Legal marathon

In a globally recognized decision, the Federal Court has now opened the door for 5 Australian women to sue the respected Qatar Airlines for violating their human dignity.

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2015, file photo, a new Qatar Airways Airbus A350 approaches the gate at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Source: AP / Michael Probst/AP/AAP Image

Anwalt Dr. Wolfgang Babeck

On October 2, 2020, women on ten aircraft were initially arrested on the runway at Doha Airport and forced out of the aircraft by Qatari security forces at gunpoint and without giving any reason, including the five Australians who were on their way to Sydney. The women were taken to ambulances parked on the tarmac, were supposed to remove their underwear and had to undergo an invasive compulsory gynecological examination.

The reason for the operation is said to have been the discovery of a newborn child in a plastic bag in the airport waiting room. Extensive investigations were ordered in order to find the mother. Attorney Dr. Wolfgang Babeck, who reported the incident to this program at the time, was also on board the Qatar Airlines flight to Sydney.

It has now taken years before the Australian plaintiffs were finally granted the right to sue Qatar Airways, although it should be noted that this was only possible after another court overturned an earlier decision that had dismissed the case. And we must recognize that the Australian Federal Court's ruling is only a partial victory for women, because although the airline can be prosecuted, not the state of Qatar, which entrenches itself behind its sovereignty. Dr. Wolfgang Babeck says that the women still have a long legal journey ahead of them.

Disclaimer: We would like to point out that the opinions expressed in this article represent the personal views of the interviewed/interlocutor.

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