Willy Moka-Mubelo Boeken

The book emphasizes the critical need for justice, peace, and social reconciliation in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It argues that previous peace agreements have failed due to an overreliance on political and military solutions, neglecting the importance of justice and social healing. Sustainable peace is portrayed as a multifaceted endeavor that intertwines political and spiritual elements. Reconciliation is described as a continuous process, necessitating ongoing commitment to foster a society rooted in respect for human dignity.

This book advocates for an approach that views human rights as both moral and legal rights, emphasizing the importance of envisioning a world where free and reasonable beings thrive, rather than merely focusing on individual legal entitlements. It asserts that every person deserves living conditions conducive to a dignified life, while highlighting the complementary nature of moral and legal aspects of human rights. The legal dimension addresses the limitations of moral rights, which rely on individual conscience, while the moral aspect tempers the rigid application of law. This perspective diverges from traditional views that see human rights as inherent to humanity and from practical approaches that limit state sovereignty. Instead, it reconciles law and morality, underscoring the need for a legal framework that addresses the shortcomings of moral human rights implementation. It challenges the negative focus on fundamental liberties and stresses the necessity of enforcement mechanisms to deter rights violations by those lacking moral motivation. The moral-legal approach frames the protection of human rights as a collective responsibility that transcends national boundaries, advocating for a cosmopolitan human rights regime. This regime recognizes all individuals as part of a shared community, emphasizing common values that surpass the confines of individual states and ensuring protection based on personhood rather than c