PUTRAJAYA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia believed the establishment of an international criminal tribunal UN Security Council was necessary to hold and account those responsible for the downing of MH17.
In a statement earlier, it said that the establishment of a tribunal by the council prior to the completion of the criminal investigation of MH17 would ensure that the tribunal was as neutral as possible.
"The judges, prosecutor and registrar would be appointed by the UN Secretary-General while the Prosecutor would be entirely independent and would have the power to conduct additional investigations," it added.
The statement further elaborated the establishment of the tribunal now was also consistent with the Security Council’s own practice,adding that all other ad hoc criminal courts and tribunals were established prior to the completion of investigations.
“It is important for the Security Council to take clear and decisive action against those responsible for the downing of MH17 to send a clear message to the growing number of non-State actors with the ability to target civilian aircraft that such attacks will not be tolerated," it said.