The families of the 298 people who died when flight MH17 was downed over Ukraine are steeling themselves for a slew of bitter legal battles, on the eve of the tragedy's second anniversary.
Sunday marks the deadline for relatives to launch action against Malaysia Airlines, which operated the passenger jet that was shot down with a surface-air-missile over war-torn eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.
The Boeing 777 was on a routine flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur when it was hit by a Russian-made BUK missile, fired from territory held by pro-Russian separatists locked in a fierce conflict with Kiev.
Dozens of Dutch relatives are close to filing a lawsuit by the weekend if negotiations fail to secure compensation for "psychological trauma", news reports said.
A 1999 convention allows bereaved families to launch claims against airlines for up to two years, but "psychological trauma" does not qualify.
Malaysia Airlines "will also be reluctant to set a precedent" if it pays damages for psychological trauma, added Pablo Mendes de Leon, an air and space law professor at Leiden University.
The ailing Malaysian national carrier is already facing a legal challenge by families of six crew members who are blaming the airline for the tragedy.
Yet another claim could be added this week, lawyer Mathew Thomas Philip told AFP.
Elsewhere, a suit by 33 next-of-kin from Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia was filed against Russia and President Vladimir Putin in the European Court of Human Rights in May.
The claimants are suing for 6.8 million euros ($7.6 million) for each lost relative, their lawyer Jerry Skinner said.
Thirty families are also getting ready for a US-based lawsuit against "several people and entities that support the separatists on Ukrainian soil", lawyer James Healy-Pratt told AFP.
Other relatives want a pro-Russian separatist leader to pay 779 million euros in damages, while the mother of a German victim is suing Kiev for allowing passenger planes to fly through its airspace -- even though it knew there was an ongoing war.
'Justice not done'
Sunday marks the second anniversary of the crash that saw 298 passengers -- the majority of them Dutch -- and crew lose their lives.
The largest gathering will be in the small Dutch town of Vijfhuizen near Amsterdam's Schiphol international airport, where relatives plan a future memorial for the victims.
At the gathering, the names of all the victims will be read and there will be a minutes' silence, the organisers have said.
Relatives are also looking forward to the initial findings of a criminal investigation later this summer, which is expected to shed light on the exact type of missile used to shoot down the plane and where it was shot from.
An international inquiry concluded in October that the Boeing 777 was shot down by a BUK missile fired from a zone held by the pro-Russian separatists, but stopped short of saying who was responsible.
The criminal investigation's findings could open the way for further lawsuits in future.
"There will always be legal resorts and procedures available... once the facts have been established," Jill Coster van Voorhout of the Hague Institute for Global Justice think-tank said.
But relatives' main concern is not money.
Lawyer Healy-Pratt said: "No amount of money can bring back their loved ones. They want the truth. Justice has not been done."
AFP
Thu Jul 14 2016
![MH17 families steel for legal fight on second anniversary MH17 families steel for legal fight on second anniversary](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/41468469192_HedgeOfCompassion.jpg)
A July 17, 2015 file photo of a mourner taking a close-up picture of a 'hedge of compassion', made of thousands of dolls found along the road and at Schiphol airport prior to a commemoration ceremony of MH17 victims. - AFP Photo
![KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/71682503318_PEMANTAUANUDARAAPM.jpg)
KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi
Prestasi paling penting ialah peningkatan perbelanjaan isi rumah, disebabkan oleh keyakinan isi rumah yang semakin baik.
![Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723691432_NidzaAfham.jpg)
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41705320699_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok
Pada 8 pagi, ringgit meningkat sedikit kepada 4.4150/4250 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.4170/4235 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
![Malaysia Airlines sahkan pesawat MH156 alami masalah teknikal Malaysia Airlines sahkan pesawat MH156 alami masalah teknikal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41722779287_Umrahpesawatterge.jpg)
Malaysia Airlines sahkan pesawat MH156 alami masalah teknikal
MAS berkata, kesemua penumpang telah disediakan tempat penginapan sementara, penerbangan baharu dijadualkan pada jam 9 pagi, 5 Ogos 2024
![Pesawat Malaysia Airlines bawa jemaah umrah berpatah balik selepas 2 jam berlepas Pesawat Malaysia Airlines bawa jemaah umrah berpatah balik selepas 2 jam berlepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71722769296_Umrahpesawatterge.jpg)
Pesawat Malaysia Airlines bawa jemaah umrah berpatah balik selepas 2 jam berlepas
Sebuah pesawat Malaysia Airlines MH156 yang dalam perjalanan dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) ke Jeddah dilaporkan terpaksa berpatah balik hari ini.
