Last week, Ukrainian-Australian communities came together around Australia to mark 11 years since the downing of flight #MH17 – a horrific act of state-sponsored violence that claimed 298 lives, including 38 Australians.
Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox joint memorial prayer services were held at the Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Canberra and Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brisbane. We thank Father Michael Solomko, Father Vasyl Motrichenko, Father Simon Ckuj, Father Bohdan Vozniak, Father Andriy Mykytyuk, Father Yurko Fediv and Father Stefan Sapun 
In Canberra, the chargé d’affaires of The Netherlands, the Deputy British High Commissioner, and consular officials from the Ukrainian and Indonesian Embassies attended the memorial service.
Also in Canberra, a national commemoration event jointly organised by the AFUO and Friends of Ukraine Canberra-Queanbeyan was held on Saturday 19 July, with the attendance of Shane Rattenbury MLA, ACT MLA and Greens leader, David Smith MP, Ukrainian Embassy officials, and community members from the ACT and NSW.
The Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania dedicated their Saturday rally to the MH17 anniversary.
Media coverage was secured on ABC Radio Canberra (interview with Andriy Liszczynsky), 2CC Canberra (interview with Marusya Jacyshyn) and SBS TV World News.
The AFUO extends its sincere thanks to everyone who helped organise and took part in the commemoration events and services.
This year’s commemorations carried added weight following the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights confirming russia’s responsibility for the shooting down of MH17, and condemning its ongoing human rights abuses in Ukraine.
There can be no justice without accountability.
We continue to stand with the families of MH17.
Truth matters. Justice must prevail.
