**The ICAO's recent ruling affirms Russia's failure to comply with international aviation laws, following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which led to the death of all 298 onboard.**
**UN Rules Russia Culprit in MH17 Downing**
**UN Rules Russia Culprit in MH17 Downing**
**International Aviation Body Holds Russia Accountable for Tragic 2014 Incident Over Ukraine**
In a significant ruling, the United Nations aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), confirmed that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The tragedy resulted in the death of all 298 passengers and crew onboard when a Russian-made missile struck the aircraft.
The ICAO's ruling comes after a vote on Monday, which stated that the Russian Federation did not fulfill its obligations under international air law, specifically the prohibition against using weapons against civil aircraft. The flight was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was targeted in the conflict involving pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government forces, with a considerable number of the victims being Dutch nationals.
This decision followed a case presented to the UN by Australia and the Netherlands, who have both expressed their approval of the ruling. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Russia to acknowledge its accountability for what she deemed a "horrific act" and to provide reparations for the incident. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the ruling a critical step towards justice and underscored that nations cannot act with disregard for international law.
Previously, a Dutch court had determined that a group supported by Russia was responsible for the downing, leading to the convictions of two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian for murder, albeit in absentia, as they have yet to serve their sentences.
As the tragedy marks nearly a decade, it remains a poignant reminder of the persistent conflict in the region and the lasting impact on the victims' families and loved ones.
The ICAO's ruling comes after a vote on Monday, which stated that the Russian Federation did not fulfill its obligations under international air law, specifically the prohibition against using weapons against civil aircraft. The flight was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was targeted in the conflict involving pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government forces, with a considerable number of the victims being Dutch nationals.
This decision followed a case presented to the UN by Australia and the Netherlands, who have both expressed their approval of the ruling. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Russia to acknowledge its accountability for what she deemed a "horrific act" and to provide reparations for the incident. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the ruling a critical step towards justice and underscored that nations cannot act with disregard for international law.
Previously, a Dutch court had determined that a group supported by Russia was responsible for the downing, leading to the convictions of two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian for murder, albeit in absentia, as they have yet to serve their sentences.
As the tragedy marks nearly a decade, it remains a poignant reminder of the persistent conflict in the region and the lasting impact on the victims' families and loved ones.
