Abstract

This article examines human dignity in Finnish law. The focus lies on human dignity in Finnish Constitutional law. Aside from exploring constitutional recognition and various meanings of human dignity, the article also takes stock of the functional and institutional uses of the notion of human dignity by various constitutional and legal actors. Despite its quite strong formal recognition by the Constitution of Finland, it will require much more constitutional adjudication, academic discussion and debate in Finland until the substantive and the functional dimensions of human dignity in constitutional law and Finnish law in general will be clear.