After compulsory gynecological examinations of female passengers at the airport in Doha, the government of Qatar has announced an investigation. Qatar regrets „any suffering and any impairment of personal freedoms of travelers through this action,“ it said today.
Meanwhile, the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced that women from a total of ten aircraft had been subjected to the forced examinations. The occasion was the discovery of a baby wrapped in plastic in an airport toilet.
„Invasive Body Searches“
Several air travelers, including Australian women, were removed from a Qatar Airways plane earlier this month and examined for signs of recent confinement. From informed circles in Doha it was said that the women had „been subjected to invasive body searches“. They were forcibly given a swab from the cervix. The Australian government condemned the „gross“ and „offensive“ actions on Monday.
In view of the imminent damage to its image, Qatar said today that the aim of the „quick search“ was to prevent those responsible for „the terrible crime“ from escaping. Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulasis Al-Thani ordered an investigation, the results of which would be communicated to international partners.
The incident could damage Qatar’s reputation in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup, which is set to take place in the Gulf emirate. Then tens of thousands of visitors from abroad are expected in the country.
