The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) will decide whether to hear the merits of an inter-state lawsuit filed by the Netherlands against Russia for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014. The court will decide if the claim against Russia is admissible, according to a statement issued by the Dutch foreign ministry on Monday. “This is a major step in establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims and their loved ones,” according to the statement.
What had become of Flight MH17?
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17), on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.
The plane was shot down over the Donetsk region by a surface-to-air missile developed in Russia, according to international investigators. There were 283 passengers on board, including 196 Dutch nationals and 15 crew members. They were all killed.
According to a BBC report on Wednesday, the Dutch government claims that Russia played a crucial part in the air disaster and is to blame for the crash. Moscow, on the other hand, has denied any involvement.
What were the conspiracy theories surrounding the flight’s disappearance?
There was a lot of misinformation and conspiracy theories about what happened to the plane. Among these theories were hijackings, terrorist strikes, crew suicides, fires, and cyberattacks.
What exactly is the Netherlands’ complaint against Russia?
The Netherlands claimed that Russia was responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines aircraft. According to a statement issued by the Dutch Foreign Ministry on Monday, the government also believes that Moscow did not conduct an adequate investigation and did not assist with the Netherlands’ request for a criminal probe. “In the view of the Netherlands this, combined with Russia’s repeated denial of any involvement in downing flight MH17, has caused the victims’ next of kin additional suffering,” the statement added.
The Netherlands filed an application with the ECtHR in 2020 alleging Russia’s role in the downing of the plane.
When will the hearing take place?
The public hearing will be held on Wednesday at 13.30 GMT (7 pm IST) at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The European Court of Human Rights will decide whether the Netherlands’ application against Russia is admissible.
The judgment on admission will be based on considerations such as whether it was presented on time, if domestic legal procedures have been exhausted, and Russia’s role in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and the downing of MH17, according to a statement from the Dutch foreign ministry.
On November 17, 2022, a Dutch court convicts three people of murder in connection with the downing of MH17.
On November 17, last year, a Dutch court found three men guilty of murder for their roles in shooting down a Malaysian Airlines flight with a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. According to Associated Press on November 18, 2022, presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis stated that evidence given by prosecutors in the trial—proved that the aircraft was brought down by a Buk missile fired by pro-Moscow Ukrainian militants.
