EJIL: Talk!

Merel Alstein is Commissioning Editor at Oxford University Press responsible for publishing in the area of international law.

A few weeks ago, John Louth put together an index of discussions on the international law aspects of the Syria crisis, covering debates in blogs and newspaper articles. The idea behind it was that blog posts have become an important form of scholarly commentary and deserve to move away from their ephemeral status. A post that is widely read and appreciated when it publishes drops off the front page a few days later, but might still be hugely relevant to someone researching the topic months (or even years) later.

I have created a new map which looks at a number of issues surrounding the prosecution of heads of state and other senior officials at the ICC. Just like the Syria map, it sits on our Oxford Public International Law platform, together with OUP materials on the ICC that we have made freely available. Alongside topical questions like the impact of Kenya’s possible withdrawal from the Rome Statute and William Ruto’s request not to be continuously present at his trial, the map focuses on issues of immunity and third states’ obligations to arrest and surrender, which tend to come up time and time again. The map’s aim is to provide a quick overview of the relevant legal problems and controversies but also to create an archive of scholarship that can be referred back to when the ICC unseals a new arrest warrant for a head of state or when Bashir next threatens to visit another country.

Other issues relating to the ICC will be added to the map over time, just as the current sections will be expanded with new posts, articles and, eventually, books. I would very much welcome suggestions as to what is missing from the map and how it could be improved.

Our intention is to keep creating debate maps for important new developments or ongoing news stories that raise questions about international law. We would love to hear from you if you have an idea for a new map or if you would like to help us create one. You can send me an email at merel.alstein{at}oup(.)com.