ICAO holds Russia accountable for MH17 tragedy
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialised agency of the UN, has held Russia accountable for the downing of the Malaysian plane MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. This decision paves the way for negotiations regarding compensation.
The ICAO, a UN agency, has determined that Russia bears responsibility for the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. By doing so, the Russian Federation violated the prohibition on using weapons against civilian aircraft, which resulted in the deaths of 298 people.
ICAO: Russian Federation did not adhere to its commitments
"The Russian Federation failed to uphold its obligations under international air law in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17," stated ICAO, which is headquartered in Canada, in a statement.
"This is a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones," said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, as reported by "ABC News." They note that Russia has not yet acknowledged its involvement in the incident.
Will Russia face consequences?
The Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on 17 July 2014 and was shot down on 18 July 2014 by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine, an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists who were engaged in conflict with Ukrainian forces. The disaster claimed the lives of 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and 38 Australians.
Australia and the Netherlands, which brought the case to ICAO in 2022, are demanding that Russia commence negotiations concerning compensation. "The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones," stated Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
Although ICAO lacks regulatory power, it wields moral influence and sets global aviation standards that are widely adopted by 193 member states.
Moscow previously refused extradition of convicted individuals
In November 2022, a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian in absentia for their involvement in the attack on the Malaysian passenger aircraft. Moscow described the verdict as "scandalous" and refused to extradite its citizens.
"We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct," Penny Wong told "ABC News."
According to international media, investigators from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium, and Ukraine concluded in 2023 that there are "strong indications" that Russian leader Vladimir Putin may have approved the delivery of the missile that shot down the plane.
