‘For our children, stop this pointless war’

Evie, Mo and Otis Maslin, who were killed in the MH17 disaster with their grandfather Nick Norris. Source: Supplied

THE Perth parents of the three Maslin children killed when MH17 was shot out of the sky have called for an end to the pointless war in the Ukraine in memory of their children as their bodies finally arrived home.

Anthony Maslin and Marite "Rin" Norris released the heart-wrenching statement through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after the remains of their children, Mo, 12, Evie, 10 and eight-year-old Otis, as well as their grandfather Nick Norris arrived on home soil in Australia last Thursday – three months after the tragedy.

Describing their life as an ongoing hell, they said the love and respect for their children was unconditional and would never weaken. They said they shared their grief with families of the 298 victims in the Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Australia and elsewhere.

Rin Norris and Anthony Maslin pay tribute to their children at a Fremantle Dockers game. Source: News Corp Australia

"For the last three months, they have been lying in a cold room on the other side of the world. Reconciling this fact with the knowledge that our children are here with us, spiritually, every moment is one of the most relentless and agonising difficulties of our current life," they said.

"Our children were taken from us by a war in which we, and our country had no part.

"It is impossible to understand the reason they were blown out of the sky.

"Please respect our children's memory, and stop this pointless war."

A family photo of Anthony Maslin and Rin Norris, with their children Otis, Mo and Evie. Source: Supplied

The statement went on to pay a loving tribute to each child and their unique personality and thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, friends and family for their support.

Mr Maslin and Ms Norris ended their statement by saying: "Love, only love is all we have left."

Mr Norris was accompanying his three grandchildren back to Perth for the start of the school year while their parents stayed behind in Amsterdam for an extra couple of days.

Nick Norris, killed on MH17 with his three grandchildren. Source: Supplied

The bodies of the three Maslin children and their grandfather were among some of the Australian victims whose remains were flown to Melbourne on Thursday.

Thirty-eight Australians were among the 298 people killed when rebels shot down the Malaysia Airlines flight above eastern Ukraine on July 17.

The Victorian Coroner co-ordinated the certification process for the bodies meaning the victims came via Melbourne before returning to their home states for burial.

Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin. Source: Supplied

"We have brought home the bodies of our children, Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin (aged 12, 10 and 8) from the Netherlands, along with their grandfather, Nick Norris.

For the last three months, they have been lying in a cold room on the other side of the world. Reconciling this fact with the knowledge that our children are here with us, spiritually, every moment is one of the most relentless and agonising difficulties of our current life.

Our love and respect for our children remains unlimited and unconditional. It will never weaken – our children have been our entire world.

We have been two of the luckiest and happiest people on the planet. What remains for us now is to honour our children.

We honour Mo – his wisdom, his compassionate heart, and his total selflessness. Mo is peaceful and inclusive. Mo can accept people of all ages and backgrounds, make them feel special, and have them know they are with someone extraordinary.

We honour Evie and her boundless, unlimited love. She is empathetic, beautiful, funny, artistic and creative. Her gentle spirit, warmth and absolute kindness are recognised by all who know her.

We honour Otis and his complete and humbling fascination with all things outdoors, big and small, near and far. Oti provides all of us with carefree joy and laughter – perhaps the most powerful gift of all.

Otis, Mo and Evie Maslin. Source: Supplied

Our children were taken from us by a war in which we, and our country had no part. It is impossible to understand the reason they were blown out of the sky.

Our lives are an ongoing hell. The pain we are enduring is unfathomable, and we grieve alongside families in the Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Australia and elsewhere.

Please respect our children's memory, and stop this pointless war.

No hate in the world is as strong as the love we have for our children, for Mo, for Evie, for Otis.

No hate in the world is as strong as the love we have for Grandad Nick.

No hate in the world is as strong as the love we have for each other.

Thanks to DFAT and their international support team. Thanks also to our friends and our family for their support and love. Love, only love, it is all we have left."

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