What she actually said:
“The executive’s interference in the work of the judiciary, particularly in cases involving high-level persons or businesses, is still a matter of concern,” she said.
Violations of due process and fair trial guarantees in the country, and the consequences that such violations often have on individuals’ lives and respect for their human right, were troubling, she said.
“I am particularly concerned at the situation of people in vulnerable situations, including women, migrants and domestic workers, who face additional hurdles when seeking to access justice,” said Ms. Knaul. She pointed to the reported discriminatory treatment of non-Qataris in the justice system, noting that the State is obliged under international human rights law to guarantee the right to a fair trial for all individuals within its jurisdiction regardless of nationality.
“I heard of a case where the defendant, a foreign national who did not speak Arabic, was made to sign a document in Arabic that included an admission of guilt. I also heard of cases where the defendant was not provided with interpretation during court hearings.
“Such obvious violations of due process are unacceptable, any document or testimony given in the absence of translation or interpretation should have no legal validity,” Ms. Knaul said, calling on authorities to take immediate measures to investigate seriously and redress violations of due process and fair trial.
She also highlighted the apparent lack of transparency and access to information in judicial proceedings, including during the investigation phase. To address this, she recommended that Qatar should, among other measures, urgently adopt modern technology tools, record all hearings, and publicise all judicial decisions and cases. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47011&Cr=qatar&Cr1=#.UvCoFT...
Why does the Gulf Times keep lying and writing false reports?
What the Gulf Times claims she said:
"Qatar’s judicial independence hailed"
http://www.gulf-times.com/Mobile/Qatar/178/details/379125/Qatar%E2%80%99...
What she actually said:
“The executive’s interference in the work of the judiciary, particularly in cases involving high-level persons or businesses, is still a matter of concern,” she said.
Violations of due process and fair trial guarantees in the country, and the consequences that such violations often have on individuals’ lives and respect for their human right, were troubling, she said.
“I am particularly concerned at the situation of people in vulnerable situations, including women, migrants and domestic workers, who face additional hurdles when seeking to access justice,” said Ms. Knaul. She pointed to the reported discriminatory treatment of non-Qataris in the justice system, noting that the State is obliged under international human rights law to guarantee the right to a fair trial for all individuals within its jurisdiction regardless of nationality.
“I heard of a case where the defendant, a foreign national who did not speak Arabic, was made to sign a document in Arabic that included an admission of guilt. I also heard of cases where the defendant was not provided with interpretation during court hearings.
“Such obvious violations of due process are unacceptable, any document or testimony given in the absence of translation or interpretation should have no legal validity,” Ms. Knaul said, calling on authorities to take immediate measures to investigate seriously and redress violations of due process and fair trial.
She also highlighted the apparent lack of transparency and access to information in judicial proceedings, including during the investigation phase. To address this, she recommended that Qatar should, among other measures, urgently adopt modern technology tools, record all hearings, and publicise all judicial decisions and cases.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47011&Cr=qatar&Cr1=#.UvCoFT...
Why does the Gulf Times keep lying and writing false reports?