Qatar apologises, investigates invasive vaginal examinations of female passengers at Doha airport

Qatar apologized Wednesday after authorities carried out invasive examinations on female passengers at Doha’s Hamad International Airport earlier this month.

“While the aim of the urgently-decided search was to prevent the perpetrators of the horrible crime from escaping, the State of Qatar regrets any distress or infringement on the personal freedoms of any traveller caused by this action,” a statement posted on a government website said.

A “comprehensive, transparent” investigation would be carried out, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani said in the statement.

What happened at Doha airport?

The 13 Australian women and five of other nationalities were removed from a Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight in Doha on October 2 after a newborn was found abandoned in an airport bathroom. The women were forced to undergo vaginal inspections, reportedly on the tarmac.

The incident sparked a diplomatic row between Australia and Qatar.

Qatar gave no explanation for searches

Qatar said it was “committed to ensuring the safety, security and comfort of all travelers transiting through the country.”

Qatar offered no immediate explanation of how officials decided to perform invasive vaginal examinations on the women.

But in the statement issued early on Wednesday, Qatar’s Government Communications Office described that authorities discovered the newborn “concealed in a plastic bag and buried under garbage” at the airport.

It called the discovery an “egregious and life-threatening violation of the law,” adding that officials were hoping to find the baby’s parents.

Human rights activists describe such examinations conducted under duress as equivalent to sexual assault.

How has Australia reacted?

Australia on Tuesday described the situation as inappropriate and beyond circumstances in which the women could give free and informed consent. Australian Federal Police also are examining the matter.

“This is a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne told reporters on Monday. “It’s not something that I’ve ever heard of occurring in my life, in any context. We have made our views very clear to Qatari authorities on this matter.”

Women’s rights in Qatar

Doha has invested heavily in social projects that include women’s health and educational initiatives. Its state-funded broadcaster Al-Jazeera also stands up for women’s rights.

But in the conservative Muslim monarchy sex and childbirth out of wedlock are still punishable by jail terms. The country has struggled to reassure critics that its promises on women’s rights, labor relations and democracy are credible.