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.

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

Breaking News: International Criminal Court Announces New ‘3 Strikes’ Genocide Policy

From a remarkably credible source: THE HAGUE—In an effort to crack down on the systematic killing of entire races and ethnic groups, International Criminal Court officials introduced a new “three strikes” policy Monday that mandates harsher punishments for offenders receiving … Continue reading

Posted in Genocide, Humour, International Criminal Court (ICC) | Leave a comment

Ugandan Holiday? Thoughts on the Offer of Asylum to Gaddafi

Uganda has become the first country to offer asylum, if asked to do so, to Libya’s Gaddafi. This comes at a time when ambiguity proliferates as to what fate the international community sees as necessary for Gaddafi. A few thoughts … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), Amnesty, Article 16, Exile, Libya, Sierra Leone, Special Court for Sierra Leone, Uganda, UN Security Council | 6 Comments

The ICC and R2P – Bridging the Gap

Update: I have written an article on this subject which can be downloaded here. See here for an abstract. Comments and feedback are very much welcome! **************************************** I have wondered for some time now about the relationship between the ICC … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Liberal Peace, Libya, Responsibiltiy to Protect (R2P) | 5 Comments

Contradictions in Kenya: Kenyan PM Backs the ICC Trial of the Ocampo Six

It appears that Kenyan efforts to defer the ICC prosecutions of the “Ocampo Six” are destined to fail. But it may not only be because of international pressure or lack of consensus in the UN Security Council. Rather, the final … Continue reading

Posted in African Union (AU), Article 16, International Criminal Court (ICC), Kenya | Leave a comment