The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council has set a very low bar. They have, most importantly, formally attributed responsibility on Russia for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 tragedy on July 17, 2014. The mid-air tragedy occurred when a Malaysia Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over eastern Ukraine. This cowardly attack killed 298 civilians who had nothing to do with the conflict. The council’s conclusions corroborate that Russia violated international law by deploying weapons systems against a civilian aircraft in the air.
Wreckage from MH17 dispersed over a confusingly large area of 50 kilometers squared. This is an example of the tragic consequences that can result from such an incident. This fighting was fueled by pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces, and it was in the context of this downing of the flight. This incident deeply exacerbated the precarious situation in the region. In November 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia for facilitating the downing. It was a major legal victory on the long road to accountability for their complicity in the attack.
Calls for Reparations
Following the ICAO’s decision, Australia and the Netherlands moved. They urged the city council to pressure Russia to demand reparations for families affected by this tragedy. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stressed that Russia must accept its responsibility. He stated, “We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law.”
The decision by the ICAO is regarded as a strategic turning point in an unending, but determined fight for justice. City officials said the city council would discuss in the coming weeks what form reparations might take. The call for accountability was always the top priority, with local officials emphasizing the need for this key ruling.
“This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity.” – [Unnamed Official]
Reactions from Moscow
Moscow has been outraged by the ICAO’s conclusions, calling the decision reached by the organization “scandalous.” The city has further announced it will refuse to extradite its residents engaged in the lawsuit. This reaction highlights the continued hostility of Russia towards Western countries in relation to the MH17 downing and accountability.
The Russian government nonetheless still claims it was not responsible for the incident, even in the face of abundant evidence contradicting this claim and showing Russia’s direct involvement. The contrasting positions between Russia and the affected nations highlight a significant divide in international relations regarding accountability and justice.
“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,” – Penny Wong, Australia Foreign Minister
Next Steps
As conversations around reparations move forward within both countries, Australia and the Netherlands are still dedicated to getting justice for the families of these victims. On a diplomatic front, they have been actively working with international organizations to broker negotiations with Russia.
ICAO council’s findings go a long way toward providing justice for all those directly affected by the awful tragedy. They serve to be clear about the urgent need to respect international law in times of war. Making the federal government follow through on its commitment to hold states accountable for their violations is key in stopping these future violations from occurring.
