- ICAO declares Russia violated international air law in the 2014 MH17 incident.
- 298 people, including 196 Dutch citizens, died when the plane was shot down over Ukraine.
- The ruling follows a 2022 Dutch court decision convicting three men in absentia.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN body, has determined that Russia is responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014.
The case was brought to the ICAO in 2022 by the Australian and Dutch governments, whose citizens made up the majority of the victims.
UN Aviation Body Holds Russia Accountable for 2014 MH17 Tragedy
The ICAO’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing quest for accountability in the downing of MH17. The UN body concluded that the Russian Federation breached international law by using a missile against a civilian aircraft. This led to the deaths of 298 passengers and crew. The majority of victims were Dutch nationals, with significant casualties from Australia, the UK, Belgium, and Malaysia.
This decision follows a Dutch court ruling in 2022, which found three men guilty in absentia for their roles in the tragedy. The court identified the weapon as a Russian-made Buk missile. It was launched from an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. Despite the convictions, the individuals remain at large and have not served their sentences.
The ICAO emphasized that states must refrain from using weapons against civilian aircraft. Moreover, they reiterated that the force used against MH17 was a grave violation of international law. Australia and the Netherlands have jointly called on Russia to acknowledge its responsibility. They demand reparations to the victims’ families.
Russia has consistently denied involvement in the downing of MH17, asserting that the accusations are politically motivated. The Kremlin has rejected the ICAO’s findings. They maintain their stance that it had no role in the incident despite substantial evidence to the contrary.
The ICAO ruling reinforces the call for justice and accountability, pressing Russia to confront the consequences of its actions nearly 11 years after the MH17 tragedy.
“We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence,” — Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
