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Dr. Handmaker

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Dr. Jeff Handmaker

Dr. Jeff Handmaker

States, Societies and World Development (SG2)

International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

Erasmus University

 

Senior Lecturer in Law, Human Rights and Development

 

T: +31 70 4260585

E: handmaker@remove-this.iss.nl

Room: 3.10

Personal website: http://iss.academia.edu/JeffHandmaker


 

Profile

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Professional experience

Present position
Senior Lecturer in Law, Human Rights and Development
University Erasmus University
School International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
Department States, Societies and World Development (SG2)
   
Lecturer in Law, Human Rights and Development
To 2011-01-01
University Erasmus University
School International Institute of Social Studies
Department States, Societies and World Development
   

Research

Jeff Handmaker joined the ISS in February 2007. He studied law in England (1992: LLB-Newcastle and 1994: LLM, with Merit, School of Oriental and African Studies, London) and was called to the English bar in 1995. He later obtained a PhD in the sociology of law at Utrecht University with a thesis on "Advocating for Accountability: Civic-State Interactions to Protect Refugees in South Africa", published by Intersentia (2009). From the early 1990s, off and on until early 2000, he worked for South African organisation Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), and for seven years after that as a freelance consultant, trainer and researcher, based in The Hague. He has trained government officials, police officers, military personnel, lawyers, NGOs and journalists and has advised governments, the United Nations and civil society organisations in the development sector, with particular experience in West and Southern Africa and Palestine. Since 1999, he has published scholarly work, in academic and other journals, as well as four books and one special issue of the South African Journal of Human Rights. "Throughout the past six years I have conducted research and published in four, overlapping areas. My primary area of research has theorized and evaluated the structural opportunities and constraints of civic-state interactions in the context of human rights advocacy and in particular public interest litigation to protect refugees and migrants. While this area of research has focussed primarily on South Africa, I have recently begun collaborating with researchers in Latin America, who learned of, and were interested in drawing on my theoretical approaches in relation to civic-state interactions in Chile and elsewhere in the region. My second, related area of research has been to critically evaluate the content and implementation of refugee and migration laws and policies and practices. Once again, I have focussed primarily on South Africa, but I have increasingly been examining the internationalization of refugee and migration laws worldwide and more particularly the negative consequences of the social reproduction by migration experts of concepts such as 'irregular migration'. Third, I am exploring the social and political context in which efforts have been taken, often collectively, by civic actors, states and international institutions, to enforce international criminal law, both through international tribunals and in national legal systems. Finally, in relation to international criminal justice as well as a range of other international legal questions, I have explored various aspects of the decades-long impasse between Israel and the Palestinian people and efforts at nation-building, including the role of civic actors to states and international institutions, drawing on international and comparative law and socio-legal principles."

