European Court Rules Russia Violated Ukraine’s Sovereignty and Was Responsible for MH17 Tragedy

European Court of Human Rights Rules Against Russia in Landmark Cases

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently made significant rulings against Russia, confirming its responsibility for numerous human rights violations in Ukraine. This follows cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands that address events dating back to 2014.

Key highlights from the rulings include accountability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014. The court found Russia guilty of a range of serious infractions, including murder, torture, and the unlawful kidnapping of Ukrainian children after its full-scale invasion in 2022. Court President Mattias Guyomar emphasized that Russian forces have acted in ways that violate international humanitarian laws.

Despite the findings, Russia has dismissed the court’s decisions, insisting that they are “void.” This response isn’t surprising, considering that in earlier cases, the Kremlin has ignored international rulings. However, Ukraine celebrated the court’s judgment as a historical moment that validates their quest for justice.

One particularly alarming finding from the ECHR was the use of sexual violence as a tactic by Russian forces. “Rape as a weapon of war is an act of extreme atrocity,” Guyomar stated, highlighting the emotional and psychological devastation inflicted on Ukrainian civilians.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in nearly 14,000 deaths due to conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014. The ECHR is part of the Council of Europe, which expelled Russia in 2022 due to its aggressive actions, but it can still address cases from before that expulsion. While the court plans to rule on financial compensation to victims later, the departure of Russia from the council makes any hope of collecting damages unlikely.

Public sentiment, especially among families of victims from Flight MH17, reflects a mixture of relief and frustration. Thomas Schansman, who lost his son in the crash, expressed that this ruling clarifies who is responsible for the disaster. The U.N. aviation agency recently echoed this sentiment by also holding Russia accountable for the incident.

As of now, Ukraine has many more cases pending against Russia, and thousands of individuals have sought justice against the Kremlin. Separately, a Dutch court has already convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel for their roles in the downing of Flight MH17.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved plans for a new court aimed at prosecuting Russian officials for their actions in the war. As the conflict drags on, the legal battles will likely persist, ensuring the topic remains in national and international discussions.

For more details on human rights violations, visit Human Rights Watch.

Source link

Russia, General news, Ukraine, Europe, International agreements, Courts, Homicide, AP Top News, Eurocopa 2024, Russia-Ukraine war, Mattias Guyomar, Ukraine government, Thomas Schansman, Dmitry Peskov, Netherlands government, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, World news, Child endangerment, Russia government, United Nations, Human rights, Sexual assault