Russia Vetoes Proposal To Create Tribunal On Downing Of MH17

By Manik Mehta NEW YORK, July 30 (Bernama) -- As expected, Russia used its veto right in the UN Security Council Wednesday to block a five-nation proposal, initiated by Malaysia, to establish an ad hoc criminal international tribunal to try those responsible for the downing of MH17 on July 17 2014 in Ukraine. Malaysia undertook the initiative on behalf of itself and four other countries – Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ukraine - participating in the Joint Investigation Team on the downing of MH17. Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who introduced the draft resolution on the court tribunal, told Bernama that, like the other four countries whose nationals were killed in the shooting down of the aircraft, Malaysia was "very, very disappointed" with Russia's veto of the text. Angola, China and Venezuela abstained and the remaining 11 members of the Council, including Malaysia, voted in favour. The resolution had called for the earliest possible finalisation of the ongoing international technical investigation into the cause of the crash, in which 298 people perished, followed by a criminal investigation. When presenting the text of the proposal, Liow said that a "full investigation" had been conducted by Dutch specialists with the assistance of other nations, and the UN was satisfied that it was according to international standards. After Russia's veto, Liow said Malaysia will remain steadfast in its determination to pursue accountability for the perpetrators and to ensure justice for all the innocent victims on board MH17. "Although it is too early to speak now in concrete terms, we will consider and explore other viable options and prosecuting mechanisms that would ensure that justice will be served and that the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions," he said. The investigation has been assisted by experts from various countries such as Australia, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, Indonesia, Italy, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. --BERNAMA