Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong today called on Russia to pay compensation for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Moscow liable for the tragedy, DPA reported, BTA reported.
Yesterday, the Strasbourg court found that Russia had failed to verify the target of the missile, which on July 17, 2014 downed the plane with 298 people on board over Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The ECHR also said that Moscow failed to protect the lives of those on board the Boeing 777, which was traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, after it was hit by an anti-aircraft missile fired by pro-Russian rebels.
All 298 people on board died, including 196 Dutch citizens, 38 Australians and four Germans. Russia denies responsibility.
"We welcome the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that Russia is responsible for the downing of flight MH17," Wong said in an article in "Ex", calling it "a historic moment for the 298 victims and their families".
In May, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found Russia liable for the downing of the plane under international air law in a case brought by Australia and the Netherlands.
"This decision follows the ICAO Council's decision in May that Russia is responsible and should negotiate with Australia and the Netherlands for full compensation," Wong said. "We again call on Russia to assume its responsibility and pay compensation for this terrible act", she added.
However, the impact of the ECHR ruling is limited, as Russia does not recognize the court, DPA notes.
Following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe and is therefore no longer a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, which the court oversees. However, the court, which is independent of the European Union, can still rule on cases that occurred up to six months after the expulsion.