Qatar Airways Cleared of Australian Lawsuit Regarding Invasive Examinations of Women
Qatar Airways has been cleared of a lawsuit involving an incident where several female passengers were subjected to intrusive medical examinations, following the dismissal of the case by an Australian federal court on Wednesday.
Qatar Airways has been cleared of a lawsuit regarding a troubling incident involving female passengers being subjected to invasive medical examinations. The case was dismissed by an Australian federal court on Wednesday.
On October 2, 2020, 13 Australian women were traveling through Doha airport in Qatar en route to Sydney. During their layover, they were removed from their Qatar Airways flight by Qatari security officials and were subjected to physical examinations inside ambulances on the airport tarmac.
Airport authorities found a newborn baby abandoned in a bathroom, prompting a search to locate the mother.
The women on the plane were escorted off by individuals in dark uniforms, as deemed necessary by the Qatar Ministry of Interior (MOI) to identify the baby's mother, as stated in a court ruling obtained by CNN.
A picture taken on October 29, 2013 shows a terminal of Hamad International Airport in Doha. AFP PHOTO / AL-WATAN DOHA / KARIM JAAFAR == QATAR OUT == (Photo credit should read KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
On October 29, 2013, a photo was taken of a terminal at Hamad International Airport in Doha. The credit for this photo goes to KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images.
KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
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Five women who were on a Qatar flight experienced what they described as 'inappropriate' treatment after an abandoned baby was found at Doha Airport. They decided to take legal action against the airline, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), and MATAR, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways that runs Doha airport. Their lawsuit seeks damages for unlawful physical contact, false imprisonment, and the mental health effects of the incident.
The airline claimed that the individuals in dark uniforms were Qatar Ministry of Interior (MOI) police officers, not airline employees, and the nurse in the ambulance was also not employed by the airline.
Justice John Halley of the Federal Court in Sydney, New South Wales decided that the airline would not be taken to trial for the incident.
In the ruling, it was stated that the idea of Qatar Airways having control over the police officers or the nurse during the operation is unrealistic and not supported by any evidence.
Furthermore, the judge also decided that the women involved should cover the airline's legal expenses.
CNN has contacted Qatar Airways for comment.
However, the judge also ruled that the women could file a revised complaint against MATAR, the Qatar Airways subsidiary.
Damian Sturzaker, a lawyer from Marque Lawyers in Sydney, shared with CNN via email that his clients were happy about the judge's ruling to proceed with claims against the airport operator.
A picture taken on October 29, 2013 shows a terminal of Hamad International Airport in Doha. AFP PHOTO / AL-WATAN DOHA / KARIM JAAFAR == QATAR OUT == (Photo credit should read KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
A terminal of Hamad International Airport in Doha is shown in a picture taken on October 29, 2013. The photo credit belongs to KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images.
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Australian women to sue Qatar over forced invasive examinations at Doha airport
Sturzaker stated that the decision to exclude QATAR Airways and the Civil Aviation Authority from the proceedings is currently under review. If there is a valid reason, an appeal will be promptly submitted.
He also mentioned that their clients have shown strong determination in facing Qatar for a significant period of time, and this determination remains unwavering.
Halley set a case management hearing for May 10, marking the next phase in a case that has turned into a diplomatic issue.
The examinations sparked anger in Australia and globally, with many comparing the actions to sexual assault.
The incident was condemned by the then-Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, as "appalling" and "unacceptable."
In 2020, the government of Qatar issued an apology for causing "any distress or infringement on the personal freedom of any traveler" due to the incident.
