Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 11h

And today as much as every day, I hope that the hostages and those taken from their loved ones and homes are returned to their families. The anguish and pain of not knowing if or when you will be reunited with loved ones is relentless. Let us hope their wait ends very very soon.

Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 11h

The meeting, at least the public bits, was alarming:

✅ Jokes about annexing Canada met w laughs & no serious pushback
✅ Carney calling Trump a "transformational" leader
✅ No tariff relief or deals
✅ No mention of human rights issues, like sanctions against ICC staff or Canadians in ICE detention

Anita Anand @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social · 11h

Joined the Eurasia Group’s Canada-U.S. Summit from Washington to discuss Canada’s foreign policy priorities and the importance of today’s meeting between Prime Minister Carney and President Trump.

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 11h

"A lot of them are malnourished and they are facing executions on the road, some gunshots."

Sudan's civil war has faded from headlines, but monitors say it's the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, writes Margaret Evans: www.cbc.ca/news/world/e... #KeepEyesonSudan #Darfur

Sudan's civil war has faded from headlines, but monitors say it's the largest humanitarian crisis in the world | CBC News

The UN says more than 12 million Sudanese have been displaced since its civil war began in spring 2023, making it the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Aid agencies, including Medecins Sans Fr...

www.cbc.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 11h

“My number was 66. They didn’t call us by our names. They called us by our numbers.” - Residential School Survivor Beverly Albrecht.

We wrote about this in the Final Report of the OSI. Erasing identities is a key method of dehumanization and atrocity: osi-bis.ca/wp-content/u...

osi-bis.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 11h

Transforming places of atrocity into places of truth, knowledge and healing is an act of justice.

A former Ontario residential school, the Mohawk Institute Residential School, reopens as a museum: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

A former Ontario residential school reopens as a museum

Once part of a system notorious for abuse, the institution is now a place for learning and reflection

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 12h

"Immunities are back in vogue."

Pinochet, Bashir, Putin, Netanyahu, Gallant, Herzog: Immunities for High Officials – the Importance of Getting State Practice Right: www.ejiltalk.org/pinochet-bas...

Pinochet, Bashir, Putin, Netanyahu, Gallant, Herzog: Immunities for High Officials – the Importance of Getting State Practice Right

Immunities are back in vogue. And the debate about them – their relevance, and whether they can shield wanted war criminals from investigation, prosecution or issued arrest warrants – is again front ...

www.ejiltalk.org

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 15h

📢 For anyone working on the #ICC’s investigation in the Philippines and the prosecution of former President Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity committed during his so-called drug war, this special issue is looking for folks to write on just that! 👇

Adam Kochanski @adamkochanski.bsky.social · 6d

📢 Hun Joon Kim (Korea University) and I are co-editing a special of JCEAS on "Norm Contestation and the Politics of #TransitionalJustice in East and Southeast Asia." Please send us your 250-word abstract by Oct 15. Link to full CfP below 👇 www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7v61o... #IRtheory #IRnorms

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 15h

My thoughts are w the victims of the ongoing horrors in the Middle East. They didnt choose this fight. They are treated like pawns in a war marked by atrocities, hate, & a disregard for our common humanity.

It’s by caring for each other -for all & not just some - that we can forge a better future.

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 1d

"There has to be more human rights oversight…. We are seeing Canadian weapons being misused." - @kelgallagh.bsky.social

A high-tech Canadian-made camera system was used as part of controversial U.S. strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #cdnpoli

Canadian tech helped U.S. strike alleged Venezuelan drug boats: report | CBC News

Canadian technology was used by the U.S. military in operations that blew up at least two alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean in September, according to a report by Project Ploughshares.

www.cbc.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 1d

"Denialism is not an Indigenous problem; confronting it is a Canadian responsibility...Truth & reconciliation cannot survive if the truth is minimized, downplayed or disavowed."

Critically important piece by @seancarleton.bsky.social & @truthinthesoil.bsky.social theconversation.com/confronting-...

Confronting residential schools denialism is an ethical and shared Canadian responsibility

Residential schools denialism is harmful on many levels, and jeopardizes Canada’s ability to work with Indigenous Peoples to create a stronger future.

theconversation.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 1d

“With the current conflict in Sudan producing new generations of victims and compounding the suffering of those targeted in the past, the verdict should spur action by governments to advance justice by all possible means.” www.hrw.org/news/2025/10... #KeepEyesOnSudan #Darfur #ICC

Darfur: ICC Convicts Former Janjaweed Militia Leader

The first International Criminal Court (ICC) conviction of a former leader of the “Janjaweed,” militias for serious crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region spotlights the need for international action to ensu...

www.hrw.org

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 1d

“The accused was not only giving orders…but was personally involved in the beatings & later was physically present & giving orders for the execution of those detained.”

🚨‼️🚨‼️

The first senior perpetrator of atrocities in Darfur is convicted at the ICC! www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

ICC convicts former Sudan militia leader for war crimes in Darfur

Janjaweed commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb, found guilty over atrocities

www.theguardian.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 2d

"Carney’s Liberal government...has yet to push back against the U.S. attacks on the ICC. Foreign Affairs Minister Anand did note that she has'“utmost confidence' in Prost and praised the court, but made no reference to the American sanctions against her." theconversation.com/why-is-canad...

