Ambivalence of the Relationships Between Dignity and Freedoms in Turkish Law

Abstract

The notion of ‘human dignity’ which is stated in several legal sources, starting with the Turkish Constitution, is not defined in any text. However, Turkish legislation and case law frequently refer to human dignity. This concept, which should normally be used to protect personal rights and fundamental freedoms, has largely been politicized for the last decade. It became an interpretive tool used to restrict the right of the public to information, by allowing politicians to discourage criticism which would normally be considered as acceptable. Nevertheless, the concept of human dignity has a crucial role to play in the field of bioethics: it is used to restrict one’s right to self-determination, especially in denying individuals the right to live or to die as they wish. As a result, it appears that human dignity is not adequately protected by Turkish law © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.