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Dr Benjamin Thorne

@benjaminthorne.bsky.social
1K followers 528 following 572 posts

Lecturer in Criminal Law @unirdg-law.bsky.social Via PhD @SussexUni ; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book tinyurl.com/v77a942b

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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 21m
"Do what I want or I will have (another) gigantic tantrum".
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 2h
U.S. Court Allows Challenge to Trump’s ICC Sanctions to Proceed - lnkd.in/ejf7-egr #internationalcriminalcourt #ICC
lnkd.in
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Janet H Anderson @janethanderson.bsky.social · 19h
www.justiceinfo.net/en/166197-us...
justiceinfo.net
US sanctions: “The US administration may see the ICC as an institutional pilot”
Against the backdrop of US sanctions and increasing pressure on the International Criminal Court, how is the ICC dealing with the need to depart from its reliance on US technology? Some key explanatio...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 22h
I was interviewed for this longread piece discussing potential challenges for technologies at the International Criminal Court in light of the recent reported threats that the US administration is going to sanction the court itself. #ICC #USsanctions lnkd.in/eB4QWzMz
lnkd.in
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 23h
“This body of records that has really important information of Survivors … is going to be destroyed." Canada plans to destroy thousands of residential school testimonies. These women think survivors should have a choice thenarwhal.ca/trc-resident...
thenarwhal.ca
Canada plans to destroy thousands of residential school testimonies. These women think survivors should have a choice
The 38,000 testimonies are the largest body of evidence about children’s experiences in these institutions. Journalist Connie Walker and lawyer Kimberly Murray say losing it would mean losing history — both painful and illuminating
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Iva Vukušić @vukusiciva.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
For process and procedure enthusiasts, here's an informative post about the new round of electing #ICC #judges, by Michael Karnavas. Evening read (and especially relevant given the drama of this past summer). #ICC #ASP michaelgkarnavas.net/blog/2026/09...
michaelgkarnavas.net
COULD IT BE DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN FOR THE ICC: When the “high moral character” standard in judicial elections goes unexamined? - michaelgkarnavas.net/Blog
Can the ICC assess judges’ “high moral character” before misconduct allegations are fully vetted? A look at due diligence, integrity, and judicial elections.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This 👇
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The ASP Bureau decided that the 25th ASP session will be held in The Hague rather than in New York — the only sensible decision. This will allow delegates from all States Parties and NGO representatives to participate, and candidates standing in judicial elections to be present.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
An example of current challenges for defense regarding the overwhelming amount of digital evidence & uses of tech platforms which have become a central apparatus within international criminal trials. #ICC ICC rejects Duterte defense bid for expert verification on evidence - tinyurl.com/3nrcw5pp
abs-cbn.com
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Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 25/09/2026
"After leading US AI labs warned that recursively self-improving models could kill all humans, the risk of runaway AI began making headlines around the world." But not everyone has bought into this runaway AI theory... And rightly so. www.euractiv.com/news/what-is...
euractiv.com
What is Europe's plan if AI doesn’t self-improve? | Euractiv
Civil society AI experts are eyeing a ‘commodified’ alternative future
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UCLA Law The Promise Institute for Human Rights (Europe) @uclapromiseeurope.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Special Briefing: The Impact of ICC Sanctions and Strategies for Resistance 🗓️ Tuesday, 29 September 🕕 9:00 Los Angeles / 12:00 New York / 18:00 The Hague International experts examine the impact of US sanctions against the ICC. Register: bit.ly/BriefingICCSanctions
Special Briefing The Impact of New Sacntions on the ICC and Strategies for Resistance. ONLINE, Tuesday 29 September 2026, 9:00 Los Angeles, 12:00 New York, 18:00 The Hague. And a photo of the ICC building
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Ezequiel Jimenez @ezejim.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
2/2 The same threshold should be applied to all judicial elections. Under attack, with cases reaching trial stage and needing leadership after 2 years of limbo, the OTP needs a permanent Prosecutor immediately. All well to have able Deputies, but the RS mandates one Principal.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Oh, the International Criminal Court is apparently a relevant and legitimate institution, but only in very 'specific' circumstances. This is not how international criminal justice (should) work. #ICC Netanyahu orders ICC case against Erdogan over Kurdish policy, Hamas funding - lnkd.in/e7cPCFhw
lnkd.in
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
If universities continue to be adamant that we 'critically embrace' AI within our teaching, any reading list and curriculum should include Shannon Vallor's The AI Mirror. #AI #legaleducation
academic.oup.com
The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking
Abstract. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies spark hope for a future in which human limits and frailties are finally overcome—not by us, but by our
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Regarding future possible withdrawals from the ICC, one place to keep an eye on is Brazil and the October elections. Currently there is a reasonable possibility that far right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro might win the election. #ICC
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Regarding future possible withdrawals from the ICC, one place to keep an eye on is Brazil and the October elections. Currently there is a reasonable possibility that far right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro might win the election. #ICC
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Ezequiel Jimenez @ezejim.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
1/3 🚨The Republic of Naoero withdraws from the Rome Statute after announcing it during its #UNGA81 speech calling the ICC “irrelevant” It’s alarming the accelerating rate of withdrawals. The 6th in 2026. The last one was Philippines in 2019. 📍 treaties.un.org/doc/Publicatio…
treaties.un.org
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Justice Info @justiceinfo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🚨 #CentralAfricanRepublic [AFP] - Former Central African rebel Mahamat Said was found guilty of crimes against humanity by the #InternationalCriminalCourt (ICC) on September 23. And not guilty of war crimes. The trial lasted 4 years. www.justiceinfo.net/en/165776-ic...
