The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Council on Tuesday held Russia accountable for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine greater than a decade in the past, a choice that might pave the best way for compensation to the households of the 298 victims.
A Dutch-led worldwide investigation concluded in 2016 that the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014, from Ukrainian territory held by separatist rebels utilizing a Buk missile system delivered from Russia. Moscow denies any involvement within the MH17 tragedy.
The Netherlands and Australian governments introduced the case towards Moscow earlier than the Montreal-based world aviation company in 2022 and on Tuesday welcomed the decision.
The International Court of Justice wasn’t an possibility as a result of Russia does not acknowledge The Hague, Netherlands-based courtroom’s jurisdiction.
The council discovered that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, referred to as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states “chorus from resorting to using weapons towards civil plane in flight.”
It’s the primary time that the council, which represents 193 member states, has determined a dispute between governments.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp mentioned that the council would take into account the query of reparations inside weeks.
“In that context, the Netherlands and Australia are requesting that the ICAO Council order the Russian Federation to enter into negotiations with the Netherlands and Australia, and that the Council facilitate this course of,” Veldkamp mentioned in a press release.
“The latter is essential with a purpose to be sure that the negotiations are carried out in good religion and in accordance with particular timelines, and that they’ll yield precise outcomes,” he added.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged the council to maneuver swiftly to “decide cures.”
“We name on Russia to lastly withstand its duty for its horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required beneath worldwide legislation,” Wong mentioned in a press release.
The Russian Embassy in Australia did not instantly reply to a request for touch upon Tuesday.
Australian National University worldwide legislation knowledgeable Don Rothwell mentioned that the council had but to publish the explanations for its choices.
“One of the results for this course of will probably be that the council will in all probability make some suggestions that Russia pay what are known as reparations, which is a global time period for damages, on account of its violation of worldwide legislation,” Rothwell mentioned.
“So now we have to attend and see precisely what the council finds on that exact level,” Rothwell added.
The Kremlin, nonetheless, rejected the ruling as “biased.” Its spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, mentioned Russia was not a part of the U.N. investigation and wouldn’t settle for its conclusions.
Source: www.dailysabah.com