Niqab ruling: the Australian judge's decision in full Read moreThe issue was first raised by Elzahed’s counsel, Clive Evatt, during the hearing on Tuesday. Counsel for the NSW police, Michael Spartalis, said it was their preference that she gave evidence without her face covered. But the decision to exclude her evidence could also later form a potential ground for judicial review by the NSW supreme court. The circumstances in which Muslim women who wear the niqab give evidence in court has been the subject of considerable debate in countries overseas. Canada’s supreme court eventually ruled that the trial judge had not appropriately taken into account the woman’s religion.

Source: The Guardian December 01, 2016 02:53 UTC