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.

Thaci, accused of Human Organ-Trafficking, becomes PM of Kosovo

Hashim Thaci, a man who was linked to charges of corruption and the trafficking of human organs, has been  elected as PM of Kosovo by an overwhelming majority. Thaci was a key political leader for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) … Continue reading

Posted in Balkans, Europe, Humour, Kosovo | Leave a comment

International Criminal Justice Sweeping the Arab World?

“Genocide”, “war crimes”, “crimes against humanity”. All of these words have been invoked to describe recent events in the ever-tumultuous Arab world where popular movements have resulted in mass protests and the toppling of governments. This marks a dramatic shift … Continue reading

Posted in Arab League, Egypt, International Criminal Court (ICC), Libya, Middle East, Tunisia | 3 Comments

Sudan’s Bashir to Step Down – But Why?

Reports out of Sudan indicate that President Omar al-Bashir will not run for the Presidency of the country in the next elections, set to take place 4 years from now. Bashir, who has been indicted by the ICC for war … Continue reading

Posted in Egypt, International Criminal Court (ICC), Middle East, Peace Negotiations, Southern Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, United States | 2 Comments

Welcome to Justice in Conflict!

Karl Marx once exclaimed that “the criminal produces not only crimes, but also criminal law, and with this the professor who gives lectures on criminal law.” Clearly, then, the criminal also produces bloggers. Welcome to Justice in Conflict! The impetus … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

al-Bashir Defies Warrant, Visits Chad. So What Now?

There has been some debate about whether Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with war crimes, crimes against humanity and, more recently, genocide, would defy the warrant against him and visit a member-state of the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

First Individual Charged at ICC Ordered to be Released

The International Criminal Court has ordered that the first man charged by the Court, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, should be released without condition. This follows a decision last week to suspend his trial, the result of procedural irregularities – the prosecution … Continue reading

Posted in Democratic Republic of Congo, International Criminal Court (ICC) | Leave a comment

Sudanese President Charged with Genocide: Some Initial Thoughts on Why it Matters

The decision by the ICC to add genocide to the charges facing Sudanese President al-Bashir is surely to be a politically controversial. Below are some initial thoughts on why the charges of genocide, acts committed with intent to destroy, in … Continue reading

Posted in Darfur, Genocide, Human Rights, International Criminal Court (ICC), Peace Negotiations, Sudan | Leave a comment

International Criminal Justice gets ‘Sexy’ – A Supermodel/Diva at a War Crimes Trial

International criminal justice just got a bit ‘sexier’. British supermodel Naomi Campbell has agreed to testify at the trial of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, who is on trial in Sierra Leone for war crimes and crimes against humanity. … Continue reading

Posted in Sierra Leone, Special Court for SIerra Leone (SCSL) | Leave a comment

Saying We’re Sorry: Historical Justice, Katyn, Canada and Rwanda

Overcoming the injustices of the past does not come easy. In Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere, Aboriginal peoples have sought a sense of justice with greater political representation and protection of their traditions after colonial brutality. With the support … Continue reading

Posted in Apologies, Armenia, Cambodia, Canada, Europe, Historical Justice, Poland, Turkey | 3 Comments