- Media release issued by The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
Australia is steadfast in our enduring commitment to seek truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragedy which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew, including 38 people who called Australia home.
Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones.
Since 2018, Australia has maintained that the Russian Federation is responsible under international law for the downing of Flight MH17. This is based on the strong body of evidence presented by the Joint Investigation Team.
Australia and the Netherlands are committed to our pursuit of accountability through our dispute against the Russian Federation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
We commend the progress in the Dutch criminal trials of four individuals for their alleged involvement and look forward to the delivery of verdicts.
Australia condemns Russia’s unilateral, illegal, and immoral aggression against the people of Ukraine. It is a painful reminder of the tragic circumstances surrounding the downing of Flight MH17.
While we cannot take away the grief of those whose loved ones died as a result of Russia’s actions, the Australian Government will pursue every available avenue to ensure Russia is held to account.
