'Gross violation': Australian women invasively searched at Doha airport after 'fetus' found
Thirteen Australian women have been subjected to invasive physical searches, without their consent, after reports airport terminal staff in Doha discovered a fetus or premature baby abandoned in a bathroom.
In a Seven News report independently confirmed by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, it's alleged women on board the QR908 flight from Doha to Sydney earlier this month were detained without explanation and forced to remove their underwear for a genital examination that took place in an ambulance on the tarmac.
Women on the Qatar Airways flight to Sydney were subjected to invasive physical searches. Credit:Krisztian Bocsi
The incident has prompted intervention from the Australian government, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade indicating in a statement on Sunday it has formally registered "serious concerns" about the incident with Qatari authorities.
"The Australian government is aware of concerning reports regarding the treatment of female passengers, including Australian citizens, at Doha (Hamad) airport in Qatar," a spokesman for DFAT said.
"We have formally registered our serious concerns regarding the incident with Qatari authorities and have been assured that detailed and transparent information on the event will be provided soon."
The incident is not under investigation by the Australian Federal Police. In a statement, the AFP said it is aware of media reports and is engaging with DFAT on the matter.
Director of Amnesty International Australia, Samantha Klintworth, told Seven News that what's occurred is "distressing and disturbing and it is a gross violation of these women’s human rights".
"There needs to be a thorough and independent investigation and all of those involved need to be held to account," she said.
The 13 women had been in hotel quarantine in Sydney but have since been sent home. NSW Police, which runs the hotel operation, has been approached for comment.
Comment has also been sought from Qatar Airways.
More to come.
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Jenny Noyes is a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald.
Anthony is foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.