Fortune-telling and divination, as manifestations of superstitions in modern societies, are considered a serious threat to human dignity beyond just a cultural and social problem. These phenomena take advantage of individuals’ psychological, economic, and social vulnerabilities, targeting their intellectual independence and free will, and reducing them from capable and autonomous beings to dependent and passive individuals. Those who seek fortune-tellers often find themselves in crisis situations, hoping to find a solution, but instead fall prey to deception and exploitation. This dependency not only damages personal integrity, but also weakens the foundations of social rationality by promoting superstitions. From a legal perspective, these actions conflict with fundamental principles of human rights, such as the right to autonomy and awareness, and as a result, have been prosecuted in some legal systems.

Human dignity is a central concept in the philosophy of law and international documents, emphasizing the inherent and non-negotiable value of human beings. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This principle is also reflected in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 10) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Human dignity means respecting autonomy, rationality, the right to truth, and protection from humiliation and exploitation. This concept requires that each individual be considered an end in themselves, not a means to the ends of others. However, fortune-telling and divination violate these principles. Fortune-tellers, by offering false and misleading predictions, deprive individuals of the ability to make informed decisions and exploit their weaknesses for personal gain. This process degrades human dignity and reduces the individual from an active agent to a passive and deceived being.

One of the important aspects of violating human dignity in Romani society is the psychological and financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Many victims of this phenomenon are those who are struggling with family, economic, or emotional problems. Romani fortune tellers use fear, false hope, or claims of solving problems through spells and magic to trap these individuals. For example, a woman who seeks fortune telling for her family problems may end up not only not solving her problem, but also becoming dependent and more anxious due to paying large amounts of money and following irrational instructions. This abuse not only jeopardizes the individual’s mental security, but also traps them in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness by imposing financial costs. Such actions violate human dignity as the right to security and inherent respect, and put the individual in a humiliating position.

From a legal perspective, fortune-telling and divination have been criminalized in some countries due to their violation of human dignity and social harm. In Iran’s relevant laws, this behavior is not explicitly criminalized, but if it is accompanied by fraud, it can be prosecuted under Article 1 of the Law on the Aggravation of Punishment for Military Offenders, Embezzlement, and Fraud. In India, a law like the “Drugs and Magic Remedies Act” (1954) prohibits the promotion and propagation of superstitious claims and imposes penalties of up to 7 years in prison for abusers. In England, the “Fraud Act” (2006) considers any fraudulent activity, including fortune-telling for financial gain, as a crime and can result in up to 7 years in prison for offenders. These criminalizations demonstrate countries’ efforts to protect citizens against fraud, maintain public order, and strengthen social rationality.

Romali exploitation is not limited to financial issues, but also pays attention to mental security and public morality. In France, according to Article 313 of the Criminal Code, taking advantage of people’s ignorance or weakness (such as in vulnerable mental conditions) is considered a crime and can be pursued as psychological exploitation. In the United States, states like New York have banned the pursuit of profit through local laws (such as Article 165.35 of the Penal Code) and consider it a form of fraud. These laws are based on the principle that exploitation disrupts the mental peace of individuals by creating false concerns and encouraging irrational dependence, violating their right to mental security. In fact, instilling baseless fears or making unrealistic promises puts a person in a state of confusion and anxiety that is incompatible with human dignity, which is the right to a life of dignity and confidence.

The social effects of fortune-telling and divination are also significant. The spread of these phenomena can promote incorrect patterns of thinking in society and decrease trust in rationality and self-confidence. For example, in societies where superstitions are institutionalized, individuals may seek magical solutions instead of using effort and logic to solve problems. This not only reduces social productivity, but also undermines a sense of responsibility and damages collective harmony. In South Africa, there have been reports of shamans exploiting traditional beliefs to deceive people, leading to stricter legislation against such practices. The different approaches of countries to this phenomenon show that fortune-telling is not just an individual violation, but a threat to the dignity and cultural progress of societies.

Human dignity encompasses elements such as autonomy, rationality, the right to knowledge, protection from exploitation, and mental security. However, with the presentation of false information, weakening of free will, and exploitation of weaknesses, the dignity of these elements is directly targeted. A person who relies on the predictions of a fortune teller instead of their own abilities is deprived of the right to make informed decisions and is led astray. This mental dependence turns them into a tool for the greed of others and tarnishes their personal dignity. On a larger scale, the promotion of superstitions undermines the foundations of a rational society and disregards human values.

In conclusion, it can be said that fortune-telling and divination violate human dignity and harm both the individual and society. These phenomena, through belittling individual autonomy, exploitation, and weakening of rationality, distance humans from their higher position and endanger social cohesion and progress through the spread of superstitions. The damaging effects of these phenomena and efforts to criminalize them in different countries are evidence of the necessity to combat them. Protecting human dignity requires strengthening public awareness, supporting vulnerable individuals, and promoting a cultural mindset based on reason and self-confidence so that humans can lead their lives with free will and dignity.