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Head scarf-clad New Zealand Muslim woman barred from entering courtroom | A Muslim woman, who was barred from entering
a Hastings courtroom because she refused to take off her headscarf, will lodge
a complaint with the country's Human Rights Commission. Yasmeen Ali said she had
gone to the Hastings District Court on Tuesday morning to support her brother,
who was being sentenced, Hawke's Bay Today reported. When she arrived she was
allowed to stay in the courtroom for a short time, despite being asked to remove
the scarf by a court officer. However, after the morning break, when Ali tried
to go back into the courtroom, she was told that the presiding judge, Judge Geoff
Rea, had ordered that she not to be allowed in wearing the scarf. Ali said: "It
is disgusting behaviour and I should not be treated like this and I do not think
any other Muslim woman should be treated like this." A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman
said the ministry did not comment on judicial decisions. "The presiding judge
has jurisdiction over proceedings in the courtroom." Ali's brother, Carlos Manuel
Brooking, 22, was waiting to appear for sentence on a charge of common assault.
He was asked by the judge to remove his hat. Brooking removed the headdress, but
was reluctant to remove the smaller garment underneath. He then walked out of
court and was taken into custody. Later in the dock he apologised saying he had
recently become a Muslim. On the assault charge he was sentenced to 125 hours
of community work.
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