Trinidad & Tobago Court Advertises For Input On Whether Juror Can Wear Burka

The High Court in Trinidad & Tobago is taking an unusual approach to the question of whether a Muslim woman wearing a burka may serve as a juror. Trinidad & Tobago Express and Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday today both report on the decision of High Court Judge Joan Charles to run advertisements in newspapers once a week for the next two weeks inviting religious organizations and other interested parties to submit their views on the matter. The issue arose in December when a woman was discharged from jury service after she refused to lift the veil on her burka to allow her face to be seen by the defendant throughout the trial, as Judge Charles claimed was required.