Ukraine, three other countries appeal to ICAO over passenger jet downing by Iran

That’s according to a joint statement of the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

In the statement, the ministers of Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom wrote they had jointly initiated the dispute settlement proceedings before the ICAO against the Islamic Republic of Iran for using weapons against a civil aircraft in flight in breach of Iran's international legal obligations under Article 3bis of the Convention on International Civil aviation (known as the Chicago Convention).

"For four years now, Iran has refused to take full legal responsibility for the downing of Flight PS752 despite our numerous attempts to engage in negotiations on this matter. As a result, we have referred the dispute to the ICAO Council for a decision pursuant to Article 84 of the Chicago Convention," the top diplomats noted.

The ministers are convinced that the initiation of these proceedings today reflects their commitment to the families who deserve justice. It also reflects our trust in the ICAO council, and the international community writ large, as guardian of the safety and security of civil aviation, including by settling disputes when they arise.

"It is necessary that those who violate the rules are held accountable. Our common hope is that this action alongside our continued pursuit of justice at the International Court of Justice can lead to real change and prevent similar tragic losses in the future. Justice shall prevail," the statement emphasized.

As reported, on January 8, 2020, a UIA passenger jet flight PS752 en route Tehran-Kyiv was shot down shortly after it took off from Tehran. Citizens of Iran, Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, and the UK were on board.

All 176 people died, including eleven Ukrainians (nine crew members and two passengers). After several days of denials, the Iranian authorities admitted that the Ukrainian plane was mistakenly shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

On December 29, 2020, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the title of Heroes of Ukraine and the Golden Star to the crew of flight PS752.

Photo: AA