PRESS RELEASE : Tenth anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine – UK statement to OSCE [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2024.

Tenth anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine: UK statement to OSCE.

Thank you, Mister Chair.

Yesterday we marked the tenth anniversary of the downing of Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine and the deaths of 298 innocent people from 17 countries, including 10 British nationals. The United Kingdom expresses its deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones.

The United Kingdom reiterates its full support for the efforts to pursue truth, justice and accountability, and to provide answers for the friends and families of those who so tragically died. We are grateful in particular for the work and dedication of the Joint Investigation Team.

The conclusion of the trial in the Netherlands at the end of 2022, and the conviction of three individuals for murder in relation to the downing of MH17, was an important step in securing justice for the families of the victims. However, this process has not run its course.

The downing of MH17 was a shocking violation of the international norms which keep our societies safe. All States have a responsibility to cooperate in full with efforts to establish accountability. The United Kingdom deeply regrets the Russian Federation’s decision to withdraw unilaterally from ICAO proceedings on MH17 and we continue to call on Russia to cooperate in full with efforts to establish accountability so that justice can be fully delivered.

Thank you, Mister Chair.