menneskeverdig

Menneskeverdig is a Norwegian adjective meaning "worthy of a human being." It denotes the intrinsic value and equal worth of every person, implying that all individuals are entitled to respectful and humane treatment regardless of age, status, or circumstance. The concept is closely linked to human dignity and is widely used in ethics, law, and social policy.

Historically, it draws on Enlightenment ideas and Kantian ethics, which argued that people must be treated as ends in themselves. In international law, human dignity is a foundational principle of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in Norwegian policy it appears in welfare, healthcare, education, justice, and asylum debates.

In practice, menneskeverdig underpins standards for care, participation, consent, privacy, and protection against degrading treatment. It supports efforts to reduce coercion in care, safeguard autonomy, and ensure fair access to services, while balancing safety and resource constraints. Debates often focus on how to interpret and apply dignity in everyday decisions and in institutions.

As a normative standard, menneskeverdig serves to guide rights, responsibilities, and policy design, emphasizing that every person deserves respect, protection, and the opportunity to live free from humiliation.