European Court of Human Rights: Russia has been held accountable for widespread human rights violations in Ukraine

The European Court of Human Rights has delivered an important ruling in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, holding Moscow accountable for widespread and flagrant human rights violations in Ukraine since 2014. The Grand Chamber found Russia responsible for a range of severe abuses, including indiscriminate military attacks, summary executions, torture, and using rape as a weapon of war. The Court also cited arbitrary detentions, persecution of journalists and religious groups, destruction and stealing of private property, and the forced removal and adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia.

In a significant finding, the Court determined that Russia was directly responsible for downing flight MH17 in 2014, which resulted in the deaths of 298 passengers and crew, many of whom were Dutch nationals. The ruling emphasised that no other state since World War II has shown such blatant disregard for the rule of law and international legal order, highlighting the gravity of Russia’s actions. Consequently, the Court confirmed that Russia had violated several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to life, prohibition of torture, right to an effective remedy, and right to respect for private and family life.

This unanimous decision by the Grand Chamber spans over eight years, from May 2014 to September 2022, considering violations in Crimea and occupied territories of eastern Ukraine. While the Court has yet to decide on the quantification of damages, over 7,400 individual applications related to events in Crimea, eastern Ukraine, and the Sea of Azov are still pending.