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News18
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Russia Responsible For Downing Of Flight MH17 In Ukraine With 38 Australians: European Court
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in Ukraine, including the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Russia was responsible for widespread violations of international law in Ukraine, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, Europe's top human rights court has ruled. The Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels. All 298 passengers and crew were killed, including 196 Dutch citizens. This is the first time an international court has held Moscow accountable for human rights abuses related to the conflict there. In May, the United Nations' aviation agency found Russia responsible for the disaster. The court's remark came on Wednesday, when judges read the verdicts on four cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia since the start of the conflict in 2014. The allegations included murder, torture, rape, destroying civilian infrastructure, kidnapping Ukrainian children and shooting down the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet, Flight MH17, by Ukrainian separatists who side with Russia. Reading the decisions before a packed courtroom in Strasbourg, court president Mattias Guyomar said Russian forces breached international humanitarian law in Ukraine by carrying out attacks that 'killed and wounded thousands of civilians and created fear and terror." The judges also found the human rights abuses went beyond any military objective and Russia used sexual violence as part of a strategy to break Ukrainian morale. The complaints were brought before the court's governing body expelled Moscow in 2022, following the full-scale invasion. The ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent's foremost human rights institution. Russia was expelled from the council over Moscow's invasion and war in Ukraine. However, the court can still deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion. In 2023, the judges sided with Ukraine and the Netherlands in a challenge over jurisdiction, finding there was sufficient evidence to show areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels were 'under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation," including providing weapons, and giving political and economic support. view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 09:43 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia responsible for MH17 shooting, killing 298 on board, rules Europe's human rights court
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday, July 9, ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, which killed all 298 people on board. The unanimous judgment also found Russia responsible for extensive violations of international law by supporting anti-Kyiv separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014, the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 that same year, and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The MH17 flight, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014, over eastern Ukraine, a region then controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Also Read: W ho is UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and why has US sanctioned her The Boeing 777 was struck by a missile fired from a Russian-made Buk system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo The ECHR said Russia was responsible for the actions of both its military forces and allied separatist fighters. The court ruled that the missile was likely fired under the mistaken belief that the plane was a military aircraft, but that Russia failed to take the required precautions to verify its target, violating international humanitarian law. Live Events Russia's refusal and its consequences Russia has repeatedly denied any role in the incident. It also refused to cooperate with international investigations or respond to court inquiries. The ECHR said this lack of cooperation and denial caused additional suffering for the families of the victims and further violated human rights obligations. The judgment stated that Moscow did not properly investigate the incident or offer any legal remedy to survivors and relatives. It added that Russia's continued denial 'significantly aggravated the suffering' of those left behind. Beyond MH17, the ECHR also found Russia responsible for a series of grave human rights violations in Ukraine starting from 2014. These include indiscriminate attacks, summary executions of civilians, torture, sexual violence, and forced displacement. The court said these acts were part of a 'systematic' pattern by Russian forces and their proxies. Political reaction Ukraine hailed the ruling as 'historic and unprecedented,' calling it a legal and moral victory. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said he hoped the verdict would offer 'a sense of justice and recognition' for the victims' families, most of whom were Dutch nationals. Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed the ruling. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the verdict 'null and void' and said Russia would not abide by it. Although Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, the ECHR still has jurisdiction over cases involving Russia from before that time. The court will decide later on whether Russia must pay financial compensation, though the chances of enforcement remain slim. Background A Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian of murder in connection to MH17. They were tried in absentia and remain at large. In May 2025, the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization also found Russia responsible for the downing of MH17. The victims of MH17 came from 17 countries, including 198 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, 38 Australians, and 10 British citizens.
