Families of MH17 victims commemorate 10th anniversary of tragic incident that claimed 298 lives

Relatives of the victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 tragedy gathered at Australia’s Parliament House to mark the 10th anniversary of the incident that resulted in the loss of 298 lives. The commemoration included the families of 38 Australian citizens and permanent residents who perished in the missile attack over Ukraine, including Roger and Jill Guard from Toowoomba.

Paul Guard, the son of the deceased couple, attributed the tragedy to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, expressing his sorrow that the war persisted without acknowledgment of the wrongdoing. The conflict has since evolved into a full-scale war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The region from where the missile was launched is now under Russian military control.

Despite denial of responsibility by Moscow, Russia faces legal action from the Netherlands, Australia, and other nations through international avenues like the European Court of Human Rights and the International Civil Aviation Organization Council. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed the commitment to hold Russia accountable despite its withdrawal from ICAO proceedings.

Australia and the Netherlands plan to continue pursuing justice for the victims through legal channels, with a commemoration event scheduled in the Netherlands near Schiphol Airport. The Dutch-led international investigation identified the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade as responsible for the downing of MH17, concluding that the missile was transported from a Russian military base and returned post-incident.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recalled a confrontational encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding MH17 at a summit in Beijing, where Putin dismissed allegations and asserted Ukraine’s involvement. Abbott reflected on Putin’s aggressive demeanor during the conversation, highlighting the need for further support to Ukraine.

The commemoration serves as a reminder of the international collaboration to seek truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of the MH17 tragedy, representing a collective effort across nations affected by the incident.