16 July 2026 14:10 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government reiterates call for accountability over MH17 downing

Key points

Calls on the Russian Federation to accept responsibility and provide full reparation
Affirms resolve to pursue truth, justice and accountability for MH17 victims

TL;DR

Notes ICAO Council and European Court of Human Rights findings that the Russian Federation was responsible for downing Flight MH17
States the Russian Federation has not responded to requests by Australia and the Netherlands to negotiate full reparation
Affirms unwavering resolve to pursue truth, justice and accountability for MH17 victims and their families

Original text

Thank you, Chair. I have the honour to speak on behalf of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom and my own country, the Netherlands. Tomorrow we mark twelve years since the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. All 298 innocent people on board, including 80 children, lost their lives. The victims came from 17 different countries. This horrific act caused immeasurable sorrow and anguish for families and friends across the globe. Their lives were irreversibly changed on 17 July 2014, and their grief and pain have continued ever since. Our resolve to pursue truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of Flight MH17 and their loved ones remains unwavering. Those left behind deserve answers and closure. They must be able to trust that everything within our power is being done to ensure that such a tragedy is not repeated. As we stated at the meeting of the Permanent Council on 17 July last year, both the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as guardian of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), and the European Court of Human Rights have confirmed that the Russian Federation is responsible for downing Flight MH17 and the deaths of 298 people. On 9 July 2025, in a case brought by the Netherlands, the European Court of Human Rights unanimously held that the Russian Federation violated the European Convention on Human Rights. Now that this has been established, the European Court of Human Rights can determine the consequences of the violations and the damages payable. Throughout this process, the Netherlands will remain in close contact with the next of kin about potential damages. Following the decision of the ICAO Council of 30 June 2025, Australia and the Netherlands requested in August 2025 that the Russian Federation immediately enter into negotiations with them in good faith to resolve expeditiously the matters of full reparation and other legal consequences arising from the Russian Federation’s breach of its international obligations under the Chicago Convention. The Russian Federation has never responded to this request. While Australia and the Netherlands have continuously taken steps demonstrating their readiness to resolve the matter through good faith negotiations, in accordance with the ICAO Council’s decision, the Russian Federation has instead chosen not to engage in direct negotiations but to institute proceedings against Australia and the Netherlands before the International Court of Justice exercising its right of appeal against decisions of the ICAO Council. Chair, we all owe it to those who are grieving to honour their loved ones by supporting accountability for the downing of Flight MH17, in line with Security Council Resolution 2166. Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom and my own country, the Netherlands, continue to call on the Russian Federation to acknowledge and accept its responsibility, to comply fully with its obligations under international law, and to provide full reparation for its wrongful acts. Thank you.

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