News item | 24-01-2022 | 19:55
On Wednesday, the Netherlands will give a public explanation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg about the complaint that the Netherlands has filed against Russia for its role in the downing of flight MH17. This will take place during a hearing, where the representative of the Netherlands at the ECtHR will speak to the judges of the Court.
Step to justice
On 10 July 2020, the Netherlands filed a state complaint against Russia with the ECtHR on his role in the downing of flight MH17 on July 17, 2014 over eastern Ukraine. All 298 people on board were killed, including 196 Dutch.
Minister Hoekstra: ‘The downing of flight MH17 has caused unprecedented suffering. This cannot and should not remain without consequences. The hearing in Strasbourg at the European Court of Human Rights is an important step in the Netherlands’ pursuit of justice for the victims and their relatives. That is and will remain a priority for the government’.
receptiveness
The hearing concerns the admissibility of the complaint. This also raises the question of whether Russia was exercising effective control in eastern Ukraine at the time of the downing of flight MH17.
During the hearing, the Netherlands will publicly raise the role of Russia in the downing of MH17 for the first time in international legal proceedings. The government believes it is important to clearly state the position of next of kin during the proceedings before the Court. That is why part of the speaking time will be filled by a representative of the next of kin to address the judges of the ECtHR on their behalf.
Public hearing
The ECtHR has joined the Dutch complaint with two previously filed state complaints from Ukraine against Russia regarding events in eastern Ukraine. The admissibility of these two complaints will also be discussed during the hearing. The Netherlands retains its own legal position independent of Ukraine, and focuses exclusively on Russia’s role in the downing of flight MH17.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday from 9.15 am at the ECtHR in Strasbourg and is open to the public. A video connection is available after the session.