Dr. Domingos da Cruz

Domingos da Cruz’s academic background is interdisciplinary. He holds a PhD in Contemporary Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Zaragoza, Spain, a Master’s in International Human Rights Law (with Distinction) from the Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil, and a BA in Philosophy and Educational Studies from CEDBES, Angola. He is currently a Human Rights lecturer at Saint Thomas University, Canada.

Dr. Da Cruz’s research focuses on the Philosophy of Liberation in Africa, Contemporary Political Philosophy, Human Rights, Mental Health as a Biothanatopolitical Issue, and the Public Sphere in Africa. From 2021 to 2023, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

He is a permanent reviewer for Coopex, a transdisciplinary journal (level B1) affiliated with Patos University Center (UNIFIP), Brazil. Dr. Da Cruz is also a member of the Angola Scientific Research Network (ARN), a think tank that connects multidisciplinary researchers specializing in Angolan Studies. He founded the NGO Observatorio da Imprensa de Angola (Angola Press Watch), which promotes democratic values in Angola. In 2010, he received the Human Rights National Award for his civic contributions, an honor established by the Open Society Foundation.

Dr. Da Cruz received the Scholar at Risk Award in 2020 and 2022 for his significant academic impact on the public sphere. His work led to persecution by the Angolan government because of his views on Political Culture and Human Rights. The award is supported by the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund.

África e Direitos Humanos [Africa and Human Rights]. São Paulo: Paco Editorial, 2014.

Direitos Humanos na Era das Incertezas [Human Rights in the Age of Uncertainty]. Lisbon: Colibri, 2020.

O Escárnio [The Scorn]. Lisbon: Cordel D’Prata, 2020.

Racismo: O Machado Afiado em Angola [Racism: The Sharp Ax in Angola]. Lisbon: RCP Edições, 2019.

Angola Amordaçada: A Imprensa ao Serviço do Autoritarismo [Muzzled Angola: The Press at the Service of Authoritarianism]. Lisbon: Guerra & Paz, 2016.

Ferramentas para Destruir o Ditador e Evitar Nova Ditadura: Filosofia Política da Libertação para Angola [Tools to Destroy the Dictator and Avoid a New Dictatorship: Political Philosophy of Liberation for Angola]. Luanda: Mundo Bantu / Observatório da Imprensa, 2015.

Liberdade de Imprensa em Angola: Obstáculos e Desafios no Processo de Democratização [Press Freedom in Angola: Obstacles and Challenges in the Democratization Process]. Luanda: Mundo Bantu, 2013.

Ética Educativa à Luz da Racionalidade Comunicativa [Educational Ethics in the Light of Communicative Rationality]. Luanda: Mundo Bantu, 2013.

Liberdade de Expressão e de Imprensa: Implicações Éticas na Infância [Freedom of Speech and Press: Ethical Implications in Childhood]. João Pessoa: Kiron, 2011.

Ética e Existência: Quando a Guerra é Necessária e Urgente [Ethics and Existence: When War Is Necessary and Urgent]. João Pessoa: Ícone, 2010.

Para Onde Vai Angola? A Selvajaria Apocalíptica Onde Toda Perversidade é Real [Where Is Angola Heading? The Apocalyptic Savagery Where Every Perversity Is Real]. Luanda: Edições Mulemba, 2008.

“(O)posição Angolana: Instrumento Essencial para o Prolongamento do Autoritarismo Competitivo [(O)position in Angola: An Essential Instrument for the Prolongation of Competitive Authoritarianism].” In Nuno Vidal (ed.), A Luta Continua e a Reação não Passará. Lisbon: ISCTE, 2023, 135–166.

“Liberdade de Imprensa: Implicações Éticas na Infância [Ethical Corollary of the Freedom of the Press in Childhood].” Prim@ Facie: Revista da Pós-Graduação em Ciências Jurídicas 9, no. 16 (2010): 52–85.

“Angola: Liberdade de Imprensa e Vazio Infoético [Angola: Press Freedom and Infoethical Void].” Mundo Crítico 6 (October 2021).