First modification:
The governments of those countries began a process against Russia before the UN agency specializing in air safety for the shooting down of flight MH17 in which 298 civilians lost their lives. Meanwhile, a Dutch court is trying four suspects.
This Monday, March 14, Australia and the Netherlands announced the start of a joint legal action against Russia. This follows the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which on July 17, 2014 was intercepted by a surface-to-air missile while flying over eastern Ukraine, claiming the lives of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch and 38 Australians.
The procedure will be carried out before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency specializing in air safety that, despite acting as a mediator, has the power to condemn or impose sanctions against countries that violate the law. international.
Australia and the Netherlands will build on an international investigation that determines the missile system used to shoot down the Amsterdam-bound MH17 from Kuala Lumpur was transported to and from Russia by separatist rebels.
For Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the death of the victims “cannot and should not be without consequences”, for which he hopes to “ensure international recognition that Russia is responsible for the MH17 disaster” under this legal action .
And while he avoided dwelling on the war in Ukraine, he added that “current events” in that country “underscore the vital importance of this.”
Concurring with his statements is the Australian government, which said in a statement that “Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine and escalation of its aggression underscores the need to continue our long-standing efforts to hold Russia accountable for its blatant violation of the international law and the UN Charter, including threats to sovereignty and airspace”.
However, Moscow has denied its alleged involvement in the incident on more than one occasion and in October 2020 it unilaterally withdrew from the negotiations with both countries.
Something that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison considers “unacceptable”. Indeed, he revealed that “taking the matter to the UN International Civil Aviation Organization would be a step forward in the fight for the victims.”
Although the ICAO outcome is uncertain, experts say the move could prompt Russia to return to negotiations. In addition, it could lead to a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Australia and the Netherlands are demanding full compensation for the damage caused and the suspension of Russia’s right to vote in ICAO, which sets the rules for civil transport.
Dutch court investigates four suspects
Meanwhile, a court in the Netherlands has been trying four suspects for two years – three Russians and one Ukrainian – for their alleged responsibility in the downing of flight MH17.
According to the prosecution, the suspects are responsible for organizing the installation of missile launchers, their deployment and their transportation to and from Russia. Although he admits that those allegedly involved were not the ones who gave the order to shoot down the plane, he considers that they should have prevented it, which is why last December he asked for life imprisonment for all of them.
It is expected that by the end of 2022 the court will be able to issue a sentence for those involved who are still at large and who have not gone to court in the Netherlands.
With EFE, AP and Reuters
#Australia #Netherlands #initiate #legal #action #Russia #downing #flight #MH17