Author Archives: Mark Kersten

Unknown's avatar

About Mark Kersten

Mark Kersten is an Assistant Professor in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, and a Senior Consultant at the Wayamo Foundation in Berlin, Germany. Mark is the founder of the blog Justice in Conflict and author of the book, published by Oxford University Press, by the same name. He holds an MSc and PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a BA (Hons) from the University of Guelph. Mark has previously been a Research Associate at the Refugee Law Project in Uganda, and as researcher at Justice Africa and Lawyers for Justice in Libya in London. He has taught courses on genocide studies, the politics of international law, transitional justice, diplomacy, and conflict and peace studies at the London School of Economics, SOAS, and University of Toronto. Mark’s research has appeared in numerous academic fora as well as in media publications such as The Globe and Mail, Al Jazeera, BBC, Foreign Policy, the CBC, Toronto Star, and The Washington Post. He has a passion for gardening, reading, hockey (on ice), date nights, late nights, Lego, and creating time for loved ones.

What the ICC Can Do to Improve its Relationship with African States

Allegations that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is biased against ‘Africa’ are nothing new. They have persisted for nearly a decade now and have only achieved greater salience in the wake of the recent decisions of South Africa, Burundi, and … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, African Union (AU), International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice | 8 Comments

Ten African States Who Will Stick with the International Criminal Court

In the wake of South Africa’s, Burundi’s and The Gambia’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the focus of observers and commentators has been on who is next. Who will join the “queue” to leave the ICC? … Continue reading

Posted in Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA), African Union (AU), Botswana, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast and the ICC, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa | 5 Comments

Some Thoughts on South Africa’s Withdrawal From the International Criminal Court

Contrary to the suggestion of some, the dust on South Africa’s and Burundi’s (and Gambia‘s) withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has not settled. It won’t for some time. These two withdrawals have sparked an intense debate on the … Continue reading

Posted in Botswana, Gambia, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Omar al-Bashir, South Africa, Sudan | 5 Comments

Transitional Justice Battlegrounds: Another Bad Week in Burundi

Astrid Jamar joins JiC for this guest-post on recent developments regarding transitional and international criminal justice in Burundi. Astrid is a Research Assistant in Political Settlements Research Programmes at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Law. Transitional justice has been … Continue reading

Posted in Burundi, Guest Posts, Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Justice, Transitional Justice, United Nations | 6 Comments

Gabon Refers Itself to the ICC as Others Threaten to Withdraw

Stephen Lamony joins JiC for this article on Gabon’s self-referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the threat of African Union states to withdraw from the Court. Stephen is the Head of Advocacy and Policy, Coalition for the International … Continue reading

Posted in Gabon, Guest Posts, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice | Tagged | 1 Comment

Calls to Prosecute War Crimes in Syria are Growing. Is international justice possible?

This article, originally published for the Washington Post’s Monkey Cage blog, focuses on the (very) imperfect options for justice and accountability in Syria. Much of this has been covered at JiC over the years, but I hope it remains of … Continue reading

Posted in Ad hoc tribunals, Hybrid Tribunals, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Iraq, ISIS, Islamic State, Syria | 6 Comments

Burundi’s Awkward — and Mostly Pointless — Farewell to the ICC

A government led by a President accused of mass human rights violations and crimes against humanity is seeking to end its relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC). No, the President insists, this is not about hiding from justice. Instead, … Continue reading

Posted in Burundi, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Preliminary Examinations | Tagged | 3 Comments

Peace and Justice in Colombia – I Fought the Law and the Law Won

Mark Drumbl joins JiC for this post on the role and relevance of international law in the Colombia peace process. Mark is the Class of 1975 Alumni Professor of Law & Director, Transnational Law Institute, Washington & Lee School of … Continue reading

Posted in Colombia, International Criminal Justice, International Law, Peace and Justice in Colombia Symposium | Tagged | 3 Comments

Meeting International Standards: Amnesty in the Colombian Peace Deal

Josepha Close joins JiC for this post on the issue of amnesty in the peace agreement between the FARC and the Colombian government. Josepha PhD graduate from Middlesex University. Her research focuses on the status of amnesties granted for serious … Continue reading

Posted in Amnesty, Colombia, Peace and Justice in Colombia Symposium | 4 Comments

The Great Escape? The Role of the International Criminal Court in the Colombian Peace Process.

As our online symposium on peace and justice continues, Kirsten Ainley joins JiC for this contribution on the role that the ICC played in the Colombian peace process. Kirsten is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the LSE and … Continue reading

Posted in Colombia, Guest Posts, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Peace and Justice in Colombia Symposium, Peace Negotiations, Peace Processes, Preliminary Examinations | Tagged | 2 Comments