Russia has denied responsibility for bringing down flight MH17 despite the findings of a report
Reconstruction ... The Dutch Safety Board rebuilt part of MH17 as part of its lengthy investigation that concluded the flight was downed by a Russian Buk missile. Pic: AAP Image/Dutch Safety Board
FAMILIES of MH17 victims are unlikely to get a cent of compensation from Russia even if the country is found responsible for shooting down the Malaysia Airlines’ flight.
In a cynical move by Vladimir Putin, the Russian Federation has passed a law giving it the power to reject orders made by international judiciaries.
It comes as US aviation lawyer Jerry Skinner prepares to file a lawsuit in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of MH17 victims, suing Putin and the Russian Federation for the atrocity.
Madness ... A law change ratified by Russian President Vladimir Putin will exempt his government from orders issued by the European Court of Human Rights. Pic: AP Photo/Alexander ZemlianichenkoSource:AP
In the aftermath of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing of a Pan-Am jet, Mr Skinner was successful in securing payments from the Libyan Government of $10 million each for victims’ families, and he expects to achieve a similar result for MH17 next-of-kin.
On November 17, Mr Skinner served the Russian Federation and President Putin with notices of intention to file in the ECHR, giving them 30 days to respond.
But last week, the Russian Federation passed a law providing for an exemption of their activities and conduct from the orders and determinations of the ECHR.
The move floored human rights’ advocates and the Australian families of MH17 passengers.
Sydney’s Jon and Meryn O’Brien whose 25-year-old son Jack was returning home on the flight, said the law change “looked like Russia had something to hide and was worried what the evidence might reveal”.
Heartbroken ... Meryn and Jon O'Brien are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their son Jack on MH17. Picture: News Corp AustraliaSource:News Corp Australia
“Jack and all the people on MH17 deserve justice,” said the O’Briens.
“All the available evidence should be weighed and if the people who are responsible are convicted by a court with appropriate jurisdiction then that judgment should be respected.”
Brisbane’s Paul Guard who lost his parents Jill and Roger Guard in the disaster, called for both Ukraine and Russia to fulfil their international legal obligations.
Mr Skinner described the law as “madness” and contrasted Putin’s rhetoric in regards to the downing of the Russian Metrojet flight over Sinai with his lack of compassion for the 298 people killed by a Russian-made missile over Ukraine on July 17, 2014.
Among the victims were 40 people who called Australia home.
Seeking justice ... US Aviation Lawyer Jerry Skinner hopes to achieve substantial compensation payouts for families devastated by the MH17 atrocity. Pic: Adam Smith/News Corp AustraliaSource:News Corp Australia
“There has not been a word about help and accountability for the innocent passengers of MH17, not a crumb for the 80 children and uncounted orphans that the Russian bow tie-shaped shrapnel ushered into eternity,” said Mr Skinner, who is acting for five Australian families.
“I represent some and my heart is with them this Christmas.”
In October, the Dutch Safety Board’s final report found a Russian-made Buk missile was responsible for bringing down the Malaysia Airlines flight, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
Shattering ... Ukrainian rescue servicemen inspect the remains of MH17 in Rassipnoye, Ukraine. Pic: Rob Stothard/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Russia immediately sought to discredit the investigation as “biased” and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the Dutch Safety Board was simply “carrying out political orders”.
Australia’s foremost expert on Russian strategic affairs, Curtin University international relations co-ordinator Alexey Muraviev, said the law change was likely to be a “tit for tat move”.
“It needs to be looked at in the broader context of Russia-Europe, Russia-West relations,” said Dr Muraviev.
“I would interpret the Russian position as “you don’t listen to our reasoning so we don’t feel obliged to collaborate on your terms”.
“Russia has for many years been frustrated by countries such as the US and Britain in cases where criminals are wanted for prosecution in Russia.
“I’d say this is something they’ve been working on for some time.”
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