Rights groups blast new Gaza courtroom 'modesty' rules

Maan
A decision by the Hamas-run judiciary in Gaza to force so-called modest dress on female lawyers is "illegal and unjustified," the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said on Sunday.

If carried out, the decree, which also forces male attorneys to wear a standard uniform, would require that female lawyers wear traditional robes and veils covering their hair while in Gaza's courtrooms.

"[T]his decision constitutes a violation of the law and an unjustified intervention into lawyers' affairs," the rights group said in a statement to Ma'an. "It also undermines personal freedoms and women's rights."

......... The PCHR said that the decision violates both the Basic Law and laws in general. "[A]ssigning a special uniform for female lawyers...constitutes a form of discrimination against women and undermines personal freedoms ensured by the constitution."

"Deciding the clothing of lawyers is not of the authority of chief justice of the High Court of Justice or judges," the group said, noting that the Palestinian Bar Association has always determined courtroom dress.

The Palestinian Democratic Coalition for Lawyers demanded the decision be immediately reversed, saying, "This decision is a contravention and violation of the public's freedoms." It too said the decree likely violates the Basic Law.

Hamas has insisted for years that it would not impose Islamic law on the coastal strip, and the de facto government's court system has generally stayed within the legal codes established by the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority.

But some residents of Gaza in recent weeks have complained that Hamas-affiliated security forces were unofficially enforcing so-called modesty codes, particularly at the beach.

Hamas has responded by saying it only enforces societal norms, and that Gaza is a conservative society. Many Palestinian women already cover their hair by choice, but the latest decision would be the first time even a semi-official government body had attempted to dictate women's dress.

De facto Minister of Justice Mohammad Faraj Al-Ghoul played down the reports, saying that "imposing a lawyers' outfit is something that happens all over the world," but adding that in any case the Gaza-based ministry had nothing to do with the decision.

"We [at the de facto Justice Ministry] support legal sovereignty and an independent judiciary," the minister added, reiterating that the decision had not come from his ministry. "I think the uniform issue was a clearly legal decision from the [de facto] High Court."... Full story