Latest news with #JohnHalley
Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Canada News.Net
Australian court backs women's case in Qatar strip-search scandal
SYDNEY, Australia: Five Australian women who say they were forcibly removed from a Qatar Airways flight and strip-searched by armed guards at Doha's Hamad Airport have won the right to sue the airline, after Australia's Federal Court overturned an earlier ruling on July 24. The women were among 13 Australians subjected to invasive gynecological examinations in October 2020 after a newborn baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom. The incident occurred across 10 Qatar Airways flights and sparked international outrage, damaging diplomatic ties between Australia and Qatar. In 2022, five of the affected women launched legal action in Australia against Qatar Airways, MATAR (which operates Doha airport), and Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority. They alleged violations under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability, along with claims of negligence, assault, and false imprisonment. The women say they were taken off their Sydney-bound flight at gunpoint, ordered to remove their underwear, and subjected to non-consensual physical examinations by a nurse inside ambulances on the tarmac. They are seeking damages for severe psychological harm, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2023, Justice John Halley of the Federal Court dismissed the case against Qatar Airways, arguing it had no reasonable chance of success. He also ruled that Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority was immune from prosecution under foreign state protections. However, the Full Federal Court has now ruled that the case against Qatar Airways should proceed. The judges said the matter raised complex legal issues that couldn't be decided at the early dismissal stage. "Whether or not the claims fall within the scope of the Montreal Convention is a complex issue," the court stated. "It is not suitable for summary dismissal." As a result, the lawsuit against Qatar Airways and MATAR will move forward, and both companies have been ordered to pay the women's appeal costs. Lawyer Damian Sturzaker of Marque Lawyers, who represents the women, welcomed the decision. "Our clients endured a traumatic experience that night in Doha. They deserve their day in court and compensation for their suffering," he said. The court ruling marks a significant step in the women's long fight for accountability, nearly four years after the controversial incident that drew worldwide condemnation.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Five women dragged off Qatar Airways flight & stripped searched after baby found in airport bin given green light to sue
FIVE women who were allegedly hauled off from a Qatar Airways flight by armed cops and strip-searched have won the right to sue the airline. They were among 3 CCTV shows authorities in Qatar holding a baby that was dumped in a toilet bin at Doha's Hamad Airport Credit: Nine 3 Dozens of women who were allegedly subjected to invasive examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned Credit: Nine 3 Dozens of women were allegedly hauled off from a Qatar Airways flight by armed cops in 2020 (file picture) Credit: Getty - Contributor Qatari authorities are said to have pulled women off 10 planes in Doha in 2020 and forced them to take invasive gynaecological exams. They were hunting for the mother of the newborn found abandoned in an airport bathroom bin. Some women claimed they were made to take off their underwear and subjected to non-consensual gynaecological inspections by a nurse in ambulances on the tarmac. One passenger was forced to undergo a strip search while holding her five-month-old son, the lawsuit claims. Another, who is elderly and legally blind, was directed out of the aircraft but was not subject to a search. Five Aussie women caught up in the ordeal lodged legal action against The incident made headlines around the world and sparked outrage in Australia, straining diplomatic ties with Qatar. The group of women brought claims under the Montreal Convention, which covers airline liability, as well as negligence, assault and false imprisonment. Most read in The US Sun They sought damages for the impact on their mental health , including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from the "unlawful physical contact". Federal Court Justice John Halley dismissed the claims against Qatar Airways last year. The initial court ruling said the woman had no reasonable prospect of success - and that Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority amounted to a foreign state immune from Australian law. But on Thursday, the full Federal Court overturned the ruling on Qatar Airways, saying the issue was too complex to be dismissed summarily. "Whether or not the claims come within the scope of the Montreal Convention is a matter of some complexity," the summary judgment said. "It is therefore not an issue apt to be decided at the stage of summary dismissal." The judgment allows the women to continue their lawsuit against Qatar Airways and MATAR. "Our clients endured a traumatic experience on that night in Doha, and they deserve to have their day in court and compensation for their suffering," said Damian Sturzaker, the lawyer from Marque Lawyers representing the women. "We will continue to support them as the case continues in the Federal Court." Australia 's government cited the incident as a reason to block Qatar Airways from operating more flights into the country. Read more on the Irish Sun Qatar's then prime minister, Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, at the time offered his "sincerest apologies for what some female travellers went through".
