| Abstract [eng] |
Human dignity is an intrinsic element of humanity, an intrinsic value that belongs to the whole of humanity, simply by virtue of its equally unique nature. It is the fundamental point of human existence and there is nothing equivalent to it. Although the term has been the subject of much criticism and controversy on the grounds of its vagueness, it is not a modern-day new word: it has been on the minds of thinkers since antiquity, which is the reason for its enduring relevance. The development of the concept of human dignity in each of the periods covered by this work has reflected a particular idea. The ancient period reflected the idea of human dignity based on moral norms, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance were dominated by the concept of spiritual dignity, the 19th century saw the fight against discrimination, the improvement of the position of workers during the Industrial Revolution, the granting of the right to vote to women, etc. The second part of the thesis highlights the role of natural dignity in the context of other natural rights, such as the right to life, the right to die, the right to bodily integrity. The principle of human dignity is the most basic principle in bioethics. It is the basis for protecting the integrity of humanity, which is threatened by biotechnological change. The third part presents the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania in the field of human dignity. The main features of the concept of human dignity as formulated in constitutional jurisprudence are presented. We conclude that the Constitutional Court refers to this concept in interaction with other natural human rights and freedoms. However, the Court's jurisprudence is consistent, so the lack of a definition of human dignity does not adversely affect constitutional doctrine. Also, the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights are cited as justification for the fact that, in the context of Article 3 of the Convention, it is in the context of Article 3 that the most violations of human dignity are found. |
