Top European Rights Court Finds Russia Committed Abuses In Ukraine

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1:12 pm

European Court Condemns Russia for Human Rights Abuses in Ukraine

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued a landmark ruling, finding Russia responsible for a series of human rights violations in Ukraine. The court's decision, announced Wednesday, addresses actions dating back to 2014, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and the ongoing invasion.

The ECHR, part of the Council of Europe, determined that Russia violated the European Convention on Human Rights through various actions. These include the extrajudicial killing of civilians and Ukrainian military personnel, torture, forced labor, and unlawful detention. The court also cited the transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children by Russia as a violation.

The ruling mandates that Russia release or safely return all individuals deprived of liberty on Ukrainian territory under its control. Furthermore, Moscow is instructed to cooperate in establishing an international mechanism to identify and reunite Ukrainian children transferred to Russia before September 2022 with their families.

The case was brought before the court by Ukraine and the Netherlands. Ukraine filed three complaints concerning events from 2014 to 2022, while the Netherlands filed a complaint related to the MH17 flight. The court found that Russia's actions caused suffering to the victims' next of kin, violating their right to freedom from torture and punishment.

The Kremlin has dismissed the ruling, with a spokesperson stating that Russia does not intend to comply with the decision, considering it null and void. Despite Russia's stance, Ukraine has hailed the decision as a "historic victory," while the Netherlands has called it an "important step toward justice."

BNN's Perspective:

While the ECHR's ruling is a significant condemnation of Russia's actions, the practical impact remains uncertain given Russia's refusal to comply. The ruling serves as a strong symbolic statement and provides a legal basis for future accountability. However, the international community must continue to explore avenues for ensuring justice and holding those responsible for these violations accountable.

Keywords: European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, Russia, Ukraine, human rights violations, MH17, Council of Europe, extrajudicial killing, torture, forced labor, unlawful detention, Ukrainian children, international law, Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

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