Australia's New South Wales police get new burka powers

Gerald · 07-05-11, 06:49 AM

Police in Australia's New South Wales state have been given more powers to remove burkas and other face coverings to identify crime suspects.

Anyone who refuses to show their face could now be jailed for up to a year or face a heavy fine.

The move follows the recent case of a Muslim woman who was acquitted after a judge ruled her Islamic veil made a positive identification impossible.

Islamic leaders in the state said they were comfortable with the new measure.

However, civil liberty groups expressed concern that the police were being given powers they did not need.
'Clarity and certainty'

The government of Australia's most populous state approved the changes at a meeting late on Monday.

"I don't care whether a person is wearing a motorcycle helmet, a burka, niqab, face veil or anything else, the police should be allowed to require those people to make their identification clear," Premier Barry O'Farrell said.

He added: "I have every respect for various religions and beliefs but when it comes to enforcing the law the police should be given adequate powers to make a clear identification."

Anyone in New South Wales who refuses to remove their face covering could now be fined A$5,500 (£3,672, $5,882) or put in prison for a year.

State police welcomed the change, saying it would "provide clarity and certainty for both the public and for police officers".

The Islamic Council of New South Wales said it accepted the move, while the Muslim Women's Association said it had no problem if police handled the issue sensitively, including the deployment of female police officers.

The changes come after the high-profile case of Carnita Matthews, who last year was sentenced to six months in prison for falsely accusing a policeman of trying to forcibly remove her burka during a random breath test.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14025386

Note: 5 July 2011 Last updated at 08:37 GMT

Feuer Frei! · 07-05-11, 07:07 AM

Yes, the tentacles of the French are far-reaching.
I'm curious though, what about burkas in banks?
Considering you have to remove helmets and anything that conceals your face and head.

BossMark · 07-05-11, 07:20 AM

I agree with Aussie Barry O'Farrell our government should do this but they aint got the bottle to it as it might up set the PC brigade.

Gerald · 07-05-11, 07:22 AM

Why go around, to hide your face if you live in a democratic society?, then it is them the rules that apply, where you live.

Feuer Frei! · 07-05-11, 07:27 AM

Yes and no.

There are rules and regulations in every country, agreed.
And when you mix cultures, there will be issues.
That is not new.
That is why multi-culturalism will never ever work. I am getting ot there.
As i'm typing this i am reading reader comments from a news site and what do you know?
95% of the clowns are parrots! Repeating each other's comment of: " if you don't like it, then leave".

Come up with some original stuff. And as a matter of fact, the majority of muslims actually support this new stance, so long as it is handled appropriately and with the proper respect and sensitivity.

papa_smurf · 07-05-11, 08:07 AM

Australia land of the political dinosaurs.

07-05-11, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Australia land of the political dinosaurs.

Did you actually read what the story was about? ,did you read the bit about the woman getting away with lying about the police because she was wearing a burka and the judge couldn't be sure of her identity?
You can't go in to a bank with a motorcycle helmet in so why be able to wear a full face mask? ,the law will actually cover a whole range of identity obscuring dress not just burkas!

Feuer Frei! · 07-05-11, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darius359au

about the woman getting away with lying about the police because she was wearing a burka and the judge couldn't be sure of her identity?

Yea, 2 wrongs there, she making a false claim, and the cops not id'ing her correctly.

Quote:

You can't go in to a bank with a motorcycle helmet in so why be able to wear a full face mask? ,the law will actually cover a whole range of identity obscuring dress not just burkas!

That's what i thought.

Krauter · 07-05-11, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Yes and no.

There are rules and regulations in every country, agreed.
And when you mix cultures, there will be issues.
That is not new.
That is why multi-culturalism will never ever work. I am getting ot there.
As i'm typing this i am reading reader comments from a news site and what do you know?
95% of the clowns are parrots! Repeating each other's comment of: " if you don't like it, then leave".

Come up with some original stuff. And as a matter of fact, the majority of muslims actually support this new stance, so long as it is handled appropriately and with the proper respect and sensitivity.

Sorry but I too echo the opinion that if you don't like it, then gtfo.

If someone comes to a democratic country, be it Australia, Canada, the U.S, etc, then they have to abide by their laws. I'm all for bringing your culture with you. That is, in essence one of the major factors that forms who you are. However, laws take priority over beliefs. Religions is a moral guideline that people use to discern their beliefs and their justifications for actions. Laws are in place to keep everyone safe, not just those who just arrived or those who've been in place for years.

