Saïd Benarbia – Director
Saïd Benarbia leads the ICJ research, advocacy and litigation work in the MENA region. For the past 18 years, he has designed and implemented strategic initiatives on the applicability of international humanitarian and human rights laws during armed conflicts, justice and rule of law reform, accountability for serious crimes under international, women’s access to justice, combating impunity for sexual and gender-based violence, and human rights and counter-terrorism measures. Saïd has investigated, researched and authored numerous reports and articles on the above-mentioned topics, and is an expert in the areas of criminal justice reform, transitional justice, constitutional reform, detention and fair trial rights and counter-terrorism and the rule of law.
Saïd has previously served as a Legal Officer, Legal Adviser and Senior Legal Adviser for the ICJ MENA porgramme. Prior to joining the ICJ, Saïd worked for the International Law and Legal Department of the International Organization for Migration. Saïd holds a degree in International Law from Fez University, Morocco, an LLM in Public Law from the Bourgogne University, France, and an LLM in European Law and Studies from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Mathilde Laronche – Research and Advocacy Officer
Mathilde joined the ICJ in January 2020 as an Associate Legal Adviser in the Legal and Policy Office. In February 2021, she started to work in the Middle East and North Africa Programme as a Research and Advocacy Officer. Mathilde holds an LL.M. in international law from the IIT Chicago Kent College of Law, USA and a Masters in international organizations law from the University of Paris II Panthéon Assas, France. Prior to joining the ICJ, Mathilde worked for several intergovernmental organizations and NGOs in Geneva.
Sophie Rickard – Programme Manager
Sophie joined the ICJ in February 2020 as MENA Programme Manager. Based in Tunis, Sophie works with legal advisers and researchers in the design, monitoring and delivery of ICJ’s MENA projects. Prior to joining the ICJ, Sophie worked as an independent consultant on a range of research and evaluation projects for organisations including Cordaid, GIZ and EFI. Before this, Sophie worked in programme management and M&E in the UK, Kenya and Afghanistan. Sophie holds an MSc in the Political Economy of Late Development from LSE and an LLB from the University of Exeter.