Santipala Stephan Evans, in his conference paper, (p.4) says 'If the potential for enlightenment is the ground for human dignity, where does that leave those who have no interest in realizing that potential?'

Surely, one can respect a person's rights nevertheless: abusing them is no way to ehnance one's own potential OR draw out that of the abused.

'This mind is brightly shining, but it is defiled by defilements which arrive' (//A"nguttara Nikaaya//I.10). However much we, or others, neglect the potential for enlightenment, it is still there (if that is the right word). Thus did the Buddha teach the multi-murderer Angulimaala.

Peter Harvey