Shocking details have emerged of how women on a recent Qatar Airways flight to Australia were subjected to disturbing and personal checks on the tarmac, after a premature baby was found in a terminal bathroom at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Earlier this month, after the baby was found, concerns were raised for the mother of the child and attempts were made to locate her, requiring all planes to delay their departures.
“Medical professionals expressed concern to officials about the health and welfare of a mother who had just given birth and requested she be located prior to departing [the airport]” said a statement from officials.
Dr Babeck, who was on flight QR 908 from Doha, said that passengers were made to wait for several hours on the tarmac, before an airline official came aboard and requested that all female passengers disembark.
The passengers on board the aircraft did not know what was happening, with some believing there was a security risk.
"I thought the more vulnerable persons are being taken out and I was wondering what will happen now, are they looking for someone, are they searching the plane?" Dr Babeck told reporters. "Then some security people came onboard and looking [to see] whether passengers had been hiding on the plane."
The women who were on the flight included 13 Australians, who were told to disembark, and were then asked to remove their underwear for an invasive medical examination in the back of an ambulance parked on the tarmac.
Upon return, all the women appeared distressed, some even in tears.
"When the women came back, many of them or probably all of them were upset — one of them was in tears, a younger woman. People couldn't believe what had happened."
The Australian Government has now been made aware of the situation, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne confirmed that the Government has formally raised concerns with Qatar.
"The Australian Government is deeply concerned at the unacceptable treatment of some female passengers on a recent Qatar Airways flight at Doha Airport," she said. "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 Government has formally registered our serious concerns about this incident with Qatari authorities."
Women were forced to disembark the plane and undergo invasive 'checks' on the tarmac.
Other female senators, including Labor Senator Penny Wong, have spoken up in support of the government raising concerns with the airline, adding that "these women should never have been subjected to this outrageous violation,".
Nationals MP Joyce said it was “outrageous to think that so many ladies went through that sort of humiliation”.
The Australian Federal Police have also become involved and are engaging with DFAT but refuse to comment further.
When the women arrived back in Australia and underwent mandatory quarantine in Sydney, they were provided with medical and psychological support.
As for the baby, it is safe and receiving medical care; however, it still remains unidentified and the mother could not be found.