MH17 victims' kin demand justice, dignity after Russia held liable
KUALA LUMPUR: Families of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 victims have voiced disappointment over what they describe as the government's muted response to a recent international ruling that held Russia accountable for the 2014 tragedy.
Wan Yusuf Irfan Wan Amran, son of the late Captain Wan Amran Wan Hussin, said the government had failed to respond with the resolve and compassion expected in the aftermath of one of aviation's worst disasters.
"The response from the Transport Ministry has been cold, procedural, and lacking even the most basic forms of human compassion.
"We, the next of kin, have been treated as if we are just a footnote in a long-forgotten chapter.
"There has been no significant recognition, no clear path toward justice, and certainly no meaningful compensation that reflects the scale and gravity of this international atrocity," the 20-year-old said.
He also called for greater compensation to be paid to the families of the victims, as a symbol of dignity and remembrance.
"Families like mine should not have to chase after what is rightfully ours.
"It should have come with grace, with honour, with humanity," he said.
This comes after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council's ruling yesterday, which found Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers and crew.
The claim was brought forward by Australia and the Netherlands.
The ICAO Council held that Russia had breached international air law, which prohibits the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.
The case was brought by Australia and the Netherlands, whose citizens made up a significant number of the 283 passengers who died when the Boeing 777 was shot down on July 17, 2014.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 196 Dutch citizens, 38 Australians or permanent residents, and 43 Malaysians.
Salleh Samsuddin, father of the late crew member Nur Shazana, said he placed his trust in the Australian and Dutch teams fighting for justice.
"All this while, we have been in touch with the Netherlands and they have been providing information on the case and so on," he said, adding that the decision had given him some closure.
However, the question of why the plane was shot down still lingered in his mind.
"We also want to know the reasons.
"Was it an accident? The wrong plane? Or was it on purpose?" he asked.
The UN aviation council on Monday ruled that over Ukraine that killed all 298 passengers and crew.
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