Why is Canada quiet on the International Criminal Court while recognizing Palestine?

Despite Canada’s historic support for the International Criminal Court, Mark Carney’s government has yet to defend it against attacks by the U.S. Why?

theconversation.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 3d

"Today, most of Sudan’s hospitals and clinics are in ruins or closed, hundreds of schools are shut down, aid supplies are largely blocked and mass hunger is growing."

What to know about the war in Sudan, by @geoffreyyork.bsky.social: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl... #KeepEyesonSudan #Darfur

The war in Sudan is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Here’s how it started and the toll so far

The conflict is in its third year, with the latest ceasefire talks going nowhere. Meanwhile, aid is falling far short of what’s needed

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 4d

“Trump warned "innocent Palestinians" to leave for safe areas of Gaza without specifying where that would be.” www.cbc.ca/news/world/t...

Trump gives Hamas until Sunday to agree to Gaza deal, or 'all hell ... will break out' | CBC News

U.S. President Donald Trump gave Hamas until Sunday evening to reach an agreement on his plan for Gaza's future, calling it a last chance for the Palestinian militant group.

www.cbc.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 5d

"That’s the difficulty, and the reason why there’s no justice or accountability in this country, because we’re having to go to the perpetrator to provide proper reparations."

Canada Hasn’t Done Anything about Unmarked Graves Report, Interlocutor Says thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

Canada Hasn’t Done Anything about Unmarked Graves Report, Interlocutor Says | The Tyee

Families need support to bring the remains of loved ones home, according to Kimberly Murray. A Tyee Q&A.

thetyee.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 5d

The Canada Revenue Agency cannot always justify why it audited certain Muslim charities for potential terrorism links, raising the possibility that its decisions "are driven by bias and discrimination," an intelligence watchdogs concludes after a lengthy investigation:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

CRA couldn't justify why it was auditing Muslim charities: report | CBC News

The Canada Revenue Agency could not always justify why it audited certain charities for potential terrorism links, raising the possibility that its decisions "are driven by bias and discrimination," o...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Mark Kersten

Ben Schiff @bschiff.bsky.social · 5d

The US is not a party to the ICC, declared sanctions against its officials and criminalized cooperation with it, supports genocide in Gaza and turns a blind eye in Myanmar and Sudan. Trump's "war" on drug cartels mimics Duterte, indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity in the Philippines.

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 5d

As Lemkin knew, genocide hides in plain sight. “Genocide is so easy to commit because people don’t want to believe it until after it happens.”

Raphael Lemkin Coined the Word Genocide. What Would He Say Today? | ⁦‪@TheTyee‬⁩ thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...

Raphael Lemkin Coined the Word Genocide. What Would He Say Today? | The Tyee

The haunting story of the refugee driven to name and prevent the greatest crimes of all.

thetyee.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 5d

💔 “This is every rabbi's or every Jewish person's worst nightmare. Not only is this a sacred day, the most sacred in the Jewish calendar, but it's also a time of mass gathering, and the time when the Jewish community, however religious or irreligious, gathers together." www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...

U.K. police say deadly rampage at Manchester synagogue was terrorist attack | CBC News

British police said Thursday that two people had been killed and three had been injured in an attack outside a synagogue in the north of Manchester, England. The suspect was shot dead by police.

www.cbc.ca

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 5d

“If universal jurisdiction is to fulfill its promise of delivering impartial justice, prosecuting states must confront their biases, close accountability gaps, & ensure that justice is applied to all perpetrators, regardless of their political status or connections.” www.ejiltalk.org/the-uneven-a...

The Uneven Application of Universal Jurisdiction: Living with Impunity vs. Living in Fear

This will be a busy fall for French courts. Two major cases are testing France’s approach towards international justice. First, Roger Lumbala Tshitenga, a former Congolese warlord accused of crimes a...

www.ejiltalk.org

Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 6d

It shouldn’t be ordinary people who do this. States should have done everything to end the blockade of Gaza a long time ago.

Israel’s blockade on Gaza must be lifted. Humanitarian ideals call for it. International law requires it. Basic decency demands it.

#GlobalSumudFlotilla

Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 6d

Israel has just arrested Greta Thunberg and many others.

Statement from the Global Sumud Flotilla:

“People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”
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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 6d

Close to 65k watching the livefeed from the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Gaza.

Israel seems to be intercepting right now.

All eyes needed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEN2...

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 6d

All coverage of the Sumud Flotilla should include the basic fact that the Blockade of Gaza is illegal, and any attacks against the Flotilla should be seen as part of an effort by Israel to maintain and uphold this unlawful status quo.

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Reposted by Mark Kersten

Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 6d

Close to 65k watching the livefeed from the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Gaza.

Israel seems to be intercepting right now.

All eyes needed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEN2...

24/7 LIVESTREAM OF GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA

YouTube video by Global Sumud Flotilla

www.youtube.com

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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 6d

👉Use the UN database of businesses facilitating Israeli settlements in the OPT to fulfill their duty to prevent businesses located in their countries from continuing to contribute to grave violations of Palestinian rights.

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