Professor Carla Ferstman
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Email
cf16045@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 874013
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Location
4SB.4.6, Colchester Campus
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Academic support hours
by appointment
Profile
Biography
Carla Ferstman joined 糖心Vlog Law School in January 2018. She is a barrister and solicitor (British Columbia, 1994); DPhil (Public International Law) (Oxon); LL.M (NYU); LL.B (UBC); BA (Philosophy) (Western). She was O'Brien Residential Fellow (Oct - Dec 2023) at McGill University, Montreal; Fernand Braudel Fellow (2022) at European University Institute (Florence); visiting professional (2015) at Centre for International Governance and Justice at RegNet, Australian National University (Canberra); and Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow (2012/13) at the United States Institute of Peace (Washington, DC). Carla is a member since 2018 of the Council of Europe's Expert Council on NGO Law (a specialist body that provides commentary and expertise on the regulation of civil society activities throughout the Council of Europe). She is also on the Justice Rapid Response SGBV Justice Experts Roster and on the Advisory Committee of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. She was a judge on the Aban Tribunal, an International 鈥楶eople鈥檚 Tribunal鈥� established to investigate atrocities alleged to have taken in place in Iran during the November 2019 protests, which held oral hearings in November 2021 and February 2022 and issued its final judgment in November 2022. Carla has worked in the human rights field for the bulk of her career to date. After a brief period in private practice in Canada as a criminal defence lawyer, she began working internationally, first for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Rwanda in the immediate aftermath of the Rwanda genocide and thereafter, at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London. She served as the Executive Legal Advisor of the Commission for Real Property Claims of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999-2001), a mass claims body established pursuant to the Dayton Peace Accords to re-establish property rights and assist displaced persons to return home. In 2001, she joined REDRESS, a nongovernmental human rights organization which pursues justice on behalf of victims of torture and related international crimes, first as Legal Director and from 2004 - 2018 as Director. During her tenure, REDRESS won the MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. In 2022, Carla won the 糖心Vlog Faculty of Arts and Humanities Supervisor of the Year award.
Qualifications
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DPhil Public International Law University of Oxford, (2015)
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LLM International Law New York University, (1998)
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Barrister and Solicitor British Columbia Bar Association and the Law Society of British Columbia, (1994)
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LL.B Law University of British Columbia, (1993)
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BA Philosophy University of Western Ontario, (1990)
Appointments
糖心Vlog
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Director of the Human Rights Centre, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2024 - present)
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Professor, Law, 糖心Vlog (1/10/2021 - present)
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Senior Lecturer, Law, 糖心Vlog (1/1/2018 - 30/9/2021)
Other academic
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Expert Council on NGO Law, Conference on INGOs, Council of Europe (1/7/2018 - present)
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O'Brien Fellow in Residence, Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism, McGill University, Faculty of Law (15/10/2023 - 15/12/2023)
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Fernand Braudel Senior Fellowship, Law, European University Institute (1/4/2022 - 1/6/2022)
