Australian women on Qatar flight internally examined

[DC3]

What was the last word from Marise Payne about this awful incident? Anyone recall?

 

[get me outta here]

Who?

Edit, oh, this one …. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne

What was the last word from Marise Payne about this awful incident? Anyone recall?

 

[Danger]

Is the subject not people arriving internationally into Australia? And no, they operated charters but no scheduled services.

There seems to be some concern that Australia has not somehow “punished” a foreign country for actions that are not entirely surprising for that part of the world. Australia has no authority over Qatar. I sympathize with folk who had to fly on such airlines because the Australian carrier elected not to fly at all.

I'm all for giving it to Qantas when it deserves it. This is not one of those situations. To in any way draw Qantas into this issue is a very long bow indeed.

 

[DC3]

I'm all for giving it to Qantas when it deserves it. This is not one of those situations. To in any way draw Qantas into this issue is a very long bow indeed.

Agree. I’m surprised by some of the posters who are somehow managing to bring QF into this. .

 

[N860CR]

I'm all for giving it to Qantas when it deserves it. This is not one of those situations. To in any way draw Qantas into this issue is a very long bow indeed.

Not really. It’s quite valid to draw them into it. I’m sure plenty of people did not want to fly through the Middle East, however did not have an option.

My concern is more people suggesting that the Australian government should “do something” to Qatar. I’d love to know what that would be.

Again, Qatar became our “national carrier” during the pandemic.

 

[get me outta here]

I would like to know what has been done, what has been agreed, what support this group of women have had.
It’s just typical that politicians and government departments do not have to wait long before some other local scandal overtakes the news cycle. Certainly there have been no updates even after 12 months, well not enough to satisfy the women who were sexually assaulted anyway apparently.

That we changed our national carrier during the pandemic has nothing to do with it, except to possibly encourage the official silence on sexual assault of women.

Not really. It’s quite valid to draw them into it. I’m sure plenty of people did not want to fly through the Middle East, however did not have an option.

My concern is more people suggesting that the Australian government should “do something” to Qatar. I’d love to know what that would be.

Again, Qatar became our “national carrier” during the pandemic.

 

[N860CR]

I would like to know what has been done, what has been agreed, what support this group of women have had.
It’s just typical that politicians and government departments do not have to wait long before some other local scandal overtakes the news cycle. Certainly there have been no updates even after 12 months, well not enough to satisfy the women who were sexually assaulted anyway apparently.

That we changed our national carrier during the pandemic has nothing to do with it, except to possibly encourage the official silence on sexual assault of women.

Not disagreeing. But what is the Australian government supposed to do to a foreign country? Especially one we became highly reliant on.

 

[Daver6]

This hit the news last night Australian women to sue Qatar over invasive strip-search ordeal

 

[get me outta here]

One of the plaintiffs and the lawyer was interviewed on the radio this morning. She said she was marched off the plane with a ‘guard’ in front carrying what I think she called a submachine gun, and another guard behind also carrying a submachinegun. And it only got worse after that.

From The Guardian article above :

“.. the women were seeking a formal apology, compensation, and protection for future passengers transiting through the airport.”

“… the women had not been made aware of any improvements to airport procedures and their attempts to seek mediation had been unsuccessful.”

Seems as if there was no other help forthcoming from government.

 

[get me outta here]

Apparently Marque lawyers have filed proceedings against Qatar. Will be interested to hear if DFAT did / doing anything.
The BBC has just reported it.

 

[AIRwin]

Gilbert + Tobin argues for Qatar in $10m strip search case

Qatar chose a law firm known for its stance on progressive issues to argue its case against a claim by five Australian women who were dragged off a plane and strip-searched.

www.afr.com

 

[Chicken]

And now ABC radio reports that Foreign Minister Wong has called the Qataris to discuss the incident at Doha airport and the strip searches. But says the air services matter wasn’t discussed.

I guess that’s what the Foreign Minister should be doing, but it’s interesting timing.

I thought this is old news, that the government already dealt with this matter back when it happened? And this was all done and dusted and settled long time ago. No one raised it, no one said nothing, the subject matter died long time ago.

I don't believe the body search incident is a factor.

 

[justinbrett]

I thought this is old news, that the government already dealt with this matter back when it happened? And this was all done and dusted and settled long time ago. No one raised it, no one said nothing, the subject matter died long time ago.

