Australian Women Fail to Sue Qatar Airways Over Invasive Examinations
In a disappointing turn of events, five Australian women who were subjected to strip-searches and invasive examinations at Doha airport have been unsuccessful in their attempt to sue Qatar Airways.
Incident Sparks Outrage and Condemnation
The women were singled out and removed from a flight to be checked for signs of recent childbirth after a baby was discovered abandoned in an airport bin in 2020. This incident sparked public outrage and condemnation from several nations.
Legal Setback for the Women
An Australian court ruled that the state-owned airline was immune from foreign prosecution, leaving the five women with no legal recourse. They had filed a claim in the Federal Court of Australia seeking damages for the alleged “unlawful physical contact” and false imprisonment, which had taken a toll on their mental health.
Montreal Convention and Global Travel Laws
The court cited the Montreal Convention, a multilateral treaty that governs airline liability in cases of passenger injury or death, as a key factor in its decision. It also noted that Qatar Airways and its staff could not be held responsible for the actions of Qatari authorities and medical personnel.
Pursuing Legal Action Against a Subsidiary
While the lawsuit against Qatar Airways was dismissed, the women were granted permission to pursue their claim against Matar, a subsidiary of the airline that operates Hamad International Airport. They argue that Matar employees failed to prevent the invasive searches and owed them a duty of care.
Seeking Accountability and Change
The women, who have spoken out about their traumatic experiences, are seeking a formal apology from Qatar and changes to airport procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They hope that by sharing their story, they can ensure that no woman has to endure the same mistreatment they faced.
