Court says women must lift veil when giving evidence

Two Muslim women will have to take off their veils when giving evidence, but they will not be exposed to general public view, a court has ruled.

Fouzya Salim and Feraiba Razamjoo are Crown witnesses in the case against the latter's brother, Abdul Razamjoo, who is charged with insurance fraud and making a false statement to police.

The women wanted to give their evidence wearing burqas during Razamjoo's defended hearing, which begins in Auckland District Court on February 24.

In a decision handed down today, the court said the women had to take off their veils before the judge, lawyers and female court staff, but they would be screened from the general public.

Mrs Salim had earlier told the court that she would rather kill herself than reveal her face while giving evidence.

Defence lawyer Colin Amery, who had argued that allowing the women to remain veiled meant the court would not be able to assess their demeanour, said he was "reasonably happy" with the decision.

"It's a partial victory for the New Zealand way of doing things and our justice system."

- NZPA