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2 November, 2020

Payne welcomes Qatar government’s apology for “unacceptable” airport examination, as investigation gets underway

By Alexandra Coulton

Qatar’s prime minister has promised that those responsible for the invasive medical examinations inflicted on women at Hamad airport earlier this month will be held to account.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said at a press conference over the weekend that the Australian government welcomed the acknowledgement and the investigative process promised by the Qatari Government.

“We understand that matters will be referred in the Qatari legal system to the public prosecution office, and we hope that that will be a transparent and appropriate and proportionate process in relation to this matter,” Payne said.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz al-Thani posted to Twitter about the incident on Friday.

“We regret the unacceptable treatment of the female passengers at HIA,” he said.

“I assure you that we will hold those responsible for these acts to account. What took place does not represent Qatar’s laws or values. We will undertake all measures to prevent a recurrence.”

The national carrier of Qatar has received widespread criticism after women on 10 different aircraft, including 18 Australian women, were subject to invasive medical examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned in a terminal at Hamad International Airport.

Payne said it was important the legal processes be allowed to take their courses in Qatar.

“I understand that they have identified those people who were involved, and that will take its appropriate course through the Qatari legal system,” she said.

“We are very grateful that the Qatari Government has taken these steps to identify the individuals involved, to apply the appropriate provisions of the Qatari legal system, and importantly to provide an assurance that this will never happen again.

“It is a very important international airport. It’s one I have used myself in the past. …[It is] very disturbing and indeed, as I said earlier in the week, an offensive event to have happened to the people involved, and I am very grateful for the assurance that has been provided by the Qatari authorities that such an event would never happen again.”

Payne said she spoke with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Al Thani who conveyed his “sincere apology in relation to these matters” and his assurances that the matter will be addressed through the Qatari legal system.

Payne also told journalists she understands the baby found at the airport is well and being looked after, however, she said she does not have details about the mother.

Featured image source: Facebook/Marise Payne

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