Australia demands answers from Qatar ambassador over ‘grossly disturbing’ strip-searches

The government has demanded answers from the Qatar ambassador and relevant authorities after Australian women were allegedly humiliated and invasively searched at a Doha airport.

The incident occurred earlier in October at Hamad International Airport after staff discovered an infant, described as a premature baby, “abandoned” in the terminal bathroom.

Women at the airport, including 13 Australians, were allegedly removed from flights, detained and forced to undergo an inspection in an ambulance on the tarmac.

Qatari authorities allegedly forced the women to remove their underwear, before their genitals were invasively examined, without their consent.

None were told about the newborn before the strip searches began.

“This is a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne told reporters on Monday.

Payne said she was “awaiting an imminent outcome of a report” from Qatari authorities before deciding on the next steps.

“I want to see the report of what occurred at the airport and I understand that the Qatari authorities intended to make that available and then once I have seen that we will determine the next steps,” she told reporters on Monday.

She said the government had “made our views very clear” to the Qatar Ambassador Saad Abdulla AL-Mahmoud and Doha authorities.

The incident has also been reported to the Australian Federal Police.

“I understand that inquiries are still taking place with those people affected by this occurrence,” Payne added.

‘Asked to assist’
A Hamad International Airport spokesman told 7NEWS that a newborn infant was found abandoned at the airport on October 2.

“The newborn infant was immediately provided with medical attention and care,” he said.

“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 HIA.

“Individuals who had access to the specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query.”

The newborn remains unidentified, and “is safe under the professional care of medical and social workers”.

Anyone with any information is urged to come forward.