justiceinfo.net
ICC: Said convicted
Former Central African rebel Mahamat Said was found guilty of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court on September 23. And not guilty of war crimes. The trial, the last Central Afr...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
No mention of new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court in Trump's speech at the #UNGA, and we will have to wait to see if in the next few days this happens, which it may well still do. #ICC #Internationaljustice
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Whilst all the noise and commotion around Trump's attacks against the ICC go on, international justice continues to plod along at its own pace and to its own particular rhythm. ICC convicts former Central African Republic militia commander of torture - www.independent.co.uk/news/icc-ban...
independent.co.uk
ICC convicts former Central African Republic militia commander of torture
Judges at the International Criminal Court have convicted former Seleka rebel commander Mahamat Said Abdel Kani of persecution and torture as crimes against humanity committed while he ran a prison in...
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Iva Vukušić @vukusiciva.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This is not the language of war, this is a language of annihilation, and that's genocide and it's a threat of a committing it. There is no war in which you're allowed to annihilate a country.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This absolutely should be the position of the OTP. But good to have a public statement confirming. ICC took no steps to withdraw Netanyahu arrest warrant, deputy prosecutor says - www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-too...
middleeasteye.net
ICC took no steps to withdraw Netanyahu arrest warrant, deputy prosecutor says
Nazhat Shameem Khan says case remains active and work is continuing ‘unabated’ despite US sanctions
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Nicola Palmer @nicolapalmer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The UK’s first criminal case for genocide & crimes against humanity committed in Rwanda in 1994 will begin at the Old Bailey on 9 October. This case was actively pursued by the Rwandan government when it was negotiating the now-failed migration deal. blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
bbc.com
Rwanda genocide: Dr Vincent Brown first person to face UK prosecution
Dr Vincent Brown was charged following a seven year British investigation into the 1994 killings.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Academics starting a new year completely overwhelmed by the workload but still trying to maintain a happy and positive mindset.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
(1/) Since February 2025 there has been a wave of sanctions against the International Criminal Court, as well as threats and rumours of more extensive sanctions, such as
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
If the US admin does sanction the ICC itself, this won't only dramatically impact the economic functioning of the court, but also its technology provisions including the tech used for its investigations, from cloud storage for to AI tools used in investigation analysis. - tinyurl.com/38wbrw88
tinyurl.com
Artificial Sanctions: Potential Implications of US Sanctions on the ICC’s use of AI and Digital Evidence
[Benjamin Thorne is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Criminal Law at the University of Reading] Almost 3 weeks into Donald Trump’s second term as US President and one could have been forgiven fo…
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Tech bosses have always known the perils of AI, whether that is acknowledging the massive scale of theft to feed LLM's or the chorus of tech leadership stating the existential threat of their creations. Raising the alarm now is a choice, as was their choice not to engage with these concerns long ago
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
You don't say... Thief acknowledges that their actions were theft on a gigantic scale. Microsoft Director Privately Admitted AI Was the “Largest Theft of Labor in Human History,” Unsealed Court Documents Show - futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com
Microsoft Director Privately Admitted AI Was the "Largest Theft of Labor in Human History," Unsealed Court Documents Show
Newly unredacted court documents reveal damning statements by two AI executives in a landmark case about intellectual property.
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Laurent Pech 🇺🇦 @profpech.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
President von der Leyen: "Europe will always lead when it comes to defending the rules-based system." Meanwhile, in the real world: euobserver.com/226421/the-i...
euobserver.com
The ICC is in its worst crisis yet — and Europe’s double standards are a big part of the problem
A tribunal created for one conflict — while acts of aggression in the Middle East and Latin America go unanswered — serves the court’s critics their strongest argument on a silver platter: that intern...
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Iva Vukušić @vukusiciva.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The #US arrogance is limitless. This piece argues that Trump may soon have reason to "dismantle" the #ICJ because of the *prospect* of a widening of the legal understanding of #genocide in the Myanmar case and the effects this will have on SA v Israel down the line. www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
wsj.com
Opinion | The ICJ’s Pernicious Plan to Redefine Genocide
The Trump administration may soon have reason to dismantle another international tribunal.
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The US cannot dismantle the ICC on its own. Hegemony needs acquiescence. ICC States must stand firm against coercion and intimidation in every forum, including NATO. They should clearly condemn the US efforts to undermine the international rule of law.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Chicago bans not only AI but mobile phones, tablets and laptops from first-year Law School teaching to foster hard thinking. (Presumably with provisions for students with disabilities although that's not mentioned). With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Law schools tell students to put AI away
The technology is being banned from certain classrooms to remove shortcuts that ‘stunt intellectual growth’
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Ezequiel Jimenez @ezejim.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Excellent article about the demise of the Central American Court of Justice. One of the first experiments of international law, anywhere. 📍 www.ejiltalk.org/the-rise-and... What would Alejandro Alvarez make of this tragic end?
