Author Archives: Mark Kersten

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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 Counts against Ongwen – Effectiveness at the Price of Efficiency?

Danya Chaikel joins JiC for this fourth installment in our ongoing symposium on the trial of Dominic Ongwen and the prosecution of child soldiers. Danya is a lawyer and independent legal consultant specialising in international criminal law and human rights. … Continue reading

Posted in Child Soldiers, Dominic Ongwen ICC, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, northern Uganda, Symposium, Uganda | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Ongwen Trial and the Struggle for Justice in Northern Uganda

Rosebell Kagumire joins JiC for the second installation in our ongoing symposium on Dominic Ongwen and the prosecution of child soldiers. Rosebell is a Ugandan journalist, communications specialist, public speaker and award-winning blogger. She has over 10 years experience working … Continue reading

Posted in Child Soldiers, Dominic Ongwen ICC, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, northern Uganda, Uganda | Tagged | 31 Comments

Rupturing Official Histories in the Trial of Dominic Ongwen

Continuing our symposium on the trial of Dominic Ongwen and the prosecution of child soldiers, Adam Branch joins JiC for this piece on how the Ongwen trial fits within the dominant narratives of the war. Adam is a Lecturer in … Continue reading

Posted in Child Soldiers, Dominic Ongwen ICC, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, northern Uganda, Symposium, Uganda | Tagged | 6 Comments

The Life and Times of Dominic Ongwen, Child Soldier and LRA Commander

In the first piece for JiC’s symposium on The Dominic Ongwen Trial and the Prosecution of Child Soldiers, Ledio Cakaj joins JiC for this fascinating account of the life of LRA commander and former child soldier, Dominic Ongwen. Ledio is … Continue reading

Posted in Central African Republic (CAR), Child Soldiers, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominic Ongwen ICC, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), northern Uganda, Symposium, Uganda | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Dominic Ongwen Trial and the Prosecution of Child Soldiers – A JiC Symposium

After two decades spent fighting in the bush, Dominic Ongwen, a senior commander in the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), faces trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on seventy counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In early … Continue reading

Posted in Child Soldiers, Dominic Ongwen ICC, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Uganda | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Justice for Post-Election Violence in Kenya – An Obituary

Champions of international accountability join with the survivors of human rights violations in Kenya to announce the premature death of justice for crimes perpetrated in the aftermath of the 2007 elections. Following the final death throes of the cases at … Continue reading

Posted in International and Organized Crimes Division of Kenya, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Justice, Kenya, Kenya and the ICC | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

A Missed Trial or a Mistrial? The End of the ICC Cases against Ruto and Sang

It’s over. Almost six years after the International Criminal Court (ICC) intervened to investigate those responsible for the 2007-08 post-election violence in Kenya, everyone of the Court’s targets has escaped judgement day. What started out as the “Ocampo Six” — … Continue reading

Posted in International and Organized Crimes Division of Kenya, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Kenya, Kenya and the ICC | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is the South African Government an Accessory to Genocide in Darfur?

The Government of South Africa continues to be bombarded with criticism regarding its handling of a visit last summer by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who faces war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Darfur, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Omar al-Bashir, South Africa | Tagged | 7 Comments

Justice in Conflict – The Book (and a Plan to ‘Give Research Back’)!

I could not be more excited to announce the publication of my book, Justice in Conflict The Effects of the International Criminal Court’s Interventions on Ending Wars and Building Peace. The book explores many of the same themes as the … Continue reading

Posted in JiC News, Justice in Conflict | 5 Comments

David beats Goliath in the Bashir case, but does the International Community give a Hoot?

The campaign against Omar al-Bashir racked up an impressive win this week. In the latest development in an ongoing legal tug-of-war, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the government of South Africa had acted unlawfully when it … Continue reading

Posted in Darfur, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, South Africa, Sudan | 3 Comments