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Australia Says Invasive Search Of Women At Qatar Airport Referred To Police

Female passengers, set to fly to Australia, were searched after Qatari authorities found a premature baby in an airport bathroom.
View of departures area at Hamad International airport in Doha, Qatar.
Reuters
View of departures area at Hamad International airport in Doha, Qatar.

Content warning: readers may find this article confronting.

An incident at Doha airport in which Australian women were subjected to an invasive search on the tarmac after the discovery of an abandoned newborn baby in the terminal has been referred to Australian Federal Police, Australia said.

Women from the Qatar Airways flight, including 13 Australians, were forced to undergo a medical examination in an ambulance on the tarmac after the newborn was found in a bathroom at the Hamad International Airport, Seven News reported.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne confirmed on Monday the women had contacted the Australian government at the time of the incident, earlier this month, and the Australian government had taken up the matter with the Qatari Ambassador.

She said the “extraordinary incident” had also been reported to the Australian Federal Police.

“This is a grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events. It is not something I have ever heard of occurring in my life, in any context. We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities,” Payne told media.

Hamad Airport has issued a statement saying the newborn remained unidentified and was receiving medical care.

“On 2 October 2020, a newborn infant was found abandoned at Hamad International Airport. The newborn infant was immediately provided with medical attention and care. Medical professionals expressed concern to officials about the health and welfare of a mother who had just given birth and requested she be located prior to departing HIA. Individuals who had access to the specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query,” said the statement provided to HuffPost Australia by Qatar Airways on behalf of Hamad Airport.

“At this time, the newborn infant remains unidentified, but is safe under the professional care of medical and social workers.”

The Australian government expected to see a report from Qatari authorities, who were still investigating the incident, by the end of the week, Payne added.

She said there were significant concerns over consent for the medical examination, adding “these are very private and personal matters”.

An earlier Australian government statement said reports indicated treatment “beyond circumstances in which the women could give free and informed consent”.

The women were provided with medical and psychological support when they arrived back in Sydney, and undertook the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine Australia requires for COVID-19 border control, a spokesman for New South Wales state Health told Reuters.

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of bleeding early into their pregnancy, see a doctor or visit your nearest emergency hospital.

If you are affected by the loss of a baby, SANDS Australia offers support through local support groups and a 24/7 phone line on 1300 072 367.

If you or someone you know needs help:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Outside of Australia, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

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