Fury after Qatar ‘Forcibly Examined’ Women at Airport

  • Date: 26-Oct-2020
  • Source: Naharnet
  • Sector:Transport
  • Country:Qatar
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Fury after Qatar ‘Forcibly Examined’ Women at Airport

Female passengers flying from Qatar were subjected to invasive searches after a premature baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom, in procedures the Australian government on Monday described as "grossly disturbing" and "offensive."

A number of women -- including from Australia -- were removed from their flight and examined for signs of childbirth after the baby was found in a bathroom at Hamad International in the Qatari capital.

Australia's government on Monday condemned the October 2 incident, which only came to light after Australian passengers spoke out, and said concerns had been lodged with Qatar.

"This is a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events. It is not something that I have ever heard of occurring in my life," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. 

"We have made our concerns very clear