Australia Condemns Searches of Women at Doha Airport After Baby Found

Oct. 26—SYDNEY — Australia has raised "serious concerns" with Qatari authorities after female passengers on a flight bound for Sydney were reportedly subjected to invasive internal examinations.

The examinations reportedly happened earlier this month without the consent of the women, among whom were 13 Australians, after a premature baby was found abandoned in a bathroom at Doha Airport.

According to Seven News, women were taken off flights and "forced to remove their underwear, before their genitals were invasively examined," in an ambulance on the tarmac.

In a statement on Monday, an Australian government spokesperson said the treatment of the women was unacceptable and deeply concerning.

"The advice that has been provided indicates that the treatment of the women concerned was offensive, grossly inappropriate, and beyond circumstances in which the women could give free and informed consent," the spokesperson said.

"The government has formally registered our serious concerns about this incident with Qatari authorities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is engaged on this matter through diplomatic channels."

According to a statement from Hamad Airport, cited by national broadcaster ABC, the baby is safe and "under the professional care of medical and social workers."

Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday that the government should be demanding answers for the "disturbing" incident.

"We need more than just strong words to demonstrate how seriously we take this abuse," he said.

"The government needs to make the strongest possible protest to the government of Qatar."

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