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.

Introduction – A JiC Symposium on Mark Drumbl and Barbora Holá’s Informers Up Close

In a course that I run on responses to international crimes, I paint my students the following scenario: Canada is taken over by a brutal dictatorship that suppresses human rights. The regime lasts for twenty years before democracy is restored. … Continue reading

Posted in Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia, Europe, Historical Justice, Informers Up Close Symposium, Transitional Justice | Tagged , | Leave a comment

An alleged ISIS war criminal has been arrested in Canada. How did he get in, and why won’t Canada prosecute his alleged atrocities?

In 2018, Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi arrived at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. After his application for refugee status was accepted in 2019, he received a work permit. He then became a permanent resident in 2021. Subsequently, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service … Continue reading

Posted in Canada, Iraq, ISIS, Syria, Terrorism, Universal Jurisdiction, War crimes | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

An Important Past: Since Hitler, Heads of State have No Immunity 

The following guest post was written by Dan Plesch, Professor of Diplomacy and Strategy at SOAS University of London and a Door Tenant at the Chambers of Stephen Kay KC at 9 Bedford Row. His books include, ‘Human Rights After … Continue reading

Posted in Germany, Guest Posts, Historical Justice, International Court of Justice, International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Justice, United Nations | Tagged | 1 Comment

Silver Linings: Putin Visits Mongolia in defiance of ICC Warrant

It’s not good news. Vladimir Putin has visited Mongolia despite an outstanding warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Observers are rightly appalled. Some are questioning the very relevance of the ICC. One analyst claims that Putin has used … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Israel, Mongolia, Omar al-Bashir, Palestine, Palestine and the ICC, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

International Justice Day: Inspiring Developments in International Criminal Justice, Complementarity, and trends at the ICC

Dear all, I thought some JiC readers might find this podcast interview that I did with the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect to be of interest. During the interview, I reflect on current trends in international criminal justice. … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Universal Jurisdiction, Wayamo Foundation, West Africa | Leave a comment

Productive Ambiguities? The International Court of Justice on Israel’s Military Operation on Rafah

Kerstin Bree Carlson joins JiC for this guest-post on the ICJ’s decision on Israel’s military operations in Rafah. Kerstin is associate professor at Roskilde University and The American University of Paris where she teaches topics in international law and sociology. Her … Continue reading

Posted in Gaza, International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel, Palestine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Message to the Canadian Government: Stop dithering, and Support the ICC’s work in Israel and Palestine Now.

The following is an open letter that I had the pleasure and honour of drafting alongside Canadian justice and accountability leaders Alex Neve, Heidi Mathews, Ardi Imseis, Kjell Anderson, Leilani Farha, and Michael Lynk. As can be seen below, it … Continue reading

Posted in Canada, Hamas, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Israel, Palestine, Palestine and the ICC | 2 Comments

Transformative Transitional Justice: How Old Tools Could Open New Avenues for Climate Justice

Jasmina Brankovic and Augustine Njamnshi join JiC for this guest post on how the tools of transitional justice can serve as model for climate justice. Jasmina is the Senior Research Specialist at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Guest Posts, Transitional Justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The only equivalency that matters is in the equal treatment of victims and survivors: An interview on the ICC and the request for warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders

Dear readers, I wanted to share this interview with British journalist Owen Jones, which may be of interest to those following the landmark decision of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to request arrest warrants against senior Israeli and Hamas leaders over … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

ICC warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders won’t bring peace. But it’s beyond time to give justice a chance.

Whenever the International Criminal Court (ICC) opens an investigation into an ongoing war, versions of the following question will inevitably be asked: Does the pursuit of accountability risk leaving the warring parties with no incentive but to continue the fight? … Continue reading

Posted in "Peace versus Justice" Debate, Gaza, Hamas, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Justice, Israel, Peace Negotiations, Peace Processes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment