CAIRO: Lawyer and human rights activist Negad al-Borai has hailed the Egyptian Justice Minister’s decision to remove defendant’s cages from all misdemeanor courtrooms nationwide.
“The decision complies with the constitution and the provisions of the Penal Code,” Borai said Tuesday in a phone call with Al Hayat T.V. satellite channel.
The decision also supports the legal principal that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Borai said, adding that he calls on the newly appointed Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zend to provide courtrooms at misdemeanor courts with wooden benches for defendants, especially the elderly.
On Monday, Zend ordered the removal of security cages inside misdemeanor courts and courts of first instance as of Oct. 1, which marks Egypt’s new judicial year.
The decision also involved providing separate areas with seats in the courtrooms to accommodate defendants during court sessions.
Following the decision, judicial source told Youm7 that the Justice Ministry asked the courts of first instance to form a committee to preview all the iron cages at courtrooms across the country.
There was no official comment from the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for securing courts in Egypt.