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Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, United States Institute of Peace (1/9/2012 - 31/5/2013)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Public International Law
law of international organizations; consular assistance and diplomatic protection; work of the ILC; relevance of human rights principles to the application of public international law
Human Rights Law
enforcement of human rights; remedies and reparation; accountability of the state and non-state actors; terrorism and national security law; human rights defenders
International Criminal Law
victims' procedural rights and reparation; the exercise of prosecutorial discretion; the application of the principle of complementarity
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Heritage, Colonialism, Decolonisation (AR327)
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Heritage and Human Rights (AR959)
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Human Rights Clinic (HU902)
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International Criminal Law 2: Advocacy and Litigation (LW809)
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International Human Rights Law: Law and Practice (LW901)
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Critical Perspectives on Peace, Security and Justice (LW938)
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Postgraduate research methods and professional development (LW987)
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Human Rights
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 25/2/2025
Degree subject: Law
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 14/9/2023
Degree subject: Law
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 12/1/2023
Publications
Journal articles (13)
Ferstman, C. and Sharpe, M., (2022). . Journal of International Criminal Justice. 20 (2), 403-435
Ferstman, C., (2021). . Netherlands International Law Review. 68 (3), 387-405
Ferstman, C., (2020). . German Law Journal. 21 (3), 459-486
Ferstman, C., (2019). . International Organizations Law Review. 16 (1), 42-67
Ferstman, C. and Lawry-White, M., (2018). . Journal of International Criminal Justice. 16 (4), 813-834
Ferstman, C., (2018). The Relationship Between Inter-State Reparations and Individual Entitlements to Reparation: Some Reflections. Heidelberg Journal of International Law. 78, 561-561
Ferstman, C., (2016). . Acta Juridica. 2016 (1), 17-39
Ferstman, C., (2012). Limited charges and limited judgments by the International Criminal Court 鈥� who bears the greatest responsibility?. The International Journal of Human Rights. 16 (5), 796-813
Ferstman, C. and Bazyler, M., (2011). Prosecuting Nazi War Criminals in the UK and Lessons for Today: Will History Repeat Itself?. UCL Hum. Rts. Rev. 4
Ferstman, C., (2010). Reparation as Prevention: Considering the Law and Practice of Orders for Cessation and Guarantees of Non-Repetition in Torture Cases. 糖心Vlog Human Rights Review
Ferstman, C., (2006). Reparation for Torture? Considering the impact of the decision of the UK House of Lords in Jones v. Saudi Arabia. Torture : quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture. 16 (3), 182-189
Ferstman, C., (2002). The Reparation Regime of the International Criminal Court: Practical Considerations. Leiden Journal of International Law. 15 (3), 667-686
Ferstman, C., (1997). Domestic Trials for Genocide and Crimes against Humanity: The Example of Rwanda. African Journal of International and Comparative Law. 9 (4), 515-535
Books (8)
Ferstman, C., (2024). . Bristol University Press. 9781529222517
Ferstman, C., (2020). Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Systems in Place and Systems in the Making (Second, Revised Edition). BRILL. 978-90-04-37715-8
Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., (2020). . 糖心Vlog. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Ferstman, C., (2018). Contemporary Human Rights Challenges: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its Continuing Relevance. Routledge. 978-0-8153-6463-4
Ferstman, C., (2017). . Oxford University Press. 0192536478. 9780192536471
Edwards, A. and Ferstman, C., (2010). Human Security and Non-Citizens Law, Policy and International Affairs. Cambridge University Press. 0521513294. 9780521513296
Ferstman, C., (2009). Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Systems in Place and Systems in the Making. BRILL. 9004174494. 9789004174498
