The United Nations Draft Resolution For MH17 Released
The United Nations is getting involved in the MH17 investigations that is now known as the world's biggest crime scene.
By Mei Mei Chu — 21 Jul 2014, 01:15 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
UN Unanimously Adopts Resolution To Strongly Condemn Downing Of MH17
The UN Security Council holds a moment of silence in honour of the victims of crashed flight MH17.
Image via un.orgThe Security Council today called for an international investigation into last week’s downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight in eastern Ukraine, and demanded that armed groups allow unfettered access to the crash site and ensure that its integrity is maintained.
un.orgIn a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body condemned “in the strongest terms” the downing of flight MH17 on 17 July in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, which resulted in the tragic loss of 298 lives.
un.orgLast week Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman told the Council that while the UN had no independent verification of the circumstances regarding the crash, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was alarmed at “credible, numerous reports” suggesting that a sophisticated surface-to-air missile was used.
un.orgThe apparent deliberate downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine, he added, highlighted the need for an urgent resumption of a ceasefire and a serious effort to end the ongoing crisis in that country. “This horrifying incident serves as the starkest reminder of how dire the situation in eastern Ukraine has become – and how it affects countries and families well beyond Ukraine’s borders,” he said in a briefing to the Council.
un.orgThe United Nations Security Council Will Meet Today, 21 July 2014, To Vote On A Resolution That Would Condemn The Downing Of MAS Flight MH17
The UN Security Council is due to vote Monday on a resolution that would condemn the downing of a Malaysian passenger plane in Ukraine and demands that those responsible be held accountable and that armed groups don’t compromise the crash site integrity.
A vote was set for Monday at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT).
ndtv.com
Members of the United Nations Security Council observe a moment of silence for the victims of MH17
Image via themalaymailonline.comAccording To A Draft Text Of The Resolution Circulated By Australia, The UN Will Condemn The Shooting And Demand For Those Responsible To Be Held Accountable
Australia – which lost 28 citizens – circulated a draft text to the 15-member Security Council late on Saturday and UN diplomats said it could be put to a vote as early as today.
themalaysianinsider.com
The UN draft resolution "demands that those responsible for this incident be held to account and that all states co-operate fully with efforts to establish accountability”. It "condemns in the strongest terms the shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 ... resulting in the tragic loss of 298 lives" and "demands that all states and other actors in the region refrain from acts of violence directed against civilian aircraft".
theguardian.com
The Draft Resolution Expresses Grave Concerns At The Insufficient And Limited Access To The Crash Site, And Will Demand For All States In The Region To Fully Co-operate In The Investigation
Armed pro-Russian separatists stand guard at a crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, near the village of Hrabove, Donetsk region.
Image via hindustantimes.comThe draft UN resolution "calls on all states and actors in the region to co-operate fully in relation to the international investigation of the incident, including with respect to immediate access to the crash site".
theguardian.com
The draft resolution “expresses grave concern at reports of insufficient and limited access to the crash site.” It “demands that the armed groups in control of the crash site and the surrounding area refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site … and immediately provide safe, secure, full and unrestricted access to the site and surrounding area for the appropriate investigating authorities.”
International monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe visited part of the crash site for a third day on Sunday. They said on Saturday that gunmen had stopped them approaching some of the wreckage.
It Also Insists That The Bodies Of The Victims Are Treated In A Dignified, Respectful And Professional Manner
The draft resolution also “insists that the bodies of the victims are treated in a dignified, respectful and professional manner and calls upon all parties concerned to ensure that this happens with immediate effect.”
Television images of the rebel-held crash sites, where the remains of victims had lain decomposing in fields among their personal belongings, have turned initial shock and sorrow after Thursday’s disaster into anger. The bodies had been removed from much of the crash site by Sunday.
Besides That, The Text Urge Countries To Respect International Civil Aviation Rules To Prevent The Recurrence Of Such Acts Of Violence Against Civilian Aircraft
Besides That, The Text Urge Countries To Respect International Civil Aviation Rules To Prevent The Recurrence Of Such Acts Of Violence Directed Against Civilian Aircraft
Image via businessinsider.comThe text also urges countries to respect international civil aviation safety rules "in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, and demands that all states and other actors refrain from acts of violence directed against civilian aircraft."
ndtv.com
Russia, Which Is A Permanent Member Of The UN Security Council, Has The Right To Use Its Veto Power To Reject The Resolution
Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has the right to exercise its veto power to scrap the resolution.
ndtv.com
World leaders have demanded Russian President Vladimir Putin use his influence to persuade the rebels to hand over the victims and allow full access to the crash site. Major European nations have warned Moscow of additional possible sanctions over the crash.
On Friday, panel members, including Russia, demanded a full, independent probe of the downing. One Western diplomat said it was difficult to know whether the Russians would exercise their veto power, adding Moscow was under significant pressure. The diplomat did not rule out the possibility that Russia could ask for more time to examine the text.