Latest news with #ICAOCouncil
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt seeks ICAO Council seat, backs African aviation integration
CAIRO – 30 May 2025: Egypt supports a stronger African voice in global aviation and seeks a seat on the ICAO Council, Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Hefny said during AFI Aviation Week 2025 in Zimbabwe. He emphasized Egypt's commitment to regional integration and sustainable development, highlighting efforts to boost the African Single Air Transport Market and open skies initiatives. Hefny held talks with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) leaders to deepen cooperation and secure backing for Egypt's ICAO candidacy ahead of elections in September. AFCAC officials voiced support, citing Egypt's infrastructure and regulatory contributions to African aviation. A seat on the ICAO Council represents membership in the governing body of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is responsible for setting standards and guidelines for international civil aviation. The ICAO Council is composed of 36 member states elected by the ICAO Assembly. These member states represent various regions and have a significant role in shaping aviation policies and practices worldwide.
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Russia Officially Found Responsible for MH17, Wong Hails ‘Historic Moment'
It's been more than a decade since the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down with a Buk missile over Eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014—now findings by a top aviation authority have found Russia responsible. The passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was carrying 298 passengers and crew, including 38 Australian nationals, when a surface-to-air missile exploded near the cockpit, severely damaging the plane and causing its rapid descent. Since 2018, it has been Australia's official position that Russia was responsible for the destruction of the flight. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Montreal has now announced Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now urged Russia to take responsibility for the missile that brought the plane down. 'This is a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,' Wong said in a statement. Related Stories 7/17/2024 6/23/2023 Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during Senate Estimates at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 27, 2025. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas 'The ICAO Council found that Russia breached the prohibition under international law on the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight and is responsible for the loss of 298 innocent lives, including 38 who called Australia home. 'In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principle that weapons should not be used against civil aircraft.' In 2022, Australia and the Netherlands brought a case before the ICAO regarding Russia's involvement in the downed flight. 'The Australian government welcomes the ICAO Council's decision and urges it to move swiftly to determine remedies for this violation,' Wong said. 'We call upon Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for this horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law. 'Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives as a result of Russia's actions, their families and loved ones. While we cannot take away the grief of those left behind, we will continue to stand with them in that grief and pursue justice for this horrific act.' Despite the finding, ICAO does not hold enforcement power. In 2016, the Dutch Safety Board determined the missile that downed the plane was shot from pro-Russian separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine, with the Buk missile originating from Russia. The Russian government has so far denied responsibility. At the time of the incident, the region was engulfed in an armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. In 2014, pro-European Union protests led to the ousting of Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych, before Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Pro-Russian separatists had also declared independence in parts of eastern Ukraine, leading to war with the government of Ukraine.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Russia responsible for downing MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 finds Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO Council) on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) found Russia responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine with the loss of 298 lives more than a decade ago, in a ruling that raises the prospect of victims' families being paid compensation. A Dutch-led international 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 using a Buk missile system delivered from Russia. Moscow denies any involvement in the MH17 tragedy. The Netherlands and Australian governments brought the case against Moscow before the Montreal-based global aviation agency in 2022, and on Tuesday (May 13) welcomed the verdict. The International Court of Justice wasn't an option, because Russia doesn't recognise The Hague, Netherlands-based court's jurisdiction. Council finds that Russia violated the Chicago Convention The Council found that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states 'refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.' It's the first time that the Council, which represents 193 member states, has decided a dispute between Governments. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the Council would consider the question of reparations within 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 process,' Mr. Veldkamp said in a statement. 'The latter is important in order to ensure that the negotiations are conducted in good faith and according to specific timelines, and that they will yield actual results,' he added. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged the Council to move swiftly to 'determine remedies.... We call on Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for its horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,' Ms. Wong said in a statement. The Russian Embassy in Australia didn't immediately repond to a request for comment on Tuesday (May 13). Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said that the council had yet to publish the reasons for its decisions. 'One of the consequences for this process will be that the council will probably make some recommendations that Russia pay what are called reparations, which is an international term for damages, as a result of its violation of international law,' Mr. Rothwell said. 'So we have to wait and see exactly what the council finds on that particular point,' Mr. Rothwell added.
Boston Globe
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Russia is responsible for downing MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, global aviation agency's council finds
The International Court of Justice wasn't an option, because Russia doesn't recognize The Hague, Netherlands-based court's jurisdiction. Advertisement Council finds that Russia violated the Chicago Convention The council found that Russia had violated the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which requires that states 'refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.' It's the first time that the council, which represents 193 member states, has decided a dispute between governments. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that the council would consider the question of reparations within 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 process,' Veldkamp said in a statement. 'The latter is important in order to ensure that the negotiations are conducted in good faith and according to specific timelines, and that they will yield actual results,' he added. Advertisement Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged the council to move swiftly to 'determine remedies.' 'We call on Russia to finally face up to its responsibility for its horrific act of violence and make reparations for its egregious conduct, as required under international law,' Wong said in a statement. Russian Embassy doesn't respond The Russian Embassy in Australia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said that the council had yet to publish the reasons for its decisions. 'One of the consequences for this process will be that the council will probably make some recommendations that Russia pay what are called reparations, which is an international term for damages, as a result of its violation of international law,' Rothwell said. 'So we have to wait and see exactly what the council finds on that particular point,' Rothwell added.
Sky News AU
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Australia calls for Russia to face up to its responsibility in the ‘horrific' downing of MH17 which carried 38 Australians
Australia has called on Moscow to face up to its responsibility in the 'horrific' downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 more than a decade ago, killing all 298 passengers on board, including 38 Australians. It came a short time after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Montreal found Russia responsible under international law for shooting down the passenger plane on July 17, 2014. Russia has never accepted culpability for the disaster and has instead fanned theories to shift the blame, including the suggestion a Ukrainian jet brought the Boeing 777 down. The international investigation debunked the theories and proved it was a Russian-made and supplied anti-aircraft missile fired towards the plane from the ground in eastern Ukraine. The case was brought to the Council jointly by the Netherlands and Australia in 2022 in the pursuit of accountability for the strike which brought MH17 down over eastern Ukraine, months after the war erupted in the region. The case hinged on allegations the Russian Federation used a surface-to-air missile to down MH17 over eastern Ukraine constituting a breach of Article 3 (bis) of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which requires States "refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight". The ICAO Council will now consider what form of reparation is in order, with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp hailing the decision which favoured the Netherlands and Australia. Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a statement on Tuesday morning, vowing to pursue justice for those who called Australia home. 'This is a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones,' Ms Wong said. 'In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principle that weapons should not be used against civil aircraft.' Ms Wong said the Albanese government welcomed the ICAO Council's decision and called on Russia to 'finally face up' for the 'egregious' and 'horrific act of violence'. 'Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives as a result of Russia's actions, their families and loved ones,' Ms Wong said. 'While we cannot take away the grief of those left behind, we will continue to stand with them in that grief and pursue justice for this horrific act.' The ICAO Council, which is based in Montreal and sets global aviation rules followed by 193 member states, is not equipped with enforcement powers, but has considerable diplomatic sway. The Council is yet to release a public statement on the ruling.
