Dr Miracle Chinwenmeri Uche
I work in the field of public international law with particular focus on international criminal law. I worked in a team that developed and implemented refugee’s and communities’ socio-cultural integration projects in the Netherlands and Nigeria through Stichting Unity in Diversity, and we are currently working on new humanitarian projects in Nigeria with particular focus on sustainable education, health, and environmental practices.
I value Socratic and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning as tools which engender responsibility and ownership in the learning process, and encourage students’ active engagement, and critical thinking.
International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice
I have been researching different aspects of justice for victims and their participation in the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression at the international, and national levels. I examine capacity building of states to prosecute these crimes, and innovative, transformative, and sustainable reparations for victims as part of criminal justice and wider transitional justice processes.
My PhD thesis explored the reinterpretation of the International Criminal Court (ICC’s) principle of complementarity as a tool which can aid the ICC in the pursuit and achievement of victim-oriented justice for victims before the ICC, while encouraging States Parties to the ICC to do the same in their national and regional jurisdictions. The thesis proposed a structural change at the ICC based on its existing Rome Statute framework and argues that such a change is necessary not only for ensuring that justice can be victim-oriented, but to encourage more states to join the ICC in fighting impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression.
Public International Law, Diplomacy and Humanitarian Law
I have conducted desk and field research on refugees' and communities’ integration and have collaborated with those who work in the diplomatic sector to implement humanitarian projects which are outcomes of my research. I am interested in peace and conflict resolution studies and projects, and in international relations and diplomacy. Researching and working on projects in these areas have widened my understanding and approach to justice for victims and my research has in turn influenced my approach to humanitarian projects. I am currently exploring the role and importance of sustainability in my areas of research interest and in the humanitarian projects I am involved with.
