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Australia has condemned the Qatari authorities for “extremely disturbing” reports that women were subjected to invasive strip searches prior to a flight from Doha to Sydney.
The women, including 13 Australians, were searched in an ambulance after a newborn baby was found abandoned in a bathroom at the Hamad International Airport terminal on October 2.
Australia’s department of foreign affairs described the group’s treatment as inappropriate and beyond the circumstances in which they could give their free and informed consent.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the events were ‘disturbing’
“This is a tremendously disturbing, offensive and worrying set of events,” said Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
“It is not something that I have heard happening in my life, in any context.
“We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter.”
Australia will wait for a report from the Qatari government before determining next steps, Payne said.
The management of Hamad International Airport said the baby was safe and was being cared for by medical and social workers.
Medical professionals were concerned for the mother’s health after the baby was found and requested to be located, the airport said in a statement.
“People who had access to a specific area of the airport where the newborn was found were asked to assist in the consultation,” the statement added.
The women were taken off the delayed Qatar Airways flight and examined in an ambulance parked on the runway, Australia’s Seven News Network reported.
Wolfgang Babeck, who was returning home to Australia on the flight, said the women were removed from the plane regardless of their age.
“When the women came back, many or probably all of them were upset. One of them was crying, she was a younger woman, and people couldn’t believe what had happened,” Babeck told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“They told me they had to remove their underwear or bottoms and then it was inspected if they had given birth.”
State-owned Qatar Airways told Guardian Australia that none of the passengers on the flight had contacted her and said she could not comment.
“We appreciate the concerns and distress expressed to you by the Australian passengers you have spoken with and that we will investigate these matters with the relevant authorities and officials,” a spokeswoman said.
