Mathias Holvoet

Biography

Mathias Holvoet is a PhD-researcher at the IES, affiliated with the Faculty of Law and Criminology. Mathias is a member of the Migration, Diversity and Justice Cluster. His main research interest lies in the field of International Criminal Law. His side interests lie in the fields of Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law, European Criminal Law, International and European Human Rights Law and International and European Migration Law. Within the field of International Criminal Law, his work currently focusses on the law of crimes against humanity, the relationship of International Criminal Law with neighbouring fields such as International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law and the continuing relevance of hybrid or internationalized criminal mechanisms within International Criminal Justice. His work has been published in leading journals in the field of International Criminal Law such as the Journal of International Criminal Justice and the International Criminal Law Review. His PhD-project is one Work Package within a broader research project funded by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) entitled “The Global Challenge of Human Rights Integration: Towards a Users’ Perspective” (www.hrintegration.be). Mathias researches the various aspects and dimensions of the controversial and contested element of a 'policy' as a requirement of the definition of crimes against humanity. The provisional working title of his PhD is 'The Policy Behind the Atrocity. An Inquiry into the Added Value, Legal Status, Form and Content of the ‘Policy Element’ under the Law of Crimes against Humanity'. From October 2015 until June 2016, Mathias was a Visiting Researcher at the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, United States of America. From June 2013 until September 2013, Mathias was a Visiting Researcher at Humboldt University, Berlin, Lehrstuhl of Professor dr. Gerhard Werle. From October 2013 until December 2013, Mathias was a Visiting Researcher at the Institute for International Peace and Security Law, University of Cologne. Mathias (Antwerp, 1984) holds a Master degree in Law (2008, Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and a 'Master Complémentaire en Droit International Public' (2009, Université Libre de Bruxelles). During his studies, he stayed four months at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark as an Erasmus student (sept. 07-dec. 07). Subsequent to graduation, Mathias interned for 4 months with the International Criminal Justice Program of the NGO 'No Peace Without Justice' (oct. 09-jan. 10). Following this experience, he interned 4 months at the Belgian delegation for Eurojust, The Hague (feb. 10-may 10). Finally, he conducted an internship for 4 months at the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, The Hague (june 10-oct. 10). Mathias is also a Member of the Research Group Fundamental Rights and Constitutionalism (FRC) and a Senior Analyst for the Global Governance Institute (GGI).

Research Interest

His main research interest lies in the field of International Criminal Law. His side interests lie in the fields of Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law, European Criminal Law, International and European Human Rights Law and International and European Migration Law.