It's currently before Australian courts.

 

[Lynda2475]

I thought this is old news, that the government already dealt with this matter back when it happened? And this was all done and dusted and settled long time ago. No one raised it, no one said nothing, the subject matter died long time ago.

Far from old news. Nothing satisfactory was done at the time, sanctions should have been implemented immediately. The Qatari government (who 100% own and operate QR) have shown no genuine remorse and victims have had to seek action via Australian courts because no avenue via courts in Qatar.

If one of your family were affected you would be so keen to give QR business let alone reward them with more customers.

Our government is right to leverage anything we can to get justice for the Aussie victims.

If QR was a privately owned airline you could separate them from the crime that occurred, but since they are government you cant. Not one QR employee objected to the women being forcibly removed from the plane without due cause. They were complicit in every way.

 

[Chicken]

Again I have no evidence but I do think it is a factor. A group of 5 women are suing QR/Qatar/QCAA over this and court proceedings are underway. QR says it is not them who did the search, Qatar is using sovereign immunity as a defence etc etc and so the case is being contested.

My sneaking suspicion is the Aus Govt action on more flights is an indirect pressure on the Qataris to settle the case and then everyone can be pals again and all forgiven and QR can operate more flights...

I didn't know about the ongoing court case, so thanks for that.

Far from old news. Nothing satisfactory was done at the time, sanctions should have been implemented immediately.

If we really want to drill this, we would being taking much bigger action e.g. like how we took China to WTO

The Qatari government (who 100% own and operate QR) have shown no genuine remorse and victims have had to seek action via Australian courts because no avenue via courts in Qatar.

It's Qatar. Sorry to say this, but what do you expect? I am as outraged as everyone else, but it's Qatar. I mean do we expect the same human rights standard as we have? It's the honest truth. It's like, if you were a woman and the Taliban detain and whip you for not having a man with you while walking down the street, it's bad, but what else could we expect?

This is why I don't fly these gulf based carriers.

Our government is right to leverage anything we can to get justice for the Aussie victims.

Then make a song and dance about it, take their government to the UN Human Rights Office, drive change. You don't drive change by being hush hush.

If this is the reason, the government could have come out and say 'We don't want them to fly here, until they apologise and pay compensation'. That would be world news and that would drive change.

If the government from both sides of politics dare to offend the Chinese government by telling the whole world not to build 5G, and risk all the $$$, I don't buy the trying to be hush hush trying not to offend the Qataris theory.

 

[oz_mark]

If QR was a privately owned airline you could separate them from the crime that occurred, but since they are government you cant. Not one QR employee objected to the women being forcibly removed from the plane without due cause. They were complicit in every way.

The women were reported to have been escorted off by guards with guns. Not sure what the crew were supposed to do,

In any case, the police officers were charged with the offences. I don't know the outcome was ever reported.

 

[Lynda2475]

This is why I don't fly these gulf based carriers.

Me either, not worth the risk.

 

[Quickstatus]

Then make a song and dance about it,

Sometimes behind the scenes is better than a song and dance.

 

[jakeseven7]

Far from old news. Nothing satisfactory was done at the time, sanctions should have been implemented immediately. The Qatari government (who 100% own and operate QR) have shown no genuine remorse and victims have had to seek action via Australian courts because no avenue via courts in Qatar.

If one of your family were affected you would be so keen to give QR business let alone reward them with more customers.

Our government is right to leverage anything we can to get justice for the Aussie victims.

If QR was a privately owned airline you could separate them from the crime that occurred, but since they are government you cant. Not one QR employee objected to the women being forcibly removed from the plane without due cause. They were complicit in every way.

100%.

I honestly feel sick reading some of the comments on this forum glossing over what happened to those women, justifying the passing of time making it ok and laughing emoticons over posts about them. Imagine if it was your mother, sister or daughter. Seriously.

There has been zero satisfactory remediation for the women who were assaulted and the politicians know that, I think Qatar (all associated with the incident) have gotten away with a lot and surprised that there was no significant action taken against them in retaliation.

Politicians know this and it’s very clearly behind the decision as an element, that’s for sure.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Story on the news channels tonight. I am sure Qantas might have made a call but I don’t think Qatar can’t just forget what happened to the 5 woman.

Minister rejected Qatar Airways bid same day she signed letter to women strip-searched at Qatari airport