Human Dignity in Macedonia

Abstract

This article analyses the legal concept and meaning of human dignity in the Republic of Macedonia. The starting point is the constitutional provision that guarantees human dignity as an individual human right. Furthermore, the guarantees of human dignity in specific Macedonian laws are analysed. Some of these laws specify part of the content of human dignity and others include provisions prohibiting violation of human dignity in specific situations or fields. The chapter also points to the case law of the Constitutional Court, in which human dignity is treated as a human right, as well as a fundamental value of the constitutional order. The Constitutional Court has enhanced human dignity in certain aspects, but the actual protection of its features is limited and some important aspects of the right to human dignity remain unprotected by the Constitutional Court. In the sphere of human dignity, the Constitutional Court has had contradictory interpretations, which has additionally weakened the protection of this human right in the Republic of Macedonia. The practice of ordinary courts on human dignity is very modest and most of the cases relating to it are connected with defamation.