Key countries want UN tribunal for MH17

Key countries want UN tribunal for MH17

The five countries investigating last year’s shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine are calling for an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible.

A UN diplomat says Australia, Malaysia, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Belgium “want the Security Council to establish a UN tribunal that would prosecute those responsible”.

Last week, their legal experts were in New York to meet with the council’s legal advisers, the diplomat said.

Another diplomat said the legal experts presented a draft statute to establish a tribunal and a draft UN resolution that would authorise it.

Both diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would not confirm that the five countries were pushing for a UN tribunal, although she said she was aware of media reports around the proposals.

She said Australia was committed to working with the broader international community to secure justice for the families of the victims.

“The means for achieving this are currently being discussed by relevant countries and it would not be appropriate to go into details at this time,” she said.

Malaysia’s UN ambassador, Ramlan Ibrahim, told reporters on Thursday, “The subject has been moved over to capitals to review.

“We hope” to take up a draft resolution in the council in July, he said. “We can only hope for the best.”

Diplomats said Russia, a veto-wielding council member, holds the key to the adoption of a resolution.

Ramlan said Malaysia has had preliminary discussions with Russia “but it’s too early to say” whether Moscow will support a resolution.

Flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in July last year, killing all 298 on board, including 38 from Australia.

Latest News

  • Tourism

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull is departing the agency with effect from Friday May 10. Over the past three years, Turnbull played an instrumental role in driving growth, with one of the agency’s most significant achievements being the increase in visitor spend. Under her leadership, Tourism WA achieved a record breaking $17.7 billion in […]

  • Travel Agents

DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign

DriveAway has launched its Brit-Euro Blitz: Explore the UK, Europe & Ireland campaign, designed to inspire travellers to uncover the beauty and diversity of those destinations during May and June. The campaign arrives amidst a surge in popularity for destinations across the UK, Europe and Ireland, with year-to-date increases averaging around 30%. Notably, cities such […]

  • Road & Rail

Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

  • Tourism

Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]