Plane downing may be war crime, says UN

[SHAKHTARSK, Ukraine] The downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 may constitute a war crime, the United Nations said yesterday, as explosions and fighting blocked a new attempt by Dutch and Australian police to reach the crash site in insurgent-held eastern Ukraine.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned the "horrendous shooting down" of the Malaysian passenger jet in rebel-held territory, and demanded a "thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation".

"This violation of international law, given the prevailing circumstances, may amount to a war crime," Ms Pillay said. "Every effort will be made to ensure that anyone committing serious violations of international law including war crimes will be brought to justice, no matter who the…