Civil Society and International Criminal Justice in Africa

Product Details:
Author(s):
Williams, S and
Woolaver, H
Year Published:
2016
Edition
1st Edition
Type:
Print | Soft Cover
Language:
English
About this publication
Recent decades have witnessed an increased role for civil society in international law making and the development of international institutions. The design, legal framework and establishment of the International Criminal Court is a key example of this trend. Yet, once international institutions are established, there are few opportunities and mechanisms for civil society to participate directly within the formal proceedings of such institutions, with participation largely limited to states.
Nevertheless, civil society groups in Africa are seeking to utilise international and domestic legal frameworks to pursue justice for international crimes committed around the continent and the globe. Indeed, civil society organisations are already playing a key role in domestic international criminal justice procedures in several African countries, with South Africa being a prominent example, as well as before international criminal tribunals, including the International Criminal Court.
The theme of Civil Society and International Criminal Justice in Africa is the contribution of African civil society organisations to international, regional and national international criminal justice mechanisms. This volume provides a number of perspectives on this theme, with contributions from academics, practitioners, and civil society representatives. 
Content
 Part I: Focus on the international criminal court
International criminal law, the International Criminal Court, and civil society – John Dugard
Prosecutorial discretion and victims’ rights at the International Criminal Court: Demarcating the battle lines – Carla Ferstman
Civil society and amicus curiae interventions in the International Criminal Court – Sarah Williams and Emma Palmer
Challenges for international criminal justice in Africa and the role of civil society – Elise Keppler
Back to the future? Civil society, the “turn to complementarity” in Africa and some critical concerns – Christopher Gevers
Part II: Focus on South Africa
Partners in complementarity: The role of civil society in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in South Africa – Hannah Woolaver
Civil society, “positive complementarity” and the “Torture Docket” case – Max du Plessis and Christopher Gevers
Part III: Focus on transitional justice
Crisis and contradiction: Justice reform, civil society and Zimbabwe’s long transition – Mark Shaw
An essential intervention: Civil society responses to redressing and preventing violence against women in post-apartheid South Africa – Andrea Durbach
The role of African civil society in shaping national transitional justice agendas and policies – Hugo van der Merwe and Jasmina Brankovic
Part IV: Observations from the field
The case for a victim-friendly ICC: Reparations and the conflict in Northern Uganda – Špela Kunej and Victor Ochen
A call to action: National bar associations as key civil society actors for the promotion of international criminal justice in Africa – Tosin Osasona
The Zimbabwe Torture Case: Reflections on domestic litigation for international crimes in Africa – Angela Mudukuti
Interest / Benefit to
Academics
Postgraduate law students
Law libraries
Legal practitioners