Smith, JC. and Ferstman, C., (1996). The Castration of Oedipus Feminism, Psychoanalysis, and the Will to Power. NYU Press. 0814780180. 9780814780183
Book chapters (29)
Ferstman, C., (2023). Is the ICC succeeding in providing justice to victims?. In: The International Criminal Court in its Third Decade: Reflecting on Law and Practices. Editors: Stahn, C. and Braga da Silva, R., . Brill. 403- 422. 9789004529922
Ferstman, C., (2022). . In: International Human Rights Law, 4th edition. Editors: Moeckli, D., Shah, S. and Sivakumaran, S., . Oxford University Press. 169- 186. 9780198860112
Ferstman, C., (2020). . In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity: Systems in Place And Systems in the Making (2nd edition). Editors: Ferstman, C. and Goetz, M., . Brill. 446- 478. 978-90-04-37719-6
Ferstman, C., (2020). . In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity: Systems in Place And Systems in the Making (2nd edition). Editors: Ferstman, C. and Goetz, M., . Brill. 271- 297. 978-90-04-37719-6
Ferstman, C., (2020). . In: Covid-19, Law and Human Rights : 糖心Vlog Dialogues. A Project of the School of Law and Human Rights Centre. Editors: Ferstman, C. and Fagan, A., . 糖心Vlog. 177- 185. 978-1-5272-6632-2
Ferstman, C., (2020). . In: Research Handbook on Torture. Editors: Evans, M. and Modvig, J., . Edward Elgar. 335- 356. 978 1 78811 395 3
Ferstman, C. and rosenberg, S., (2020). Reparations in Dayton鈥檚 Bosnia and Herzegovina. In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. Brill | Nijhoff. 571- 605. 9789004377158
Ferstman, C., (2020). Torture and non-refoulement. In: Research Handbook on Torture Legal and Medical Perspectives on Prohibition and Prevention: Research Handbooks in Human Rights. 335- 356
Ferstman, C., (2020). Focusing on Core Messages and Human Rights. In: The International Criminal Court: Contemporary Challenges and Reform Proposals. Brill | Nijhoff. 335- 343. 9789004384088
Ferstman, C., (2018). . In: Extraordinary Rendition Addressing the Challenges of Accountability. Editors: Guild, E., Bigo, D. and Gibney, M., . Routledge. 274- 296. 978-0815387800
Ferstman, C., (2018). . In: Gender Perspectives on Torture: Law and Practice. Editors: American University Washington College of Law, CFHRAHL., . American University, Washington College of Law
Ferstman, C., (2018). Article 5. In: Contemporary Human Rights Challenges. Routledge. 82- 93
Ferstman, C., Goldberg, A., Gray, T., Ison, L., Nathan, R. and Newman, M., (2018). Introduction by the editors. In: Contemporary Human Rights Challenges. Routledge. 1- 6
Ferstman, C., (2018). . In: The Grey Zone: Civilian Protection Between Human Rights and the Laws of War. Editors: Lattimer, M. and Sands, P., . Hart. 207- 230. 9781509908639
Ferstman, C., (2017). . In: Victim Participation in International Criminal Justice: Practitioners鈥� Guide. Editors: Tibori-Szab贸, K. and Hirst, M., . Springer. 385- 412. 978-94-6265-176-0
Ferstman, C., (2016). The icc Should Avoid Paternalistic or Bureaucratic Approaches to Determining Victims鈥� Needs and Wants and Should Award Reparations to Promote Victims鈥� Dignity and Agency. In: Contemporary Issues Facing the International Criminal Court. Brill | Nijhoff. 242- 248. 9789004304444
Ferstman, C., (2016). . In: Cooperation and the International Criminal Court Perspectives from Theory and Practice. Editors: Bekou, O. and Birkett, D., . Brill. 227- 247. 9789004304475
Ferstman, C. and Schurr, J., (2011). Universal Justice?: The Practice and Politics of Universal Jurisdiction Cases Relating to Crimes Committed in Africa. Intersentia. 439- 462
Ferstman, C., (2010). The human security framework and counter terrorism: examining the rhetoric relating to 'extraordinary renditions'. In: Human Security and Non-Citizens: Law, Policy and International Affairs. Editors: Edwards, A. and Ferstman, C., . Cambridge University Press. 532- 559. 9780521513296
Ferstman, C., (2010). International Criminal Law and Victims鈥� Rights. In: Routledge Handbook of International Criminal Law. Editors: Schabas, W. and Bernaz, N., . Routledge. 407- 418. 1136866671. 9781136866678
Ferstman, C., (2010). Protecting Citizens From Torture Abroad: Are Governments Doing Enough?. In: Current Issues in Human Rights and International Relations. Brill | Nijhoff. 175- 181. 9789004179851