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First Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
In a landmark ruling, court finds Russia guilty of shooting down flight MH17, killing 298 onboard
In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2017, killing all 298 passengers and crew onboard read more Families of the victims of the MH17 disaster say they see the decision as an important milestone in their 11-year quest for justice. Reuters Europe's top human rights court delivered damning judgements against Russia on Wednesday, including the ruling that it was Moscow which shot down MH17, killing all passengers, including 38 Australians. The judges at the European Court of Human Rights were delivering rulings on four cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands. On Wednesday, the judges ruled that Russia was responsible for widespread violations of international law. Moscow was apprehended for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, back in 2014, along with murder, torture, rape, destruction of civilian infrastructure and kidnapping of Ukrainian children after it full-scale invasion of 2022, The Guardian reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The decision was read out in a packed courtroom in Strasbourg. The court's president, Mattias Guyomar, said that Russian forces engaged in 'manifestly unlawful' conduct in the July 2014 attack on the flight. 'The court agreed that the evidence suggested that the missile had been intentionally fired at flight MH17, most likely in the mistaken belief that it had been a military aircraft,' the court said in a statement. 'It was not necessary for the court to decide exactly who had fired the missile, since Russia was responsible for the acts of the Russian armed forces and the armed separatists." 'The court found that no measures had been taken by Russia to accurately identify military targets, in breach of the principles of distinction and precautions," Guyomar furthered. Russia reacts Meanwhile, the Kremlin has maintained that it would ignore what it described as a 'largely symbolic judgment'. Ukraine, on the other hand, lauded the court, calling the ruling 'historic and unprecedented.' Kyiv went on to call the verdict an 'undeniable victory' for the embattled country. The 501-page ruling noted that Russia's refusal to participate in the proceedings also was a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, the treaty that underpins the court. When asked about the proceedings before the judgment was read, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the case altogether. 'We won't abide by it, we consider it void," he said at that time. Meanwhile, families of the victims of the devastating crash saw the judgment as an important milestone in their 11-year quest for justice. Thomas Schansman, whose 18-year-old son, Quinn, was aboard the jetliner, said the judgment made it clear who caused the disaster. Russia 'is responsible for killing my son', Schansman said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The tragic story of MH17 On July 17, 2017, a Boeing 777 aircraft was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels loyal to Moscow. All 298 passengers and crew onboard lost their lives in the tragic incident. The victims of the crash came from 17 countries and included 198 Dutch nationals, 43 Malaysians, 38 Australians and 10 from the UK. In the Wednesday ruling, the judge found that Russia's refusal to acknowledge its involvement in the plane crash violated international law. The court also charged Russia for failing to properly investigate the disaster 'significantly aggravated the suffering' of the relatives and friends of the dead. 'Russia never took any opportunity to tell the truth,' Schansman said. In May this year, the UN's aviation agency also found Russia responsible for the crash. The UN body gave the decision after Australia and the Netherlands launched legal proceedings against Russia under Article 84 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. It is pertinent to note that the ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, the continent's foremost human rights institution. The court's governing body expelled Moscow in 2022, after it launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine. However, the court still has the authority to deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion and, legally, the country is still obliged to participate in the proceedings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The European court will now rule on financial compensation at a later date, but Russia's departure leaves little hope that damages will ever be collected. It is also important to note that the decisions in Strasbourg are separate from a criminal prosecution in the Netherlands in which two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia of multiple murders for their roles in the downing of Flight MH17.
Yomiuri Shimbun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
European Court Finds Russia Committed Violations in Ukraine and Was behind Downing Flight Mh17
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Europe's top human rights court delivered damning judgments Wednesday against Russia in four cases brought by Kyiv and the Netherlands accusing Moscow of atrocities in Ukraine dating back more than a decade. Judges at the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia was responsible for widespread violations of international law — from shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, to the murder, torture, rape, destruction of civilian infrastructure and kidnapping of Ukrainian children after Moscow's full-scale invasion of 2022. Reading the decisions in a packed courtroom in Strasbourg, Court President Mattias Guyomar said Russian forces breached international humanitarian law in Ukraine by carrying out attacks that 'killed and wounded thousands of civilians and created fear and terror.' The Kremlin said it would ignore the largely symbolic judgment, but Ukraine hailed it as 'historic and unprecedented,' saying it was an 'undeniable victory' for the embattled country. The judges found the human rights abuses went beyond any military objective and that Russia used sexual violence as part of a strategy to break Ukrainian morale, the French judge said. 