Russia on Monday introduced an
alternative draft resolution at the UN Security Council in a bid to
thwart the creation of a tribunal that would prosecute those responsible
for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over rebel-held east
Ukraine.
Relatives of those killed when flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine gather in front of an 'hedge of compassion' made of thousands of dolls in Nieuwegein on July 17, 2015
The Netherlands, whose citizens made up
the majority of the 298 people killed in the July 2014 disaster, is
working with Malaysia and other countries to create an international
tribunal.
Malaysia introduced a draft resolution
calling for the tribunal under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which means
that efforts to prosecute those responsible could be enforced by
sanctions.
But Russian ambassador to the United
Nations reiterated Moscow's opposition to a tribunal mandated by the UN
and told reporters Monday that Russia had drafted an alternative
resolution.
"We believe it is not in the UN charter. The UN Security Council is not supposed to deal with issues like this," he added.
A copy of the draft resolution obtained
by AFP made no mention of a special tribunal, but called for a "full,
thorough, transparent and independent international investigation."
It suggested the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) "could play a more active and appropriate
role" in the investigation and that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
nominate a special representative.
It urged "the earliest possible
finalization of the investigation" and called on the joint investigation
team (the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine) to
"keep the Council fully and regularly informed" on its progress.
It insisted on "just and equal access"
to the materials of the investigation "by all interested states" and
expresses concern that the investigation has not so far ensured "due
transparency."
The five countries leading the
investigation reiterated their support for an "independent tribunal" and
said the investigation was conducted in compliance with ICAO
guidelines.
Consultations on the text began behind closed-doors on the resolution on Monday, diplomats said.
Russia President Vladimir Putin said last week that establishing an international tribunal would be counterproductive.
One Security Council diplomat told AFP
that supporters of the tribunal would submit their resolution for a vote
in "the middle of next week."
Russia wields a veto and can block the initiative.
Investigators from the Netherlands are
leading an international probe into the downing of the Amsterdam-Kuala
Lumpur flight and are expected to release a final report in early
October.
Ukraine and many in the West have
accused pro-Russian separatists of shooting down the plane, saying they
may have used a surface-to-air missile supplied by Russia.
Russia and the rebels deny any responsibility and point the finger at Ukraine's military.
Source: AFP