Statement by Global Affairs Canada on decision of International Civil Aviation Organization Council to hold Russia responsible for downing of Flight MH17
May 14, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:
"Canada welcomes the recent decision of the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014.
"The council has found that Russia is responsible for the downing of the aircraft and that Russia breached the obligation not to use weapons against a civil aircraft in flight under Article 3 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention. In the coming weeks, the council will consider what form of reparation is in order.
"This historic decision-the first one made by the council on the merits of a legal dispute in the ICAO's history of almost 80 years-follows proceedings initiated in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands against Russia in response to the tragedy of Flight MH17 being shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including one Canadian.
"We commend the council for fulfilling its responsibility to uphold the rule of law in civil aviation and for reaffirming that violations of it will not go unanswered.
"Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives aboard Flight MH17. Canada continues to support efforts to ensure that justice is served and to reinforce international mechanisms that protect civilian lives."
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