Forced gynecological exams: Australians will sue Qatar – teller report

Qatar faces justice. At the end of 2020, passengers on ten Qatar Airways flights departing from Doha were subjected to gynecological examinations in order to find the mother of an abandoned baby in the airport toilet. Several months later, some plaintiffs – 7 of the 13 Australians concerned – decided to initiate proceedings against the Qatari authorities in Australian justice.

This is’“send the message to the Qatari authorities that they cannot treat women in this way”victims’ lawyer Damian Sturzaker, who hopes to obtain a formal apology, compensation and protection for passengers passing through the airport, told AFP.

For this, a complaint will be filed “in the next weeks” in Australia against the Civil Air Authority of Qatar, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways and the Qatari government. The objective of this legal action is also to raise awareness, especially among women, just a few months before the 2022 World Cup organized in the Gulf country. “They must be aware that, despite the appearance of a highly developed and modernized airport and national carrier, these events have happened and that nothing prevents them from happening again.”, says Damian Sturzaker.

Qatar is an ultra-conservative Muslim monarchy where sexual relations and procreation outside of marriage are punishable by prison terms. Faced with the threats that the incident posed to the country’s reputation, the local authorities are committed to ensuring in the future “safety and security” passengers. The Prime Minister also apologized and an airport policeman who supervised the exams was reportedly convicted. However, the country is struggling to convince skeptics of the credibility of its promises in terms of women’s rights, labor law and democracy in a context where it is preparing to welcome thousands of foreign visitors as part of the 2022 World Cup. soccer.

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