Minister to take steps against sitting lawyer

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Junior justice minister Nebahat Albayrak has told the Dutch law society she will take steps to force lawyers to stand up for judges if the society fails to take such action itself.

Albayrak was referring to the case of orthodox Muslim lawyer Mohammed Enait who refuses to stand for judges as is customary in Dutch courts because he says in Islam all men are equal. He was given a formal warning about his behaviour in May.

But last week, the profession's disciplinary council tore up the warning, saying that as well as showing respect for the law, Enait should also be entitled to expect respect for an 'authentic system of beliefs'.

Albayrak told MPs she would come up with 'appropriate measures' if the profession fails to take action. Such rituals as standing in courts serve to ' emphasis values and authority', she said.

© DutchNews.nl

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