Current Issue “Eleven years since the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17” (raised by the delegation of the Netherlands)
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna
17 July 2025
Thank you, Chair.
Australia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Netherlands on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Today marks 11 years since the downing of Flight MH17, a horrific act which resulted in the tragic deaths of 298 people, 38 of whom called Australia home.
For 11 years, the victims’ families have been living without their loved ones. The passing of time does not diminish the pain of their loss.
Since the downing of Flight MH17 11 years ago, Australia has been committed to pursuing truth, justice and accountability, on behalf of the victims of the downing and their families and loved ones.
Australia, along with our international partners, has made substantial progress in this commitment over the last year.
On 12 May 2025, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, in the dispute initiated by Australia and the Netherlands in March 2022, found that Russia is responsible for the downing of Flight MH17.
The Council has also agreed that Russia must enter into negotiations with Australia and the Netherlands on full reparations for Russia’s violation of its international obligations.
In reaching its decisions, the ICAO Council has upheld the rules that underpin the safety and security of global civil aviation and sent a clear message that such a horrific incident should never happen again. The decisions also demonstrate the important role of our multilateral institutions in upholding agreed rules, norms and standards.
Australia also welcomes last week’s finding by the European Court of Human Rights that Russia is responsible for the downing of Flight MH17. This is another historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the downing of Flight MH17, for the victims and their families.
Russia has now been found responsible for the downing of Flight MH17 by two international bodies.
The decisions of the ICAO Council and European Court of Human Rights were based on the strong body of evidence presented by the Joint Investigation Team, comprised of investigative agencies from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine, which clearly established Russia’s responsibility for the downing under international law.
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.
Australia continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine. It is an ongoing and painful reminder of the tragic circumstances surrounding the downing of Flight MH17.
Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives in the downing, and their families and loved ones. I reiterate Australia’s ongoing commitment to pursuing truth, justice and accountability for the downing of Flight MH17.
Thank you, Chair.