Muslim's barring a mistake, says judge

Yasmeen Ali

New Zealand courts do not discriminate against Muslims, says Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson.

Yasmeen Ali was barred from entering a Hastings District Court courtroom on Wednesday by Judge Geoff Rea because she refused to take off her headscarf.

She had gone to court to support her brother, also a Muslim, who was being sentenced on an assault charge.

Judge Johnson said the judge had barred Ms Ali as a result of a misunderstanding and the public could be reassured judges were sensitive to Bill of Rights provisions against discrimination.

"The judge's information was that she was protesting against the court, which had just previously required the removal of her brother from the courtroom."

Judges had the power to remove people from their courtrooms for being disruptive or showing disrespect, Judge Johnson said.

"In this case, the judge freely admits he was mistaken about what the woman was doing, and she would not have been barred from the court simply because of her Muslim head-dress."

Judge Rea had earlier asked Ms Ali's brother Carlos Manuel Brooking, 22, to remove his "hat", which he did.

But Brooking was reluctant to remove the smaller garment underneath and walked out of court. He later apologised.

Ms Ali was stopped from re-entering the court after the incident and was told Judge Rea had ordered that she not be allowed in wearing the scarf.

- NZPA