M'sia disappointed by UNSC's failure to set up tribunal

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is deeply disappointed by the failure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt the draft resolution for the establishment of an ad hoc international criminal tribunal to try those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement today, said the draft resolution would ensure justice for the victims' families and loved ones, and accountability for the perpetrators.
"It is sending a dangerous message of impunity for the perpetrators of the heinous crime, as well as jeopardising the safety of civil aviation over conflict zones in future," it said.
The draft resolution failed to be adopted by the UNSC due to a veto from Russia, despite obtaining 11 votes of support from Chad, Chile, France, Jordan, Lithuania, Nigeria, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
China, Venezuela and Angola abstained from voting.
The statement said Malaysia would remain steadfast in the determination to pursue accountability for the perpetrators and to ensure justice for all the innocent victims on board MH17.
"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," it added.
Malaysia introduced the draft resolution on Wednesday before the UNSC and the initiative was made on behalf of five countries participating in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on the downing of MH17, comprising Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
The draft resolution was introduced by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to the Security Council. – Bernama