OTTAWA – The Canadian government is welcoming a recent decision by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization to hold Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
The plane was shot down on July 17, 2014, over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including one Canadian.
Global Affairs Canada says the UN body has found Russia breached an obligation not to use weapons against a civil aircraft in flight under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention.
A Dutch-led investigation concluded in 2016 that the Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur airliner was shot down from territory held by separatist rebels using a missile system delivered from Russia.
Moscow has denied any involvement in the tragedy and is rejecting the council’s findings.
Global Affairs says the council will in the coming weeks consider what form of reparation is in order.
“We commend the council for fulfilling its responsibility to uphold the rule of law in civil aviation and for reaffirming that violations of it will not go unanswered,” the department said in a statement.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives aboard Flight MH17. Canada continues to support efforts to ensure that justice is served and to reinforce international mechanisms that protect civilian lives.”
— With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
