India has become a country with secret trials and secret executions ...
In India, courts have conducted secret trials in important cases where the death penalty has been awarded for rape, one example being the recently concluded gang-rape trial of the December 16, 2012 incident. The victim was already dead so the secret trial was not for her benefit or to spare her further trauma. Such secret trials are unconstitutional and violate all human rights law including international human rights law. Yet, no one in India is asking why this trial was not held in open court.
By contrast, look at the televised trial of Oscar Pistorius in South Africa with a live audio broadcast as well.
"The trial of Oscar Pistorius over the Valentine's Day killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp will be partially televised, but his testimony will not be shown.
The double amputee, known as the Blade Runner, is accused of killing Ms Steenkamp in a shooting at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, last February.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Judge Dunstan Mlambo said cameras would be able to "obtain a video and audio recording of the permitted portions" - the opening arguments, prosecution witnesses, closing arguments, the verdict and sentencing.
However, cameras will not be able to film the 26-year-old Olympic champion, defence witnesses or anyone else who objects to being on camera.
A live audio broadcast of the trial, which begins on Monday and is set to hear from more than 100 witnesses, will be permitted throughout.
Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford said the decision was being hailed as "groundbreaking" by the South African media.
The judge is "making sure everyone, whoever you are, rich or poor, famous or completely anonymous, can listen and watch this trial and see justice is done", she said."
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