Ferstman, C. and Goetz, M., (2009). Reparations before the International Criminal Court: The Early Jurisprudence on Victim Participation and its Impact for Reparation Proceedings. In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Systems in Place and Systems in the Making. BRILL. 313- 350. 9004174494. 9789004174498
Ferstman, C. and Rosenberg, S., (2009). Reparations in Dayton鈥檚 Bosnia and Herzegovina. In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Systems in Place and Systems in the Making. BRILL. 483- 513. 9004174494. 9789004174498
Ferstman, C., Goetz, M. and Stephens, A., (2009). Introduction. In: Reparations for Victims of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. Brill | Nijhoff. 7- 15. 9789004174498
Ferstman, C., (2007). The ICC as a Tool for Social Transformation: Challenges and Prospects for Addressing Victims鈥� Rights. In: Criminal Jurisdiction 100 Years after the 1907 Hague Peace Conference - 2007 Hague Joint Conference on Contemporary Issues of International Law. Editors: Genugten, W., Scharf, M. and Radin, S., . TMC Asser
Ferstman, C., (2007). The Approach of the United Kingdom to Crimes under International Law: The Application of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. In: International Prosecution of Human Rights Crimes. Editors: Kaleck, W., Ratner, M., Singelnstein, T. and Weiss, P., . Springer. 149- 158. 9783540366485
Ferstman, C., (2005). The Role of Victims at the International Criminal Court. In: Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. Festschrift in honour of Irene Melup. Editors: Vetere, E. and David, PR., . Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Ferstman, C., (2005). The International Criminal Court鈥檚 Trust Fund for Victims: Challenges and Opportunities. In: Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law. T.M.C. Asser Press. 424- 434. 9789067042031
Ferstman, C., Herlihy, J. and Turner, S., (2004). Legal Issues in Work with Asylum Seekers. In: Broken Spirits: The Treatment of Traumatized Asylum Seekers, Refugees, War and Torture Victims. Editors: Drozdek, B. and Wilson, JP., . Brunner-Routledge. 641- 658
Reports and Papers (26)
Ferstman, C., (2024).
Ferstman, C., (2024). Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Inquiry into the wrongful detention of Australian citizens overseas, Submission by Prof Carla Ferstman
Ferstman, C. and Fluhr, F., (2024).
Ferstman, C., (2023). Opinion on the compatibility with European standards of Italian Decree Law No. 1 of 2 January 2023 on the management of migratory flows
Ferstman, C., (2023).
Ferstman, C., (2022). The Execution of Judgments Involving Freedom of Association: The Impact on Human Rights Organisations and Defenders
Ferstman, C., (2022). Jam v IFC (Brief of Amici Curiae International Law Scholars in support of petitioners) US Supreme Court
Ferstman, C., (2022). Victims' Voices: Participation at the International Criminal Court
Ferstman, C., (2022). Investigating allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of children occurring in humanitarian settings: Reflections from practice
Ferstman, C. and Sharpe, M., (2022). The FCDO鈥檚 approach to state level hostage situations: Written Evidence submitted by Professor Carla Ferstman and Dr Marina Sharpe
Ferstman, C., (2022). Implementing the Brereton Report Recommendations: Reparations for Afghan Victims of Australian Special Forces Abuses
Ferstman, C. and Arajarvi, N., (2021).
Ferstman, C., (2021). Victims' Voices: The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum
Ferstman, C., (2021). Victims鈥� Voices: The UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya
Ferstman, C., (2020). Opinion on the Compatibility with European Standards of Recent and Planned Amendments to the Greek Legislation on NGO Registration
Ferstman, C. and Oette, L., (2019).
Ferstman, C., (2019).
Ferstman, C., (2019). USING CRIMINAL LAW TO RESTRICT THE WORK OF NGOS SUPPORTING REFUGEES AND OTHER MIGRANTS IN COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES
Marxsen, C., Peters, A., Beinlich, L., Brachthauser, F., Ferstman, C., Furuya, S., Lo Giacco, L., Haffner, A., Hartwig, M., van den Herik, L., Hofmann, R., Kazazi, M., Langmack, F-J., Moser, C., Neumann, T., Sandoval, CL., Sperfeldt, C., Wood, SM. and Wuehler, N., (2018).
