International human rights tribunal poised to pass judgement on disputes pertaining to Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict
In a historic ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found Russia responsible for widespread and flagrant human rights abuses in Ukraine, as well as the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014.
The Boeing 777, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was tragically shot down on July 17, 2014, using a Russian-made Buk missile, resulting in the death of all 298 passengers and crew. The ECHR, in a ruling delivered in May, held Russia accountable for the disaster involving MH17.
The Court found Russia responsible for a series of human rights violations, including indiscriminate military attacks, summary executions, torture, unlawful and arbitrary detentions, intimidation and persecution of journalists and religious groups, looting, destruction of private property, and the organized removal of children to Russia for adoption. These abuses were found to be part of a pattern of conduct by Russian forces and Moscow-backed separatists that breached the European Convention.
The Court also concluded that the shooting down of MH17 was a violation of the right to life and that Russia was obstructive in international efforts to uncover the truth.
The rulings are seen as symbolic but significant, marking the first time an international court has formally held Russia responsible for these actions. The decisions are part of a broader effort to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine since 2014, including the full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved plans to set up a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Thomas Schansman, who lost his 18-year-old son Quinn in the MH17 disaster, sees the ECHR decision as an important milestone in his 11-year quest for justice.
It is worth noting that the ECHR is an important part of the Council of Europe, which is the continent's foremost human rights institution. However, Russia was expelled from the council over Moscow's invasion and war in Ukraine. Wednesday's ruling by the ECHR will be largely symbolic as the complaints were brought before the court's governing body expelled Moscow in 2022.
The ruling will be on four cases, brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia, regarding the conflict in Ukraine and human rights violations, including the downing of MH17. There are nearly 10,000 cases brought by individuals against the Kremlin currently pending in the ECHR.
These rulings are expected to have implications for how international law is applied in ongoing conflicts, setting a precedent for future cases involving state accountability for human rights violations and acts of aggression.
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found Russia responsible not only for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014, but also for a series of human rights violations in Ukraine, such as indiscriminate military attacks, torture, and unlawful detentions.
- The ECHR ruling concluded that the shooting down of MH17 was a violation of the right to life and that Russia was obstructive in international efforts to uncover the truth, making it the first international court to formally hold Russia responsible for these actions.
- The decisions made by the ECHR are part of a broader effort to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine, including the ongoing conflict and human rights violations, and they are expected to have implications for how international law is applied in ongoing conflicts.
- It is worth mentioning that the ECHR rulings, which will be on four cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia, will set a precedent for future cases involving state accountability for human rights violations and acts of aggression in the realm of general news, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and eastern politics.