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Japanese Prime Minister under growing pressure after initial weak response to US sanctions against ICC staff, including the court's Japanese president. Takaichi faces rule-of-law scrutiny over U.S. sanctions on ICC - www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08...
japantimes.co.jp
Takaichi faces rule-of-law scrutiny over U.S. sanctions on ICC
It remains unclear how assertive Japan can be on the matter, as the country has made its alliance with the United States the cornerstone of its diplomacy and security policy.
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
"The ICC and its personnel cannot be expected to weather this powerful storm alone." UN Experts are duly alarmed. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/202…
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Lucy Gaynor @lucyjgaynor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Ratko Mladic, serving a life sentence for his role in the #genocide at Srebrenica, has died in prison aged 84 amp.dw.com/en/ratko-mla...
amp.dw.com
Ratko Mladic dead at 84 — reports
The former Bosnian Serb general was convicted of genocide committed during the bloody 1992-95 war in Bosnia.
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Chair of the Dutch Council for the Judiciary: 'It is time for a firm and united response to the U.S. government.’ ‘Disapproving words are not enough. Those words must lead to action.' ‘We cannot stand by while the US threatens to dismantle the ICC’
rechtspraak.nl
‘We cannot stand by while the US threatens to dismantle the International Criminal Court’ | Rechtspraak
Den Haag, 13 augustus 2026 om 09:48, ‘It’s time for countries that recognize the immense value of international law to take a stand.’ This statement comes from Henk Naves, Chair of the Dutch Council for the Judiciary. He is responding to a joint declaration by European judicial organizations following new threats by the U.S. government directed at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Naves says, ‘This declaration should mark the beginning of concrete support from Europe for the ICC. It is time for a firm and united response to the U.S. government.’
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Justice Info @justiceinfo.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
#DRCongo [reportage] - Five years on, the Kasaï Central Truth Commission (CPVJR) is still only at the start of its operational phase. It lacks funding, and the Congolese state is absent. www.justiceinfo.net/en/163808-ka... #TruthCommission #Kasai
justiceinfo.net
Kasai Central: Truth and Reconciliation Commission abandoned by the state
Five years on, the Kasai Central Truth Commission (CPVJR) is still only at the start of its operational phase. It lacks funding, and the Congolese state is absent.
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Japanese government is in contact with ICC President Akane and has pledged support amid US sanctions. A cross-party group of lawmakers is calling for their immediate withdrawal. The Japan-US alliance and the protection of the rule of law “are not mutually exclusive”. www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkwo...
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This is a solid statement. France *names* the culprit (the US) and *condemns* its coercive measures against the Court, its staff, and CSOs. It even regards the sanctions as an attack on the 125 States Parties. That's new, and correct: US measures undermine their sovereignty.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
States bravely standing up to US sanctions against the international Criminal Court with direct and robust action.....
static.klipy.com
Box of Shame: Hiding Inside
ALT: Box of Shame: Hiding Inside
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
States bravely standing up to US sanctions against the international Criminal Court with direct and robust action.....
static.klipy.com
Box of Shame: Hiding Inside
ALT: Box of Shame: Hiding Inside
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This kind of statement has been made so many times since the first US sanctions, & yet here we are again with the US knowing, correctly, that they can attack the court without repercussion. In August 2026 this kind of response is no more than a empty rhetorical vessel sailing helplessly in circles.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Dutch Foreign Minster 'disapproves' the new US sanctions. Initial responses continuing to be underwhelming (to put it mildly) and feels like groundhog day. - www.google.com/amp/s/www.al...
google.com
Redirect Notice
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Fully agree! This should be agreed as a matter of priority and would be direct concrete action in response to the ongoing US sanctions which thus far has been largely absent.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The time to be delicate and 'diplomatic' with the US administration in regards to their assault on the ICC has long passed.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
'Very unfortunate' is not the strong and direct response required from the Japanese Foreign Minister (or any other States who cares about international Justice) to US sanctions against the ICC's president. - www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
lnkd.in
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Arguably we are moving towards a point where human remembered pasts, & possibly human testimonies, start to become less impactful & is more contestable because of LLM'S & mass scrapping of web data distorting what is human experienced past(s). LLM 'model collapse' will very likely make this worse.
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Rwanda says it wants to be "return hub" for EU Member States - presumably legal challenges will raise objections cf the UK litigation euobserver.com/232169/rwand...
euobserver.com
Rwanda revealed as EU’s first migrant return hub, but what’s in it for Kigali?
Rwanda is seeking to host EU migrants, in return for a free pass on its abuses in DR Congo and at home. But the idea is "all show and no substance", say critics, who believe the scheme is doomed to fa...
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Ezequiel Jimenez @ezejim.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
1/4 The official records of the first ever ASP Special Session to remove a Prosecutor is live. 📍 asp.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul... This is a standard document produced after each ASP meeting, regular or special.
asp.icc-cpi.int
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