By having these people, not just Muslims but any other immigrant person, trying to enforce "their rights" on the place they immigrated to is just silly. This is not the country you came from which persecutes or does whatever they did just to make you leave. This is a democracy. So if a person comes in and tries to enforce what they want, just to accommodate their beliefs, then put it up to a democratic vote. If the person feels so strongly about it, form a democratic party and run for elections.

Cheers,

Krauter

Jimbuna · 07-05-11, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Australia land of the political dinosaurs.

That is a fair point

07-05-11, 04:43 PM

This story is wierd, if she is such a fundy loon in the Saudii flavour why was she driving a car in the first place, why was she out of the house without a special "friend" and why is she living with some young fella that ain't her husband?

I don't know who is worse, the judge that ruled in the appeal, her brief or the prosecutor.
Still look on the brightside, it backfires for her in the long run.

Dan D · 07-05-11, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

However, civil liberty groups expressed concern that the police were being given powers they did not need.
'Clarity and certainty'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14025386

Note: 5 July 2011 Last updated at 08:37 GMT

what? (wot?)

07-05-11, 06:49 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Australia's New South Wales police get new burka powers Police in Australia's New South Wales state have been given more powers to remove burkas and other face coverings to identify crime suspects. Anyone who refuses to show their face could now be jailed for up to a year or face a heavy fine. The move follows the recent case of a Muslim woman who was acquitted after a judge ruled her Islamic veil made a positive identification impossible. Islamic leaders in the state said they were comfortable with the new measure. However, civil liberty groups expressed concern that the police were being given powers they did not need. 'Clarity and certainty' The government of Australia's most populous state approved the changes at a meeting late on Monday. "I don't care whether a person is wearing a motorcycle helmet, a burka, niqab, face veil or anything else, the police should be allowed to require those people to make their identification clear," Premier Barry O'Farrell said. He added: "I have every respect for various religions and beliefs but when it comes to enforcing the law the police should be given adequate powers to make a clear identification." Anyone in New South Wales who refuses to remove their face covering could now be fined A$5,500 (£3,672, $5,882) or put in prison for a year. State police welcomed the change, saying it would "provide clarity and certainty for both the public and for police officers". The Islamic Council of New South Wales said it accepted the move, while the Muslim Women's Association said it had no problem if police handled the issue sensitively, including the deployment of female police officers. The changes come after the high-profile case of Carnita Matthews, who last year was sentenced to six months in prison for falsely accusing a policeman of trying to forcibly remove her burka during a random breath test. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14025386 Note: 5 July 2011 Last updated at 08:37 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-05-11, 07:07 AM	#2
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Yes, the tentacles of the French are far-reaching. I'm curious though, what about burkas in banks? Considering you have to remove helmets and anything that conceals your face and head. __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

07-05-11, 07:20 AM	#3
BossMark Fleet Admiral Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 15,272 Downloads: 278 Uploads: 0	I agree with Aussie Barry O'Farrell our government should do this but they aint got the bottle to it as it might up set the PC brigade. __________________ Never trust the Tories look what Thatcher and Major did in the 80s and 90s and look what the wicked witch May is doing now doing now

07-05-11, 07:22 AM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Why go around, to hide your face if you live in a democratic society?, then it is them the rules that apply, where you live. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-05-11, 07:27 AM	#5
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Yes and no. There are rules and regulations in every country, agreed. And when you mix cultures, there will be issues. That is not new. That is why multi-culturalism will never ever work. I am getting ot there. As i'm typing this i am reading reader comments from a news site and what do you know? 95% of the clowns are parrots! Repeating each other's comment of: " if you don't like it, then leave". Come up with some original stuff. And as a matter of fact, the majority of muslims actually support this new stance, so long as it is handled appropriately and with the proper respect and sensitivity. __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

07-05-11, 08:07 AM	#6
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Australia land of the political dinosaurs. __________________

07-05-11, 04:43 PM	#11
Tribesman Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	This story is wierd, if she is such a fundy loon in the Saudii flavour why was she driving a car in the first place, why was she out of the house without a special "friend" and why is she living with some young fella that ain't her husband? I don't know who is worse, the judge that ruled in the appeal, her brief or the prosecutor. Still look on the brightside, it backfires for her in the long run.