Ferstman, C., (2018).
Ferstman, C. and Obel Hansen, T., (2018).
Ferstman, C., Obel Hansen, T. and Araj盲rvi, N., (2018).
Ferstman, C., (2017).
Ferstman, C. and Oette, L., (2016).
Ferstman, C., (2013).
Vega Gonzalez, P. and Ferstman, C., (2009).
Other (21)
Ferstman, C. and Ghosn, F., (2025).Academics must challenge selective empathy fuelled by social media. Times Higher Education
Ferstman, C. and McDonald-Maier, K., (2025).Open Letter: Deep concern about the arbitrary detention of 糖心Vlog Graduate Enrique M谩rquez in Venezuela
Ferstman, C., (2024).An Ode to "Law, Not War",糖心Vlog Human Rights Centre blog
Ferstman, C., (2024).The Gaza Crisis, Like all Crises, Is Never Far from Home.... 糖心Vlog Human Rights Centre Blog
Ferstman, C., (2024).Civil Society Support to Refugees and Other Migrants in Europe: The Need to End the Backlash on Civil Society Space,糖心Vlog Law Research Blog
Ferstman, C., (2024).The Anatomy of Impact: A Conversation with Professor Lorna Woods,糖心Vlog Law Research Blog
Ferstman, C., (2024).Meet the book author: Conceptualising Arbitrary Detention: Power, Punishment and Control
Ferstman, C., (2023).. Opinio Juris,Opinio Juris
Ferstman, C., (2022).Hypocrisy, Cynicism or Just Tokenism? The (In)Compatibility of Partnership and Whole-Of-Society Approaches with the Criminalisation of Civil Society Groups Who Support Refugees and Migrants
Ferstman, C., (2022).WHO OWNS JUSTICE? When States Refuse to Provide Justice, Let the People Make Their Own Justice
Ferstman, C. and Ilg, F., (2022).Investigating allegations of child sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings,糖心Vlog Law Research Blog
Ferstman, C., (2021).Incendiary Speech Acts, Lawfare and Other Rhetorical Battles Against the Rule of Law
Ferstman, C. and Obel Hansen, T., (2020).The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill: A Pragmatic Response to Over-Zealous Claims Against the Military or a Vehicle for Impunity? Introduction to the Symposium on the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. EJIL:Talk!,EJIL:Talk!
Ferstman, C., (2019).International Organizations Accountability Symposium: Reparations for Mass Torts Involving the United Nations鈥揗isguided Exceptionalism in Peacekeeping Operations. Opinio Juris Blog
Ferstman, C., (2018).Efficiencies that Sacrifice Effectiveness will Lead to an Empty Court: Reforms are not Quick Fix Responses to External Criticisms,ICC Forum
Ferstman, C., (2018).,糖心Vlog, Human Rights Centre
Ferstman, C., (2017).,OpenDemocracy
Ferstman, C., (2017).,OpenDemocracy
Ferstman, C., (2015).,Centre for International Governance and Justice (Regarding Rights)
Ferstman, C., (2013).Victims鈥� Rights, International Criminal Law, and Proceedings,Oxford University Press (OUP)
Ferstman, C., (2012).Reparations,Oxford University Press (OUP)
Grants and funding
2025
Conflict Reporting: Ethics, Challenges and Human Rights
糖心Vlog (QR Impact Fund)
2023
Accountability for Online Harm Under International Criminal Law
Modern Law Review
2020
The Accountability Deficits of Major Western Powers: Shoring Up UK Government Commitment to Accountability for International Crimes
糖心Vlog (ESRC IAA)
2019
Gender, Terrorism and Security in Africa
糖心Vlog (GCRF)
2018
The Accountability Deficits of Major Western Powers: A Pilot Project on UK Military Accountability for International Crimes in Iraq
糖心Vlog
1900
Accountability for Online Harm Under International Criminal Law
Modern Law Review
Contact
Academic support hours:
by appointment
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