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.

The UN says Nuh-Uh to Mediators Talking with ICC Indictees?

Should we negotiate with individuals suspected of having committed the most egregious international crimes? This question goes to the very heart of the “peace versus justice” debate and has long been hotly contested. On the one hand, most in the … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), International Law, Peace Negotiations, Peace Processes, Peacebuilding, Uncategorized, United Nations | Tagged | Leave a comment

The ICC might not deter Mali’s Rebels – but it might deter the Government

Last week, Fatou Bensouda, the chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court warned Mali’s government that she could investigate alleged atrocities committed by the government’s military forces. And it’s a good thing she did. While the ICC may have little-to-no … Continue reading

Posted in Deterrence, International Criminal Court (ICC), Mali, Uganda | 4 Comments

The ICC and Regime Change: Some Thoughts but Mostly Questions

Few issues in international criminal justice are as contentious as the relationship between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and regime change. After all, it goes right to the heart of the tensions between humanitarianism and the messy realities of conflict … Continue reading

Posted in Conflict Resolution, Darfur, Humanitarian Intervention, International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Libya and the ICC, Syria | 8 Comments

Intervention in Mali: Human Rights First?

A familiar face returns to JiC, as Andrew Jillions joins us for this timely post the need for a human-rights focused approach to France’s intervention in Mali. For more of Andrew’s post, see here. Enjoy! Where have all the humanitarians gone? It is security, … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, Humanitarian Intervention, International Law, Mali | 7 Comments

Trading Justice for Temporary Peace: Not Just a Bad Idea?

If the United Nations Security Council ever refers the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court, you can be certain that the referral will include a reference to the Security Council’s ability, under Article 16 of the Rome Statute, … Continue reading

Posted in Article 16, Conflict Resolution, International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice, Kenya, Peace Negotiations, Peace Processes, Uganda | Tagged | Leave a comment

My Wife and Kids…and my Drone

Richard Slade joins JiC for this post on the precarious logic behind the use of drone strikes. Richard is an International Criminal law and Human Rights Writer and Researcher from New Zealand living in Melbourne, Australia. Richard, who blogs at Flightless … Continue reading

Posted in Drones, International Law | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Where it all Began – Tracing the Birth of the ICC

Katharina Neureiter joins JiC for this fascinating glimpse into the historical roots of the ICC. Katharina based on her Dissertation on Gustave Moynier’s proposal for an international criminal court. Katharina works as a journalist and consultant and blogs at www.hearabout.wordpress.com. The … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), International Law | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A Big Day for the US and the ICC: Rewards for Justice Program Extended

The new year has brought some big news for the relationship between the ICC and the United States. According to the great folks at the American Non-Governmental Organizations Coalition for the International Criminal Court (AMICC), on January 3 Congress passed an expansion … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), United States | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

2013: A Decisive Year for Kenya — and the ICC

Andrea Russell joins JiC for this fascinating guest-post on the potential implications of the ICC’s intervention on Kenya’s upcoming Presidential elections. Andrea teaches International Criminal Law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where she also serves as Executive … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Kenya | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy 2013 from JiC!

Dear readers, Happy 2013 from all of us at Justice in Conflict! 2012 was a wonderful whirlwind for the blog. Keeping with our goal to expand debates on ‘justice in conflict’, we featured dozens of guest-posters who shared their views … Continue reading

Posted in JiC News | 1 Comment