On 20 September 2016, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Ukraine and the Netherlands met in New York to discuss the ongoing efforts to establish justice with regard to the downing of flight MH17 on July 17 2014, which cost the lives of 298 people. The Ministers represent the countries whose investigation authorities cooperate in the criminal investigation, which was called for in UNSC resolution 2166 (2014), according to the statement.
“The Ministers recalled the demand by the Security Council, in Resolution 2166, and the determination of their own governments, that those responsible for the downing be held accountable. They further recalled the Security Council’s demand that all States cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability,” the statement reads.
Read alsoFive nations reiterate commitment to bring to justice those responsible for MH17 downingIn this regard, the Ministers reiterated their strong support for the international and independent investigation conducted by the JIT, which will present its interim results on September 28.
The ministers also discussed the progress made with regard to a prosecution mechanism, given the veto in the UNSC in July 2015 for a UN tribunal.
“The countries remain fully committed to take effective measures to hold those who are responsible to account,” the statement reads.
The foreign ministers stress that “there must be justice for the families and loved ones of those killed on MH17”.
Read alsoMore MH17 docs released, Dutch govt. assumed Russian separatist to be responsibleAs UNIAN reported earlier, the Dutch Safety Board on October 13, 2015, released its report on the causes of the MH17 crash. It has been established that the aircraft was shot down from the skies over Donbas by a Buk air defense missile.
The aircraft was shot down July 17, 2014, near the town of Torez in Donetsk region
All 298 people on board, including 80 children, were killed in a crash. Most of the victims – 194 passengers – were Dutch citizens, 38 – the citizens of Australia.
