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.

Syria and the International Criminal Court: Taking Justice Seriously

Syria has gone from bad to worse. According to reports, hundreds of peaceful, pro-democracy protesters have now been killed by authorities cracking down on any attempt to undermine the regime. This statement, or something approximating it, has probably been written … Continue reading

Posted in Egypt, International Criminal Court (ICC), Middle East, Syria, Transitional Justice, Tunisia | 6 Comments

Libya, Peace and Justice: Murky Options

One of the few realities of violent political conflicts across contexts is that fully “good” options are in rare supply. In a recent post, I attempted to articulate some of the tensions surrounding the pursuit of justice in Libya, on … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Peace Negotiations, Transitional Justice | 2 Comments

The Tides of Justice: Egypt set to join the ICC

Oh, how things change! Today Egypt declared its intentions to join the ICC. Its position towards Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir remains conflicted and problematic. Nevertheless, Egypt’s turn towards international justice is a significant and positive development for proponents of international … Continue reading

Posted in Arab League, Darfur, Egypt, Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Middle East, Sudan, Transitional Justice | 6 Comments

Working at the ICC Linked to Hair Loss?

Kind of. Here’s the latest. According to Opinio Juris’ Twitter Account, next up the International Criminal Court will declare ‘Casual Fridays’. Nothing like practicing international criminal justice in a pair of slacks. Just a bit of light justice humour for … Continue reading

Posted in Humour, International Criminal Court (ICC) | 3 Comments

Libya, Peace and Justice: ‘Gaddafi has to go’ but Peace must be Negotiated

Missing from the coverage of the war in Libya has been any discussion as to what the end goal is. Yes, there has been a lot of talk, although little consensus, about what should happen with Gaddafi. But what about … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), Amnesty, France, Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Libya and the ICC, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Peace Negotiations, Transitional Justice, Truth Commission, Uganda, UN Security Council, United Kingdom, United States | 2 Comments

More Justice in Argentina: Dirty War Dictator Gets Life Sentence

Last month, Argentina continued its remarkable zeal for justice and accountability by putting two of its most brutal leaders on trial. Former Argentine dictators Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone, along with six others, were brought to trial for crimes committed … Continue reading

Posted in Amnesty, Argentina, Human Rights, Iraq, Transitional Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions | 2 Comments

Ivory Coast and the ICC: This Justice for You, That Justice for Me?

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara was quoted today speaking about the need for all individuals responsible for human rights violations to be brought to justice: Mr Ouattara…said that all those responsible for committing atrocities in Ivory Coast’s civil war, including his … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, Uganda | 5 Comments

A Case for ICC Intervention in Ivory Coast

The worst appears to be over. The detention of Laurent Gbagbo yesterday by French forces, (or was it Alassane Ouattara troops?), appears to have closed an ugly, brutal and costly chapter of Ivorian history. Over the past few days there … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire, Transitional Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions | 4 Comments

The ICC and Ivory Coast: Proprio Motu is the Way to Go

The ICC wants in. The Court’s Prosecutor has expressed a desire to investigate potential crimes committed in the Ivory Coast. If the ICC is to judicially intervene in the Ivory Coast it will need to both actually stay above the … Continue reading

Posted in International Criminal Court (ICC), Ivory Coast / Côte d'Ivoire, Transitional Justice, Uganda | Leave a comment

The US and the ICC: Towards A Closer Relationship?

A number of recent events and statements have brought the relationship between the United States and the ICC back into focus. Most notably, the US was amongst the permanent members of the UN Security Council which agreed to refer Libya … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Sudan, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, UN Security Council, United States | 57 Comments