![Amal sasar tingkat dua kali ganda jumlah jemaah dalam masa lima tahun Amal sasar tingkat dua kali ganda jumlah jemaah dalam masa lima tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61722311151_AMALMalaysiaAirlin.jpg)
Amal sasar tingkat dua kali ganda jumlah jemaah dalam masa lima tahun
Angka yang menjadi sasaran Amal ialah 40,000 jemaah umrah berbanding 20,000 penumpang setiap bulan ketika ini.
![Amal perkenal pakej umrah khas hargai GLC, rapat ukhuwah Amal perkenal pakej umrah khas hargai GLC, rapat ukhuwah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722225980_MalaysiaAirline.jpg)
Amal perkenal pakej umrah khas hargai GLC, rapat ukhuwah
Amal laksana promosi dan tawar diskaun harga bagi menjadikan pakej kami lebih murah berbanding dengan pakej-pakej lain sedia ada di pasaran.
![Taufan Gaemi: Malaysia Airlines batal penerbangan MH366 dan MH367 Taufan Gaemi: Malaysia Airlines batal penerbangan MH366 dan MH367](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-04/61556544492_MASaeroplane.jpg)
Taufan Gaemi: Malaysia Airlines batal penerbangan MH366 dan MH367
Malaysia Airlines telah membatalkan penerbangan MH366 dari Kuala Lumpur ke Taipei dan penerbangan MH367 dari Taipei ke Kuala Lumpur hari ini susulan cuaca buruk yang disebabkan oleh Taufan Gaemi.
![Gangguan IT global: MAG sahkan jadual penerbangan Malaysia Airlines, Firefly tidak terjejas Gangguan IT global: MAG sahkan jadual penerbangan Malaysia Airlines, Firefly tidak terjejas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721388051_MalaysiaAirlines.jpg)
Gangguan IT global: MAG sahkan jadual penerbangan Malaysia Airlines, Firefly tidak terjejas
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) mengesahkan jadual penerbangan untuk Malaysia Airlines dan Firefly hari ini kekal tidak terjejas.
![Gangguan IT global: Operasi Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia dan MAHB tidak terjejas Gangguan IT global: Operasi Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia dan MAHB tidak terjejas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81719306549_GenericKLIA.jpg)
Gangguan IT global: Operasi Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia dan MAHB tidak terjejas
Perkhidmatan MAHB tidak terjejas oleh gangguan IT global yang mengakibatkan sebahagian besar perjalanan tergendala di Eropah, Amerika Syarikat dan Australia.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Tragedi MH17: Sedekad berlalu, keadilan akan terus dituntut Tragedi MH17: Sedekad berlalu, keadilan akan terus dituntut](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720776307_UkraineCrisis.jpg)
Tragedi MH17: Sedekad berlalu, keadilan akan terus dituntut
Mahkamah itu dalam penghakiman memutuskan bahawa mahkamah tidak meragui sama sekali bahawa MH17 telah terkena sebutir peluru berpandu BUK yang ditembak dari padang di ladang di timur Ukraine.
![Malaysia Airlines dijangka terima pesawat A330neo pertama pada suku ketiga 2024 Malaysia Airlines dijangka terima pesawat A330neo pertama pada suku ketiga 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720845271_MalaysiaAirlines.jpg)
Malaysia Airlines dijangka terima pesawat A330neo pertama pada suku ketiga 2024
Malaysia Airlines dijangka menerima pesawat A330neo pertamanya pada suku ketiga tahun ini.