'The use of rape as a weapon of war was an act of extreme atrocity that amounted to torture,' Guyomar said. The 501-page judgment noted that Russia's refusal to participate in the proceedings also was a violation of European Convention of Human Rights, the treaty that underpins the court. Asked about the judgment before the rulings were read, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'We won't abide by it, we consider it void.' Families of the victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 disaster saw the decision as an important milestone in their 11-year quest for justice. Thomas Schansman, whose 18-year-old son, Quinn, was aboard the jetliner, told The Associated Press that the judgment makes clear who caused the disaster. Russia 'is responsible for killing my son,' Schansman said. The Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels loyal to Moscow. All 298 passengers and crew were killed, including 196 Dutch citizens. The judges found that Russia's refusal to acknowledge its involvement in the Flight MH17 disaster also violated international law. Russia's failure to properly investigate 'significantly aggravated the suffering' of the relatives and friends of the dead. 'Russia never took any opportunity to tell the truth,' Schansman said. In May, the U.N.'s aviation agency found Russia responsible for the disaster. The separatist conflict that broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014 killed about 14,000 people before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent's foremost human rights institution. The court's governing body expelled Moscow in 2022 in response to the all-out invasion. However, the court can still deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion and, legally, the country is still obliged to participate in the proceedings. The court will rule on financial compensation at a later date but Russia's departure leaves little hope that damages will ever be collected. In 2023, the judges sided with Ukraine and the Netherlands in a challenge over jurisdiction, finding there was sufficient evidence to show that areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels were 'under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.' That included providing weapons, and giving political and economic support. Wednesday's rulings won't be the last from the EHCR dealing with the war. Kyiv has other cases pending against Russia and there are nearly 10,000 cases brought by individuals against the Kremlin. The decisions in Strasbourg are separate from a criminal prosecution in the Netherlands in which two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia of multiple murders for their roles in the downing of Flight MH17. In 2022, the United Nations' top court ordered Russia to stop military operations in Ukraine while a case is heard, a process that takes years. Russia has flouted the order by the International Court of Justice. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally approved plans to set up a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the invasion.
The Hill
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
European court finds Russian responsible for international law violations. Here's the key takeaways
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Europe's top human rights court delivered damning judgments on Wednesday against Russia, finding Moscow responsible for widespread violations of international law in Ukraine and the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014. Judges at the European Court of Human Rights issued judgements in four cases brought by Kyiv and the Netherlands accusing Moscow of atrocities in Ukraine dating back more than a decade. They include the murder, torture, rape, and destruction of civilian infrastructure and kidnapping of Ukrainian children. It's the first time an international court has concluded there have been widespread human rights abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine. The 501-page ruling combined four complaints — three stemming from the separatist conflict that broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and one linked to alleged violations of international law following the invasion. In all four cases, the court's 17 judges unanimously found Russian forces breached international humanitarian law. One of the complaints was brought by the Netherlands in connection with the downing of MH17 over separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine. It is the first time an international court has held Russia responsible for the tragedy in which 298 people died. The Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels loyal to Moscow. Among the victims were 196 Dutch citizens. The judges found that Russia's refusal to acknowledge its involvement in the disaster also violated international law. Russia's failure to properly investigate it 'significantly aggravated the suffering' of the relatives and friends of the dead. In 2022, a criminal court in the Netherlands convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel in absentia of multiple murders for their roles in the downing of MH17 in a separate case. The ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent's foremost human rights institution. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe is an international organization dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It has 46 member states. The organization expelled Moscow in 2022 in response to the invasion of Ukraine. However, the court can still deal with cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion and, legally, the country is still obliged to participate in the proceedings. The rulings won't be the last from the ECHR dealing with the war. Kyiv has other cases pending against Russia and there are nearly 10,000 cases brought by individuals against the Kremlin. The court will rule on financial compensation at a later date, but Russia's expulsion leaves little hope that damages will ever be collected. Typically, judges at the ECHR award damages to victims for financial loss or hardship suffered when their rights were violated. The court ordered Russia to pay millions of dollars in compensation to Georgia for a swath of violations after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. That money has never been handed over. In 2023, more than 40 nations and the Council of Europe agreed to set up a system to tally the destruction Russia has inflicted on Ukraine in the hope of getting reparations. The Hague-based Register of Damage for Ukraine, also known as RD4U, began accepting claims last year. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month formally approved plans to set up a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the invasion of Ukraine. The special tribunal will be created through an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. It aims to target senior Russian leaders for the 'crime of aggression,' which underpins the countless war crimes Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing since the start of the war. Existing international courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, lack the jurisdiction to prosecute Russian nationals for that specific offense. The ICC has multiple outstanding arrest warrants for Russian officials for war crimes. They include President Vladimir Putin, who is accused of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.
