ABC News Australia and The Guardian Australia are reporting that Qatar will refer the officials involved in the forced examinations of women at the Hamad International Airport to prosecutors.
The Qatari government also stated that those involved did not follow standard procedures and their actions were “illegal”. In a preliminary report on the incident the government said in a statement, “Those responsible for these violations and illegal actions have been referred to the public prosecution office. This incident is the first of its kind at [the airport] which has served tens of millions of passengers without any issues like this before. What took place is wholly inconsistent with Qatar’s culture and values. Qatar is fully committed to the safety and security of all travelers.”
Qatar also further apologised for the incident. “His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior expressed the Government of the State of Qatar’s sincerest apology for what some female travelers went through as a result of the measures.”
The Qatari government also said it would share the final report when it was completed.
It has since been confirmed that French and UK citizens were also subject to the forced examinations in addition to the originally reported 13 Australians.
The Qatari statement in full:
“The preliminary investigation into the attempted murder of a newborn baby found in a very serious condition at Hamad International Airport (HIA), and the subsequent procedures taken by the authorities at the airport, including examining a number of female passengers, revealed that standard procedures were violated. Those responsible for these violations and illegal actions have been referred to the Public Prosecution Office.
Following the directives of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, specialised task forces are reviewing and identifying any potential gaps in the procedures and protocols followed at Hamad International Airport, in order to address them and ensure that any violations are avoided in the future.
His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior expressed the Government of the State of Qatar’s sincerest apology for what some female travelers went through as a result of the measures.
This incident is the first of its kind at HIA, which has served tens of millions of passengers without any issues like this before. What took place is wholly inconsistent with Qatar’s culture and values. Qatar is fully committed to the safety and security of all travelers arriving to or transiting through HIA.”