Human dignity
From German constitutional law (Menschenwürde)
Constitutional and public law
What it means
The idea that every person has an inherent worth that the state must respect. In some constitutions it is the foundation for all other rights.
Why it travels badly
In Germany, it is the first article of the constitution and cannot be amended. In the US, the word does not appear in the Constitution and plays a smaller role in the case law. The German idea has roots in Kant's philosophy and the experience of the Nazi period, which colour how it is read.
How other systems say it
Menschenwürde (Article 1(1) Grundgesetz)
'Human dignity shall be inviolable.' Protected by an eternity clause that cannot be amended (Article 79(3)).
Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty
A Basic Law of 1992 that the Supreme Court treats as constitutional.
dignity under Article 21
Courts read the right to life as including the right to live with dignity.
dignity as an interpretive value
Not stated in the Constitution, but cited by the Supreme Court in some cases on liberty and equality.
Tip for translators and students
Do not treat 'dignity' as a general synonym for 'respect'. In German constitutional law, it is a legal norm that can decide a case.
Related: Proportionality, Rechtsstaat, Ubuntu
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
TheLawToKnow Tools’s glossary is an educational overview of the main differences between legal systems. It is not legal advice.