ISS: Individual Research SGII
Role Member
 

Publications

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Article (11)
Book / Monograph / Book editorial (1)
Part of book - Chapter (18)
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2011). Beyond Exclusion: Assessing Palestinian Refugees’ Struggle for Protection and Recognition and their Potential Contribution to a Peace Settlement. In K. van der Borght, K. Byttebier & C. Mackenzie (Eds.), Imagining a Shared Future: Perspectives on Law, Conflict and Economic Development in the Middle East (pp. 197-222). London: Cameron May.
  • Arts, C.J.M. & Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Cultures of Constitutionalism: An Introduction. In M. Frishman & S. Muller (Eds.), The Dynamics of Constitutionalism in the Age of Globalisation (From Peace to Justice Series) (pp. 49-55). The Hague: Hague Academic Press.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Civic-State Interactions and the Potential for Structural Change. In J.D. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising Social Justice: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners (pp. 11-39). Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.
  • Handmaker, J.D. & Arts, C.J.M. (2010). Building a constitutional culture: comparative perspectives. In S. Muller & M. Frishman (Eds.), The Dynamics of Constitutionalism in the Age of Globalisation. The Hague: Hague Academic Coalition.
  • Berkhout, R. & Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Introduction to Mobilising Social Justice: critical discussions on the potential for civic action and structural change. In J.D. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising Social Justice: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners (pp. 1-10). Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.
  • Berkhout, R. & Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Introduction to Mobilising Social Justice: critical discussions on the potential for civic action and structural change. In J.D. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising Social Justice: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners (pp. 1-10). Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.
  • Berkhout, R. & Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Unlocking the Potential for Civic Action and Structural Change: Reflections on Mobilising Social Justice. In J.D. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising Social Justice: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 177-191). Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.
  • Handmaker, J.D. & Arts, C.J.M. (2010). Building a constitutional culture: comparative perspectives. In S. Muller & M. Frishman (Eds.), The Dynamics of Constitutionalism in the Age of Globalisation. The Hague: Hague Academic Coalition.
  • Mayer, V., Garderen, J. van, Handmaker, J.D. & Hunt, L. Anne de la (2008). Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Using the Existing Policy Framework to Strengthen Protection for Refugee Children. In Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 186-213). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Belvedere, F., Pigou, P. & Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Realising Rights: The Development of Health and Welfare Policies for Asylum-seekers and Refugees in South Africa. In Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 242-277). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Ndssomin, D. & Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Solucao Duravel: Implementing a Durable Solution for Angolan Refugees in South Africa. In Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (pp. 136-166). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Handmaker, J.D., De la Hunt, L. & Klaaren, J. (2008). Introduction. In J.D. Handmaker, L. De la Hunt & J. Klaaren (Eds.), Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 1-10). Oxford/New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Ndssomin, D. & Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Solucao Duravel: Implementing a Durable Solution for Angolan Refugees in South Africa. In Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (pp. 136-166). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Handmaker, J.D., De la Hunt, L. & Klaaren, J. (2008). Conclusion. In J.D. Handmaker, L. De la Hunt & J. Klaaren (Eds.), Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 278-290). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Starting with a Clean Slate? Efforts to Deal with Asylum Application Backlogs in South Africa. In Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, 2) (pp. 117-135). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Handmaker, J.D. & Nieuwhof, A. (2006). 'No man's land: Government mistreatment of Palestinian asylum seekers. In K. Musalo, J. Moore & R. Boswell (Eds.), Refugee Law and Policy: A Comparative and International Approach (Third Edition) (pp. 41-43). Durham: Carolina Academic Press.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2005). 'Responsibility to Protect When International Authorities Fail'. In S. Asfaw, P. Weiderud & G. Kerber (Eds.), The Responsibility to Protect: Ethical and Theological Reflections (pp. 70-82). Geneva: World Council of Churches.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (1998). Asylum Determination Process. In P. Bouckaert (Ed.), Prohibited Persons: Undocumented Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in South Africa (pp. 170-176). New York: Human Rights Watch.
Book editorship (4)
  • Arts, C.J.M. & Handmaker, J.D. (Eds.). (2010). Cultures of Constitutionalism [subsection]. The Hague: Hague Academic Press.
  • Berkhout, R. & Handmaker, J.D. (Eds.). (2010). Mobilising social justice in South Africa: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners. Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.
  • Handmaker, J.D., Hunt, L.A. De la & Klaaren, J. (Eds.). (2008). Advancing Refugee Protection in South Africa (Human Rights in Context Series, No. 2) (Human Rights in Context Series, 2). Oxford / New York: Berghahn Books.
  • Handmaker, J.D., De la Hunt, L.A. & Klaaren, J. (Eds.). (2001). Perspectives on Refugee Protection in South Africa. Pretoria: Lawyers for Human Rights.
