Justice in Villagio fire case failing
Because this in HIGHLY unlikely to be picked up in the local press, here is coverage of the case from the New Zealand Herald (home of the three triplets who died in the fire)
Qatar mall fire case: Charged parties ignore court date
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10833039
Some alarming highlights of the story:
The Gympanzee owner and a representative from the Municipality (two of the three defendants in the case) failed to show up for the trial. On the mall representatives appeared.
The story also reports on the report made by the investigative committee in June, which made 11 recommendations/conclusions and on which the court charges were filed.
"The committee investigating the fire found the childcare centre was not licensed by Qatar's Ministry of Social Affairs, as required by law, meaning it did not have the safety measures required for a nursery."
Security staff had no plan in place in case of a fire or proper training to deal with it.
fairly interesting if you want to hear real stories about china, chinasmack . com
I don't think anyone here is expecting anything to happen. However, there are 8 other countries involved that are waiting and watching, and expecting justice to be served.
but the more shameful is that here people are not raising their voices against it...
instead of coming forward ..all we can do is just sit in offices and home and post the comments against it..
Any time Qatar is in the news it is always linked to bad press, corruption,human rights issues etc, the list is endless and now this! Disgusting, unfair and how much lip service was paid to the families a few months ago about how the case will be looked into properly and fairly.But we are not surprised are we that this happened last week.
Its a joke... are you all seriously expecting any outcome from this..???
So, if you don't have a phone, you cannot be summoned to court? That's fukcing funny, indeed.
One rule for one, another for everyone else.
You all are surprised?? u kiddin ?
The NZ Herald states that "Attempts to reach the defendants failed because "their phones were off," a source told Doha News." (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10833039). I'm pretty sure that I had to go to court the authorities would find me rather quickly whether my phone was on or off. Just another weak and expected excuse. No surprises there. What's the point of even having a justice system that's unjust by letting people make a mockery of it?
When the Gulf Times used to be brave enough to publish the Court Roundup, there would frequently be cases of people being tried and found guilty in absentia.
What is so special about these people that if they are too scared to come to court, the case is postponed?
Is it because they aren't Asians accused of 'illicit relations'?
I believe you.
The "people" only want to know when Villagio opens again. Check on QL if you don't believe what I say.
the same government fines people for traffic violations!
this is atrocity to the core! ridiculous!
powerless aren't we the general public not only here all around the globe!
This proves that justice is not served most of the time for the expats.
I heard a lot of issues regarding legal/court case such against employee and employer for expats and only tiny chances for employee to win. where is justice.
ridicolous and shameful.
The world is watching the outcome of this trial but who cares??
(as a sympathetic observer) over 2 dozen times. It is very routine for the defendants to not show up 1, 2, 3 times before a case is ever heard. It is utterly ridiculous. Do they not have a contempt of court charge here?
Disgraceful....just typical behaviour
Nobody ever takes responsibility for their actions around here. I'm surprised that they didn't just blame the nanny. "Beyond insulting" sounds right to me. The NZ public are expecting heads to roll.
As I've said before, in China the only question would be who and how many would be shot for this.
Overall I'm not a great fan of China's judicial system, but at time like these I see its advantages.
To not even appear at the trial is beyond insulting. And before a bunch of idiots start making excuses for the defendants (such as maybe they were stuck in traffic), there was nothing preventing them from sending their lawyers or calling ahead.