Official: Russia responsible for Malaysia Airlines catastrophe – will anyone be held accountable?
On 9 July, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a landmark ruling, holding Russia responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which killed all 298 people on board. This marks the first time an international court has officially held Russia accountable for the tragedy.
Flight MH17, a Boeing 777, was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was struck over eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region by a Russian-made Buk missile fired by pro-Russian separatists, according to Meduza.
The attack was found to be deliberate
The court found the missile attack was deliberate and that the aircraft was likely mistaken for a military target. The ruling stated that the Kremlin violated four fundamental rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to life. Russia not only shot down the plane but also failed to carry out an adequate investigation, refused to cooperate with international investigators, and denied any involvement, causing further suffering for the victims’ families.
No legal recourse from Russia
The court emphasised that Russia did not provide any legal recourse for the victims’ families, exacerbating the tragedy’s aftermath. However, the Russian government considers the ruling invalid and refuses to comply with the decision, consistent with its long-standing non-compliance with ECHR judgments.
An earlier international investigation concluded that the missile system was transported from Russian territory to the separatists and that the operation was likely approved by President Vladimir Putin. Russia’s denial of involvement and lack of cooperation have heightened international tensions, especially amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia held accountable but does not recognise ruling
According to The Guardian, the ECHR’s ruling not only sets a precedent for the MH17 case but also holds Russia accountable for broader human rights violations committed during its war against Ukraine. These include killings, torture, and other atrocities. It is the first international legal decision to formally condemn Moscow for its full-scale invasion that began in 2022.
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra called the ruling an important step toward justice, reinforcing Russia’s responsibility for the tragedy and the additional suffering inflicted on the victims’ families. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declared that Russia does not recognise the court’s ruling in any form and will not enforce it.
The MH17 tragedy and the subsequent international legal proceedings continue to strain global relations, particularly between Europe and Russia. Families of the victims continue to demand justice and accountability as tensions in the region remain dangerously high.
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