SYDNEY: A group of Australian women who were subjected to strip searches at Doha Airport in 2020 have lost their legal bid against Qatar Airways, as ruled by an Australian court on Thursday.
The incident, which caused international outrage, involved Qatari authorities pulling women off 10 planes at Doha Airport to undergo invasive gynecological exams. This action was taken as authorities were searching for the mother of a newborn found abandoned in an airport bathroom.
Three Australian women involved in the searches filed legal action against Qatar Airways, alleging assault and false imprisonment during the ordeal. However, the case was dismissed by an Australian judge on the basis that the searches did not occur onboard the aircraft, citing an international convention governing airline liability.
Justice John Halley suggested that the claim could be amended to seek damages against the operator of Doha Airport.
This incident raised concerns about Qatar’s treatment of women, particularly as the Gulf state was gearing up to host the 2022 football World Cup. In response, Australia’s government restricted Qatar Airways from expanding its flight operations into the country.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani later extended “sincerest apologies” to the affected female travelers for their distressing experience.
