European Court of Human Rights Holds Russia Accountable for Human Rights Violations and MH17 Tragedy

On July 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a landmark ruling against Russia, citing violations of international law during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This judgment marks the first instance where an international court has officially held Moscow accountable for human rights abuses since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022. In another significant decision, the court determined that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, thereby naming the Kremlin in connection with the 2014 tragedy that resulted in the loss of 298 lives. These rulings address four separate cases brought forth by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia, highlighting a range of alleged human rights violations that have occurred since the war escalated. The scope of these cases includes both the tragic MH17 incident and the troubling kidnapping of Ukrainian children amid the chaos of war. While the ECHR's decisions carry substantial symbolic weight, it is worth noting that the complaints were initiated after Moscow was expelled from the court's governing body in 2022, following its aggressive military actions in Ukraine. For families affected by the MH17 disaster, the ruling represents a significant milestone in their lengthy pursuit of justice. Flight MH17, a Boeing 777 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Buk missile, launched from territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Tragically, all 298 passengers and crew members perished in the incident, including 196 Dutch nationals. A United Nations investigation conducted in May corroborated Russia's culpability in the disaster. Despite its expulsion, the ECHR remains an important institution within the Council of Europe, focusing on human rights across the continent. The court has jurisdiction to adjudicate cases against Russia concerning events prior to its expulsion. Furthermore, in 2023, the judges ruled in favor of Ukraine and the Netherlands regarding jurisdiction, confirming substantial evidence that areas in Eastern Ukraine under separatist control fell within Russia's responsibility through their provision of weapons and support. The implications of the ECHR's recent decisions are far-reaching. Nearly 10,000 individual cases are currently pending against the Kremlin, and the rulings delivered on Wednesday are likely to precede more judgments related to the war. Kyiv has additional cases awaiting examination, further underscoring the continuing battle for accountability. Separately, these rulings exist alongside a criminal trial in the Netherlands, where two Russian nationals and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia for their roles in the MH17 incident. In 2022, the International Court of Justice ordered Russia to cease military operations in Ukraine while a related case was under consideration, an order that Russia has openly disregarded. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy endorsed the establishment of a new international court aimed at prosecuting senior Russian officials for war crimes committed during the invasion. Relatives such as Schansman, who lost a son in the MH17 tragedy, emphasize the importance of not losing momentum in their fight for justice, stating that ceasing efforts is the worst action they could take. The MH17 case, he remarked, will not be forgotten in the pursuit of accountability for Russia's actions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2