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.

Bashir Visits Libya: But Where’s the West’s Condemnation?

Unsurprisingly, the international criminal justice blogosphere is abuzz with news of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s visit to Libya (see here, here and here). Bashir, as readers will know, is wanted by the Court for all three charges on the ICC’s … Continue reading

Posted in Libya, Libya and the ICC, Sudan | 2 Comments

Yikes! Bashir Visits as Libya Defends Right to Try Saif

There are two significant events to report on the pursuit and politics of justice in Libya. First, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by the International Criminal Court, visited Libya to offer “advice” … Continue reading

Posted in Complementarity, Darfur, Libya, Libya and the ICC, Peacebuilding, The Tripoli Three (Tripoli3), UN Security Council | 1 Comment

The ICC’s got an African Prosecutor: Does it Matter?

Even since it became clear that Fatou Bensouda would succeed Luis Moreno-Ocampo as the ICC’s next top Prosecutor, I have wondered to what extent Bensouda‘s African background would matter. In particular, will the mere fact that Bensouda is Gambian and … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), Fatou Bensouda, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Sudan, United States, Zimbabwe | Leave a comment

JiC’s 2011 International Criminal Justice Awards!

For the pursuit and project of international criminal justice, 2011 has been nothing short of extraordinary. We will almost surely still be talking about 2011 in 2031. This past year has brought an unprecedented – and even surprising – level … Continue reading

Posted in Fatou Bensouda, Funding, Human Rights, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast and the ICC, JiC News, Justice, Libya, Libya and the ICC, Nuremberg Trials, Osama bin Laden, Osama bin Laden and international law, Palestine, Palestine and the ICC | 1 Comment

Final thoughts from the ASP – Austerity and the ICC

Teddy Nicholson gives his final thoughts on the Assembly of the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. His focus is on the controversial negotiations which resulted in a smaller than hoped for budget for the … Continue reading

Posted in Assembly of States Parties, Funding, International Criminal Court (ICC), UN Security Council | Leave a comment

The ICC, Funding, and Bensouda: A Response from, and to, Dov Jacobs

Dov Jacobs, one of the sharpest and most thoughtful commentators on issues of international criminal law and justice, has a few new posts up at his must-read blog, Spreading the Jam. In his latest piece, Dov considers and takes aim … Continue reading

Posted in Assembly of States Parties, Fatou Bensouda, Funding, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice | Leave a comment

$ome (Potentially Very) Bad News for the ICC

Over the last week, member states of the International Criminal Court have gathered in New York City. They had a lot on their plate: select a new Prosecutor, select a new set of judges and decide on the Court’s budget. … Continue reading

Posted in Assembly of States Parties, Funding, International Criminal Court (ICC) | 3 Comments

The Crime of Aggression: Beyond Kampala

Teddy Nicholson responds to posts by Patrick and myself on the crime of aggression. Enjoy! I am currently at the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC meeting in New York and, while aggression has not been high on the … Continue reading

Posted in Assembly of States Parties, Crime of Aggression, International Criminal Court (ICC) | Leave a comment

A Precarious Silence: North Korea and International Justice

Just about everyone who doesn’t live under a rock will know by now that the mercurial and mysteriously ‘ronery’ North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, has died. Yet, while the jokes and Team America references proliferate in the wake of Kim … Continue reading

Posted in Crimes against humanity, Czech Republic, Famine, Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice, North Korea | Leave a comment

Thoughts from the 10th Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC

Teddy reports for JiC from New York, where the Assembly of States Parties’ meetings are currently under way. His focus in this post is on the complex process of electing six new ICC judges. Enjoy!  Thoughts from the 10th Session of … Continue reading

Posted in Assembly of States Parties, Elections, International Criminal Court (ICC) | Leave a comment