Category Archives: Human Rights

The Arab World and the ICC: A New Chapter or Smoke and Mirrors?

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Mark Kersten

To date, the most fascinating, dynamic and at times frustratingly contradictory relationship the ICC has had has been with the African Union (AU) and its member states. Today, however, the relationship which appears set to define the Court’s second decade … Continue reading →

Posted in African Union (AU), Arab League, Egypt, Human Rights, ICC Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice, Libya, Libya and the ICC, Middle East, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Uganda, UN Security Council | 1 Comment

Pursuing and Serving Justice Fairly: Is Mladic Fit to Stand Trial?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Mark Kersten

In a post a few months back, I pondered what a trial of Gaddafi would be like, given his aptitude for emotional and delusional outbursts. It was at that time that legal scholar Dov Jacobs of Spreading the Jam suggested … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Genocide, Human Rights, ICTY, Justice, Libya, Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic | 1 Comment

Mladic Reunited with Karadzic: Arrested and Heading to the Hague

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Mark Kersten

Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are united again, just not in the way they had hoped. Today, Mladic, seen by many as the Bosnian Serb architect of death for his role in the Bosnian war, was arrested by Serb authorities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Balkans, Genocide, Human Rights, ICTY, Peace Negotiations, Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic | 4 Comments

A Few Things Worth a Watch and a Read: Terrorism and IL, bin Laden’s Death and Justice(s)

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mark Kersten

While JiC is almost only used as place for commentary rather than synopses or snap-shots of others views, I figured I would grant some respite to those tired of hearing what I think and highlighting three particularly interesting pieces. First, … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Human Rights, Justice, Middle East, Osama bin Laden, Osama bin Laden and international law, Pakistan, Terrorism | 3 Comments

No Joke: States Praised Libya’s Human Rights Record in 2010 UN Report

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Mark Kersten

Last night, I attended a lecture by Louise Arbour, the former Chief Prosecutor at the ICTY and ICTR, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and former Supreme Court Justice in Canada. Arbour reminded the audience of something that piqued … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Libya, Universal Periodic Review (UPR) | 6 Comments

Libya, Peace and Justice: Murky Options

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Mark Kersten

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

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Mark Kersten

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

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

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Mark Kersten

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

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Mark Kersten

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?

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Mark Kersten

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