Women at Doha airport were removed from flights and forced to undergo invasive internal inspection in an ambulance on the tarmac

[ReplacementPlasticUterus]

I can't quite believe this.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-54682565

They baby may not still be alive according to some news reports

I think the reports are scant on detail because they primarily come from the 13 Australian women involved. Who weren't told anything before being forced to remove their underwear and subjected to 'examination'.

I can't find anything else on it - it all comes from the original Australian Seven News report.

Surely this is just outright assault though? Right?

I've witnessed women being taken aside in Abu Dhabi and Kota Bahru airports. I was under the impression that it's the risk you run if your attire doesn't meet local standards.

Not that it makes it any better but it doesn't mention whether the examinations were done by female staff.

If not, how does this square with the idea of refusing to shake a woman's hand because of religious beliefs? The majority religion in Qatar is Islam.

I'm not surprised..they force virginity tests and all sorts in the middle east..but because they messed with western women they may get a slap on the wrist.

@Nandakanda

I've witnessed women being taken aside in Abu Dhabi and Kota Bahru airports. I was under the impression that it's the risk you run if your attire doesn't meet local standards.

It was nothing to do with how they were dressed though. It was just because they were women. And a woman had 'done a thing' so they pulled women off flights, detained them and forcibly examined them.

@Pertella

I never understand why they want to find the mothers of abandoned babies.

Because she may need medical assistance, or be in need of police/legal help herself.

Surely in those countries the chance of the mother being killed by her family is higher than her needing immediate medical attention?

As appalling as the act itself is it doesn't make me shocked and horrified because its doha, we all know what the state of play is for women there and seemingly as a world we have decompartilised that particular human rights horror as acceptable or 'concerning'.

What we as individuals should be concerned about it's the Australian government's luke warm response. If this was men that were subjected on masses to a medical exam they would shut the air corridor.

The horror of what women combat in the middle east is spreading west. We've ignored the plight of women globally at our own peril. Patriarchy is a cancer that will always spread.

What we as individuals should be concerned about it's the Australian government's luke warm response. If this was men that were subjected on masses to a medical exam they would shut the air corridor.

Spot on @LouHotel

It looks as though it wasn't only Australian women though - it's just they were the only ones to report their treatment. Or only the Australian press care enough to report it.

It's such a hideous and frightening line of thought that led to thinking that assaulting those women was the way forward.

That's really distressing to read. Including the wholly inadequate response to it.

I can't even tolerate basic medical care since I was assaulted. If something like that had been done to me I truly think it would have tipped me over the threshold between just about tolerating living with trauma and ending my life.

I want to believe the women who were subjected to that will have had decent support and won't be traumatised, but it seems highly unlikely there won't be any who will be severely affected.

Distressing and terrifying and sickening.

That’s a very fair point Louhotel.

Is there any information on the Australian’s government response? Any Aus women’s groups advocating for the women? Equivalent of CWJ or something - do they have an international arm or sister group?

@Plussizejumpsuit

Wow just awful. I do also feel that people should be aware of terrible human rights records when travelling places. In no way are the people who were examined responsible. But personally I would not go to a county where women are treated like this.

Passengers on longhaul flight transit throughroutes and airports arranged dictated by the airline. If you're flying to Australia , many flight changes and refuels happen in countries which have very different laws, cultures and social attitudes to women, than Western countries. . As you pass through such an airport you WILL be subject to that country's laws and requirements (and punishments if you cross the line. ).

In their laws or visa conditions there will be something saying they must comply if so asked by the states officials.abortion is illegal there and punished by imprisonment and a dead baby is a cause for investigation. It would be a criminal matter. It was urgent that they investigate in a timely matter as they just wouldnt find the woman if the airplanes for the relevant terminal toilets they found the baby in had taken off. Another lengthy option would have been to detain them and further delay the travel. It was quicker and cheaper to force an examination. It's all awful im not defending it but can see how it all played out. In islam from the 4th montj of pregnancy the baby is considered to have a soul. Anyway this is why i would never ever again visit the middle east.

Good points 2bazookas about transits! Yikes!

What a great place to hold the Football World Cup in 2022

Bastion of human rights (unless you are a women or a guest worker).

I expect there’s already a movement to boycott the world
Cup anyway?

"It was nothing to do with how they were dressed though. It was just because they were women. And a woman had 'done a thing' so they pulled women off flights, detained them and forcibly examined them."

• I appreciate that. The point I was attempting to make was that they do what they want arbitrarily.

@Nandakanda

"It was nothing to do with how they were dressed though. It was just because they were women. And a woman had 'done a thing' so they pulled women off flights, detained them and forcibly examined them."

• I appreciate that. The point I was attempting to make was that they do what they want arbitrarily.

Indeed.

What would have happened if they had refused the exam?

@user102740264923

That's really distressing to read. Including the wholly inadequate response to it.

I can't even tolerate basic medical care since I was assaulted. If something like that had been done to me I truly think it would have tipped me over the threshold between just about tolerating living with trauma and ending my life.

I want to believe the women who were subjected to that will have had decent support and won't be traumatised, but it seems highly unlikely there won't be any who will be severely affected.

Distressing and terrifying and sickening.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you are receiving some help in dealing with your trauma.

The Australian reports do mention that the women were offered medical and psychological care during their 2 week quarantine in Australia.

How those who weren't offered such care at their destination have fared is anyone's guess.

We only know about the Australian women. What about other woman - that may have refused?

Right so a woman give birth unaided. She wouldn’t come forward. They knew she was from one flight, so they decided to examine all women.

Who knows exactly how the women were examined and surely if the woman was one of those who’s given birth, she would soon be caught.

I don’t think it’s right that this should be ignored - wouldn’t the mothers live he at risk due to the placenta not coming out, maybe loss of blood etc.

Plus we don’t know the state of the baby.

No, they haven't.
Baby alive and being cared for.
Au Govt raising concerns with Qatar about treatment of the women. DFAT conducting diplomatic inquires.