Abstract

[Some Reflections on the Literary Work of Franz Kafka and Its Relevance to Contemporary International Law] This article explores the connections between the literary work of Franz Kafka, a body of work of universal scope, and international law, particularly contemporary challenges related to access to justice and the protection of human rights. Through analyses of novels such as The Trial, The Castle, In the Penal Colony, Amerika, The Metamorphosis, and The Burrow, the author highlights the tensions between individuals and legal institutions, particularly opaque and dehumanizing bureaucracies, which resonate with current challenges in international law. Franz Kafka’s work illustrates the absurdity and helplessness of characters facing incomprehensible systems of power. The Metamorphosis, for example, portrays the transformation of Gregor Samsa into an insect, a situation that symbolizes the extreme alienation of an individual from a society indifferent to his human condition. This same indifference is reflected in international institutions, often seen as distant and ineffective. By examining concepts such as universal jurisdiction, the principle of sovereignty, and the challenges of global governance, the article emphasizes the need to adapt international law to human realities, to prevent systems meant to safeguard fundamental rights from becoming instruments of oppression. Kafka’s work, with its reflections on the absurd, bureaucracy, and alienation, encourages a critical reflection on the legitimacy and effectiveness of contemporary legal structures, stressing the importance of accessible, transparent justice that genuinely respects human dignity.