DOHA- A lawsuit filed by Australian women, who were subjected to strip searches at Doha airport (DOH) before their flights, against Qatar Airways (QR) has been unsuccessful.
Qatari officials caused an outcry internationally when they removed women from 10 planes at Doha airport in 2020 and subjected them to intrusive gynecological examinations.
Lawsuit against Qatar Airways Denied
Airport authorities initiated a search for the mother of a newborn discovered abandoned in a restroom within the airport premises. As part of their protocol, they prevented the woman from reboarding the aircraft until they could ascertain her clearance.
The three Australian women caught up in the searches chose to initiate legal action against Qatar Airways, alleging that they experienced assault and wrongful detention during the incident.
However, as per a report by the news agency AFP, an Australian judge dismissed the lawsuit because the women did not undergo the search while on the aircraft, citing an international convention that regulates airline liability.
Court: Revise the Case
Federal Court Justice John Halley suggested revising their lawsuit to pursue compensation from the management of Hamad International Airport.
The event raised apprehensions about Qatar’s treatment of women, especially as the nation geared up to host numerous international visitors for the 2022 football World Cup.
Subsequently, the Australian government cited this incident as grounds for restricting Qatar Airways from expanding its flight operations into the country.
Previously, Qatar’s Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani expressed his deepest regrets for the ordeal experienced by some female travelers.
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