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United Nations

Malaysia to Submit Resolution for International Tribunal to Prosecute MH17 Downers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Malaysia's announcement to the United Nations Security Council on a resolution for an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has sparked renewed efforts for criminal accountability. The proposed resolution would be under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, allowing for military enforcement, and is being prepared by the five countries investigating the crash: Malaysia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia, and Belgium. New Zealand's UN Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen emphasized the objective of "criminal accountability" for the tragedy that occurred on July 17, 2014, when all 298 people on board were killed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malaysia will submit a resolution to the UN Security Council to establish an international tribunal under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to prosecute those responsible for the downing of MH17.
  • The resolution is being prepared by the five countries investigating the crash: Malaysia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia, and Belgium.
  • The proposed tribunal aims to establish "criminal accountability" for the downing of MH17, which killed all 298 people on board on July 17, 2014.
  • Diplomats reported that Russia, a veto-wielding member of the Security Council, has yet to commit to adopting the resolution.
  • Malaysia's Ambassador Ramlan Bin Ibrahim expressed optimism that all council members, including Russia, were open to further consideration of the matter.
  • The proposed resolution draft will be circulated in the coming days, with a goal of adoption by the end of July.
  • Ukraine and the West suspect Russia-backed rebels or Russian soldiers of downing the plane, while Moscow denies involvement, suggesting alternative explanations.

Statistics:

  • 298: The number of people killed in the downing of MH17 on July 17, 2014.
  • 5: The number of countries collaborating to prepare the resolution for international tribunal: Malaysia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia, and Belgium.
  • 1: The number of veto-wielding members on the UN Security Council, including Russia.

Sources:

  • "Malaysia told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that it plans to submit a resolution soon that would establish an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last year." (Sources: UN diplomats)
  • "New Zealand's U.N. Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, the current council president, told reporters after Malaysia's closed-door briefing that the five countries -- Malaysia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Australia and Belgium -- are seeking 'criminal accountability' for the downing of the aircraft." (Sources: Gerard van Bohemen, UN Ambassador)

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