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The Australian government has called on Russia to make reparations for the downing of Flight MH17, following the International Civil Aviation Organization Council ordering Russia to negotiate.
The Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people onboard, including 38 Australians. Post-crash investigations laid blame on personnel supplied with Russian anti-air weaponry in the area.
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“The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has ordered Russia to negotiate with Australia and the Netherlands on full reparations for the downing of Flight MH17,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
“We welcome this decision, and Australia stands ready to engage. We call on Russia to comply and make reparations for this horrific act.
“We remain unwavering in our commitment to truth, justice and accountability for the 298 victims – including 38 who called Australia home – and their families and loved ones.”
The ICAO concluded earlier this year that Russia, on 17 July 2014, breached the prohibition under international law on the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight. The plane had been on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when contact was lost around 50 kilometres from the Ukrainian border with Russia on 17 July 2014, local time.
“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,” Minister Wong said in a public statement at the time.
“In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principle that weapons should not be used against civil aircraft.
“The Australian government welcomes the ICAO Council’s decision and urges it to move swiftly to determine remedies for this violation. 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.”
It was alleged at the time that the Boeing 777-200ER was shot down by Russian surface-to-air missiles, which were transported from Russia to separatists it was backing in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.
The then-Morrison government launched legal proceedings against Russia in 2022 alongside the Netherlands, with ICAO last year ruling that it did have jurisdiction to hear the case.
“This is a milestone in the fight for truth, justice and accountability for the 298 victims, including 38 Australians,” Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, said in May.
“Ukraine stands with Australia, the Netherlands, and the international community in ensuring those responsible are held to account.”