Book review (6)
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Looking Beyond the Law. [Bespreking van het boek What Constitutes Occupation? Israel as the Occupying Power in the Gaza Strip after Disengagement]. Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, 28(2), 279-282.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Book Review "Academic Freedom is the Issue" Review of 'Why Boycott Israeli Universities?, BRICUP [Bespreking van het boek Book Review "Academic Freedom is the Issue" Review of 'Why Boycott Israeli Universities?, BRICUP]. Holy Land Studies, 6, 218-220.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2005). Forced Migrants in the New Johannesburg: Towards a Local Government Response [Bespreking van het boek Forced Migrants in the New Johannesburg: Towards a Local Government Response]. International Journal of Refugee Law, 17(4), 827-830.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2001). Arguing and Justifying: Assessing the Convention refugees’ choice of moment, motive and host country. [Bespreking van het boek Arguing and Justifying: Assessing the Convention refugees’ choice of moment, motive and host country]. Ethinc Conflict Research Digest, 4(2), 30-31.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2001). Managing Migration: Time for a New International Regime? [Bespreking van het boek Managing Migration: Time for a New International Regime?]. International Journal of Refugee Law, 13(3), 482-484.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2000). The Volume and Dynamics of International Migration and Transnational Social Spaces. [Bespreking van het boek The Volume and Dynamics of International Migration and Transnational Social Spaces]. Ethnic Conflict Research Digest, 3(2), 30-31.
Journal editorship / Referee (3)
  • Handmaker, J.D., Klaaren, J. & Dugard, J. (Eds.). (2011). South African Journal on Human Rights, 27(1).
  • Handmaker, J.D., Klaaren, J. & Dugard, J. (Eds.). (2011). South African Journal on Human Rights, 27(1).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (Ed.). (2011). DevISSues, 13(1).
Report (3)
Contribution weekly / daily journal (3)
Annotation (4)
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Noot bij: The Hague Court of Appeal. (26-10-2009), Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts 2010-, (Al Shami v Ayalon, Appeal judgment, No K08/0386 Rechtspraak.nl: BK7374 (translation of BK1478), ILDC 673 (NL 2009), 26th October 2009, CA (The Hague))..
  • Eik, M. van & Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Noot bij: Afdeling Bestuursrechtspraak Raad van State. (22-02-2006), Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts 2007-ILDC 546, (Case Report and Commentary of Minister for Immigration Affairs and Integration v. A and B, 200507814/1 (JV 2006/132))..
  • Eik, M. van & Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Noot bij: Afdeling Bestuursrechtspraak Raad van State. (27-06-2005), Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts 2007-ILDC 543, (Case Report and Commentary of Minister for Immigration Affairs and Integration v. A and B, Afdeling Bestuursrechtspraak Raad van State, 22 February 2006, 200507814/1 (JV 2006/132))..
  • Handmaker, J.D. & Magnee, I. (2006). Noot bij: Netherlands, Council of State (Raad van State). (23-07-2004), Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts 2006-ILDC 144, (), ‘Case Report and Commentary of Kesbir v. Minister of Justice’ Appeal Judgment, LJN: AQ5615, 200402639/1 and 200402651/1)..
Article in volume (3)
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2011). Mobilizing Social Justice: A Narrow But Significant Space. In Vol. 13. DevISSues (pp. 2-3).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Responsibility to protect Palestinian refugees when international authorities fail (Article published by Badil, in an NGO journal "Al Majdal" based in Bethlehem). In Vol. 35. Almajdal (pp. 36-42).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2005). Civil society and international law: protecting and promoting human rights in the light of the July 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. In United Nations International Meeting on the Question of Palestine. Implementing the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - the role of Governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society (pp. 75-82). Geneva: United Nations.
Other output (33)
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2012). Getting beyond the conflict: Understanding the impasse between Israel & the Palestinians. Presentation for the module 'Palestina-Israël Conflict' organised by Studievereniging Sirius, Utrecht Law College: Utrecht (2012, juni 07).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2012). Jury report, Awarding of the 2012 Visions of Peace Thesis Prize. Visies of Vrede / Visions of Peace Symposium: The Hague (2012, november 16).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2012). Introduction to the conference theme: 'The Politics of Justice: from a human rights revolution to global justice?'. Ninth Annual Conference From Peace to Justice: The Hague (2012, oktober 12 - 2012, oktober 13).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2012). Normative pluralism and legal consciousness in international criminal law: Lawfare and the struggle against impunity. Annual Meeting of the Dutch-Flemish Socio-Legal Studies Association = Jaarvergadering van de Vereniging voor de Sociaalwetenschappelijke Bestudering van het Recht: Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands (2012, januari 12 - 2012, januari 13).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2012). Theorizing Civic-State Interactions to Protect Migrants and Refugees. LASA 2012: Toward a Third Century of Independence in Latin America: XXX International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association: San Francisco, CA (2012, mei 23 - 2012, mei 26).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). ‘Ending the impasse: Should one agree to disagree? Studium Generale: Tilburg (2010, maart 09).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Het recht op terugkeer? Doorbreken van de impasse.