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.

Taking ‘Kony2012’ Down a Notch – Responding to Criticism

Over the past few days, many readers have commented on the blog, Twitter, Facebook and I want to thank you all for that. Thanks to everyone who took the time to read our perspective. We have contributed to an incredibly … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Justice, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Peace Negotiations, Peace Processes, Uganda | 22 Comments

Taking ‘Kony 2012’ Down A Notch

As we speak, one of the most pervasive and successful human rights based viral campaigns in recent memory is underway. Invisible Children’s ‘Kony 2012‘ campaign has taken Twitter, Youtube, Facebook and every other mainstream social media refuge by storm. In … Continue reading

Posted in Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Uganda | 909 Comments

Whither ICC Deterrence in Libya?

In recent years, advocates of the International Criminal Court have shifted away from justifying international justice through purely moral claims towards arguing for trial justice on the basis of the consequences it can bring about. Leslie Vinjamuri has persuasively demonstrated … Continue reading

Posted in Deterrence, International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Libya and the ICC, NATO | 2 Comments

An Interview with the ICC’s Judge Howard Morrison

Peter Quayle joins JiC for this fascinating glimpse into the views of newly elected ICC Judge, Howard Morrison. In this extract of Peter’s interview, Morrison discusses his career at the ICTY and ICTR, the Karadzic trial (where Morrison is a … Continue reading

Posted in ICTY, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Interview, Justice | Leave a comment

The ICC and the Security Council: Just Say No?

Hilary Clinton recently suggested that Syrian President, Bashar Assad, fit the definition of a war criminal. Could the US be inching towards endorsing another UN Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court? Not so fast. Clinton added that, despite … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice, Libya, Libya and the ICC, NATO, Peace Processes, Syria, UN Security Council | 10 Comments

Is the ICC Racist?

I was tempted to answer the above question in JiC’s first-ever one-word post: “No.” However, in the past few weeks a number of individuals, including some whose views I respect greatly, have told me that they believe that the ICC … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), International Criminal Court (ICC), UN Security Council | 37 Comments

A Year of Justice in Conflict!

Dear readers, Today marks JiC’s one-year anniversary! We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your readership and your support. It has been quite the ride so far. Over the last 365 days, JiC has published over … Continue reading

Posted in JiC News | 1 Comment

Syria and the Arab Spring: International Criminal Law after a UN Veto

JiC welcomes Peter Quayle, a solicitor specialising in public international law and litigation and the author of an excellent blog on international law. In this guest-post, Peter considers the international legal parameters in responding to the ongoing crisis in Syria. … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Syria, UN Security Council | 2 Comments

Legacies of Injustice in Liberia: Transitional Justice and Economic Crimes

JiC is thrilled to welcome back Kara Apland for this thoughtful and thought-provoking guest-post. Drawing on the Liberian experience, Kara delves into the oft-neglected subject of economic crimes in the context of transitional justice. Enjoy! Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian president, winner of … Continue reading

Posted in Economics of Conflict, Liberia, Transitional Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, Truth Commission | 1 Comment

Why Libya should not join the ICC…Yet

It comes as no surprise that human rights NGOs and those aligned with the International Criminal Court are advocating that Arab Spring states join the ICC. After all, justice and human rights have been central to the uprisings that sprang … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Libya and the ICC | 6 Comments