Netherlands to take Russia to European Court of Human Rights over MH17 downing

DutchNews, July 10, 2020

Photo: NBAAI via Dutch Safety Board

The Netherlands is taking Russia to the European Court of Human Rights over the downing of the flight MH17, reports public broadcaster NOS. 

Foreign minister Stef Blok has said that this action is to represent the interests of the 298 crash victims and their families, from 17 different nations. Those who died on July 17, 2014, included 196 people from the Netherlands. 

‘With the step we are talking today in bringing a case to the European Court and doing all we can to support the complaints of the next of kin, we are getting closer to our goal,’ he reportedly said. 

Two years ago, the Netherlands and Australia held Russia responsible for its role in the downing of the flight after a Joint Investigation Team found that the BUK missile which shot down the flight came from a Russian army brigade. 

The Dutch government added on Friday in a letter to parliament that it now hopes to achieve ‘truth, justice and accountability’ for all of the victims. 

The Kremlin has always denied any involvement.