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Refugee Rights: Advocacy and Outreach. Helsinki Citizens Assembly: Istanbul, Turkey (2010, juli 05 - 2010, juli 06).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2010). Public Interest Litigation in South Africa and the Potential for Structural Change. Law and Society Association Conference: Chicago, Illinois (2010, mei 27 - 2010, mei 30).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Gaza en verkiezingen in Israël.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Workshop Paper on International Law and Human Rights. Expert Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East: Rotterdam (2009, januari 26).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Demystifying the Wall: Dispossession and Impunity in the Ongoing Impasse Between Israel and the Palestinians.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). 'Holding States and Companies Accountable in International Law'. Symposium on The International Court of Justice and Israel’s Wall: 5 years on Civil society in search of accountability: The Hague (2009, juli 09).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Swallowing the Bitter Pill: A Socio-Legal Approach to Resolving the Impasse Between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel/Palestine: Mapping Models of Statehood and Paths to Peace: Toronto (2009, juni 22 - 2009, juni 24).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Naar een op rechten gebaseerde oplossing in Palestina/Israel.
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Understanding Nationalism in the Search for a Just Peace. Studium Generale Lecture Series: Wageningen (2009, maart 09).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Internationaal Recht en Mensenrechten. Congress en Debaat: Impasse Tussen Israël en Palestijnen: Rotterdam (2009, februari 19).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Beyond Assistance: Exclusion through Redefinition. World Conference on Humanitarian Affairs: Groningen (2009, maart 05).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2009). Civic-State Interactions and the Potential for Structural Change. Paper presented at the Conference "Mobilising social justice: unlocking the potential for civic action to achieve structural change" at the Chalsty Centre, Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Johannesburg, South Africa (2009, november 23 - 2009, november 24).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Discussant: Refugee & Policy in US / Canada from legal / historical perspective (Paper presented at Joint Annual Meeting of the LSA and CLSA, Montreal, Canada, 29 May - 1 June 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Realising Palestinian Rights: Socio-legal critiques (Paper presented at Course on Law and Society, Roosevelt Academy (Utrecht University), Middelburg, 29 September 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). From Jerusalem to The Hague: Reflections on the ICJ Wall Decision (Paper presented at the conference on The Wall and the Law, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, 9 May 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Litigating Refugee Rights in South Africa (Paper presented at Research in Progress Seminar, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, 20 November 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Socio-legal analysis of civic interventions to protect refugees in South Africa (Paper presented at The State of International Migration Studies in Southern Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 17 - 19 March 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). (Re)defining the agenda (published in Haq-Al-Awda journal, Bethelehem, Occupied Palestine).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). Dutch bank must disinvest from rights abuses (Online article in Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, London, United Kingdom).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2008). On the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A critical dialogue on human rights (Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, 10 December 2008).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Een situatie van straffeloosheid (transl. A Situation of Impunity) (Paper presented in a workshop on "Make My Day" organised by the University of Leiden Studentenvereniging Ontwikkelingssamenwerking The Netherlands on 30 March 2007).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Exclusion through (Re)definition: Palestinian refugees struggle for protection and recognition and their potential contribution to a peace settlement (Paper presented at the international conference on Law and Economic Development Towards Constructive Engagement in the Middle East organised by Vrij Universiteit Brussel and Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Egmont Palace, Brussels, Belgium on 22 - 23 February).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Refugee Act - 10 Years On: What legislative changes are needed for a more effective asylum system?' (Panel presentation at the international conference organised by Mandela Institute of the School of Law and Forced Migration Studies Programme Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 September).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Litigating Refugee Rights in South Africa (Paper presented at the international conference on "Law and Society in the 21st Century: Transformations, Resistances, Futures" organised by Humboldt University Law and Society Association and Research Committee on Sociology of Law in Berlin on 25-28 July 2007).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2007). Challenging Apartheid, Claming Humanity (Guest editorial in an NGO journal entitled Haq-Al-Awda published by Badil Bethlehem).
  • Handmaker, J.D. (2005). Beyond Exclusion: Assessing Palestinian Refugees Struggle for Protection and Recognition and Their Potential Contribution to a Peace Settlement (Paper presented at Joint Annual Meeting of the LSA and CLSA, Montreal, Canada, 29 May - 1 June 2008). Law and Society Association Annual Meeting: .