Human dignity is protected in almost every constitution in the world
Sometimes it is a fundamental value that state policies must conform to
Sometimes it is a right that people can vindicate in court
Here are some examples from around the world
Brazil: The Federative Republic of Brazil, … is founded on: I – sovereignty; II – citizenship; III – the dignity of the human person; IV – the social values of labour and of the free enterprise; V – political pluralism
Peru: The defense of the human person and respect for his dignity are the supreme purpose of the society and the State.
South Africa: Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
Italy: All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions.
Colombia: The right to dignity is guaranteed. The law will provide the manner in which it will be upheld. All Colombian citizens are entitled to live in dignity.
Nepal: Every person shall have the right to live with a dignity
Lithuania: The person of the human being shall be inviolable.
The dignity of the human being shall be protected by law.
It shall be prohibited to torture, injure a human being, degrade his dignity, subject him to cruel treatment as well as establish such punishments…
Germany: “Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.”
Kenya: The purpose of recognising and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is to preserve the dignity of individuals and communities and to promote social justice and the realisation of the potential of all human beings.
Japan: With regard to choice of spouse, property rights, inheritance, choice of domicile, divorce and other matters pertaining to marriage and the family, laws shall be enacted from the standpoint of individual dignity and the essential equality of the sexes.
Here are some examples from within the United States
Montana: INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY. The dignity of the human being is inviolable. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws. Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation, or institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on account of race, color, sex, culture, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas.
Puerto Rico: § 1. [Human dignity and equality; discrimination prohibited]
The dignity of the human being is inviolable. All men are equal before the law. No discrimination shall be made on account of race, color, sex, birth, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas. Both the laws and the system of public education shall embody these principles of essential human equality.
Vermont: [Personal reproductive liberty] That an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one's own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.