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Five women dragged off Qatar Airways flight & stripped searched after baby found in airport bin given green light to sue
FIVE women who were allegedly hauled off from a Qatar Airways flight by armed cops and strip-searched have won the right to sue the airline. They were among dozens of women who were allegedly subjected to invasive examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned at Doha's Hamad Airport. Advertisement 3 CCTV shows authorities in Qatar holding a baby that was dumped in a toilet bin at Doha's Hamad Airport Credit: Nine 3 Dozens of women who were allegedly subjected to invasive examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned Credit: Nine 3 Dozens of women were allegedly hauled off from a Qatar Airways flight by armed cops in 2020 (file picture) Credit: Getty - Contributor Qatari authorities are said to have pulled women off 10 planes in Doha in 2020 and forced them to take invasive gynaecological exams. They were hunting for the mother of the newborn found abandoned in an airport bathroom bin. Some women claimed they were made to take off their underwear and subjected to non-consensual gynaecological inspections by a nurse in ambulances on the tarmac. One passenger was forced to undergo a strip search while holding her five-month-old son, the lawsuit claims. Advertisement Another, who is elderly and legally blind, was directed out of the aircraft but was not subject to a search. Five Aussie women caught up in the ordeal lodged legal action against Qatar Airways, claiming they were assaulted and falsely imprisoned. The incident made headlines around the world and sparked outrage in Australia, straining diplomatic ties with Qatar. The group of women brought claims under the Montreal Convention, which covers airline liability, as well as negligence, assault and false imprisonment. Advertisement They sought damages for the impact on their mental health, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from the "unlawful physical contact". Federal Court Justice John Halley dismissed the claims against Qatar Airways last year. The initial court ruling said the woman had no reasonable prospect of success - and that Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority amounted to a foreign state immune from Australian law. But on Thursday, the full Federal Court overturned the ruling on Qatar Airways, saying the issue was too complex to be dismissed summarily. Advertisement "Whether or not the claims come within the scope of the Montreal Convention is a matter of some complexity," the summary judgment said. "It is therefore not an issue apt to be decided at the stage of summary dismissal." The judgment allows the women to continue their lawsuit against Qatar Airways and MATAR. "Our clients endured a traumatic experience on that night in Doha, and they deserve to have their day in court and compensation for their suffering," said Damian Sturzaker, the lawyer from Marque Lawyers representing the women. Advertisement "We will continue to support them as the case continues in the Federal Court." Australia's government cited the incident as a reason to block Qatar Airways from operating more flights into the country. Qatar's then prime minister, Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, at the time offered his "sincerest apologies for what some female travellers went through".
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Five women dragged off Qatar Airways flight & stripped searched after baby found in airport bin given green light to sue
FIVE women who were allegedly hauled off from a Qatar Airways flight by armed cops and strip-searched have won the right to sue the airline. They were among dozens of women who were allegedly subjected to invasive examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned at Doha's Hamad Airport. 3 Qatari authorities are said to have pulled women off 10 planes in Doha in 2020 and forced them to take invasive gynaecological exams. They were hunting for the mother of the newborn found abandoned in an airport bathroom bin. Some women claimed they were made to take off their underwear and subjected to non-consensual gynaecological inspections by a nurse in ambulances on the tarmac. One passenger was forced to undergo a strip search while holding her five-month-old son, the lawsuit claims. Another, who is elderly and legally blind, was directed out of the aircraft but was not subject to a search. Five Aussie women caught up in the ordeal lodged legal action against Qatar Airways, claiming they were assaulted and falsely imprisoned. The incident made headlines around the world and sparked outrage in Australia, straining diplomatic ties with Qatar. The group of women brought claims under the Montreal Convention, which covers airline liability, as well as negligence, assault and false imprisonment. They sought damages for the impact on their mental health, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from the "unlawful physical contact". Federal Court Justice John Halley dismissed the claims against Qatar Airways last year. The initial court ruling said the woman had no reasonable prospect of success - and that Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority amounted to a foreign state immune from Australian law. But on Thursday, the full Federal Court overturned the ruling on Qatar Airways, saying the issue was too complex to be dismissed summarily. "Whether or not the claims come within the scope of the Montreal Convention is a matter of some complexity," the summary judgment said. "It is therefore not an issue apt to be decided at the stage of summary dismissal." The judgment allows the women to continue their lawsuit against Qatar Airways and MATAR. "Our clients endured a traumatic experience on that night in Doha, and they deserve to have their day in court and compensation for their suffering," said Damian Sturzaker, the lawyer from Marque Lawyers representing the women. "We will continue to support them as the case continues in the Federal Court." Australia's government cited the incident as a reason to block Qatar Airways from operating more flights into the country.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Australian Women Strip-Searched On Qatar Airways Win Right To Sue Airline
Sydney: Five Australian women who say they were pulled from a Qatar Airways flight by armed guards and strip-searched have won the right to sue the airline, after a court on Thursday overturned an earlier decision to throw out the case. Women on 10 Qatar Airways flights, including 13 Australians, were subjected to invasive examinations to see if they had recently given birth after a newborn baby was found abandoned at Doha's Hamad Airport in October 2020. The incident made headlines around the world, sparked outrage in Australia and strained diplomatic ties with Qatar. A group of five women on a Sydney-bound flight launched legal proceedings in 2022 against Qatar Airways, the operator of Doha Airport MATAR, and Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority. They brought claims under the Montreal Convention, which covers airline liability, as well as negligence, assault and false imprisonment. The women sought damages for the impact on their mental health, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from the "unlawful physical contact". After being escorted off their flight by armed Qatari authorities, some women claimed they were made to take off their underwear and subjected to non-consensual gynaecological inspections by a nurse in ambulances on the tarmac. Federal Court Justice John Halley dismissed the claims against Qatar Airways last year, finding they had no reasonable prospect of success, and that Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority amounted to a foreign state immune from Australian law. On Thursday, the full Federal Court overturned the ruling on Qatar Airways saying the issue was too complex to be dismissed summarily. 'Whether or not the claims come within the scope of (the Montreal Convention) is a matter of some complexity,' the summary judgment said. 'It is therefore not an issue apt to be decided at the stage of summary dismissal.' The judgement allows the women to continue their lawsuit against Qatar Airways and MATAR. Both companies were ordered to pay the costs of the appeal. 'Our clients endured a traumatic experience on that night in Doha, and they deserve to have their day in court and compensation for their suffering,' said Damian Sturzaker, the lawyer from Marque Lawyers representing the women. 'We will continue to support them as the case continues in the Federal Court.'
