Rebel Courts: The Administration of Justice by Armed Insurgents

Rebel Courts provides a unique insight into the judicial governance of armed groups, arguing that it is possible for non-state armed groups to legally establish and operate a system of courts to administer justice. Rules of public international law can be interpreted as authorizing the establishment of rebel courts, and they demand recognition by international states and institutions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Warzones are often portrayed as lawless, but this is a misconception. In areas under the control of armed insurgents, they often take on the role of providing law and justice, replacing the state as the authority. Rebel Courts, based on extensive fieldwork, offers a groundbreaking and unique insight into the judicial governance of armed groups. This phenomenon, which has been largely overlooked until now, is explored through a series of detailed case studies covering non-state armed groups in diverse conflict situations, such as the FARC (Colombia), Islamic State (Syria and Iraq), Taliban (Afghanistan), Tamil Tigers (Sri Lanka), PKK (Turkey), PYD (Syria), and KRG (Iraq).

Rebel Courts argues that non-state armed groups can establish and operate a system of courts to administer justice. These courts are not only lawful but also demand recognition from international states, institutions, and even other non-state armed groups when they operate in a manner consistent with due process. By incorporating legal analysis with insights from other disciplines, Rebel Courts provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the role of rebel courts in situations of armed conflict.

This book is a must-read for scholars and professionals interested in law, justice, and the effectiveness of global legal standards in addressing armed conflicts. It sheds light on a previously understudied aspect of conflict resolution and offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of legal governance in war-torn regions.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 166 x 245 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190912222