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On Wednesday, Qatar expressed regret over the treatment of female travelers after Australia said the women on 10 flights underwent a full physical examination following the discovery of a newborn baby at Hamad International Airport.
Speaking about the incident for the first time, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra that “Australia’s strong objections and views” on the incident involving Australian travelers on October 2 are widely supported without going into detail.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani has ordered an investigation into the incident in which women were forced to disembark from planes at Hamad International Airport and undergo a comprehensive physical examination in ambulances.
The government communications office said in a statement that a previous baby was found in a litter box at the airport, hidden in a plastic bag and covered with trash, in what appeared to be a shocking and horrific attempt to kill the girl.
The statement said that the objective of the investigation, which was decided urgently, was to prevent the flight of the perpetrators of the heinous crime, and that “the State of Qatar” regrets any damage or assault on the personal freedoms of any traveler caused by This act.
The statement added that the baby, whose mother has not been known, is healthy and is receiving medical care in Doha.
Australian officials said at a session held by a government committee in Canberra on Wednesday that in addition to 18 women aboard a Qatar Airways jet to Sydney, nine other flights were inspected, noting that Australia is working closely with others. countries on the subject without naming those countries.
“The other countries affected (by the incident) fully agree with Australia in its views and the strength of its position,” said Francis Adamson, secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He added: “This is not normal behavior by any means, and Qataris know that it caused a state of panic … We don’t want that to happen again.”
He explained that Australia learned of the incident from an Australian diplomat who was on board the plane. He added that Australian diplomacy has not undergone the review process.
The Qatari statement said the results of the investigation into that incident will be shared with international partners.
A source familiar with the investigation told Reuters: “The Qatari investigation is aimed at determining which laws have been violated and which individuals are responsible, and recommending disciplinary action and prosecution where necessary.”
In a statement, Human Rights Watch said Qatar should ban forced gynecological exams and expressed concern about conditions that could lead to the abandonment of a girl.
