What principle guarantees an individual's right to be treated with decency and fairness by governmental officials?

The principle that guarantees an individual's right to be treated with decency and fairness by governmental officials is due process. This concept is rooted in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which provide that no person shall be deprived of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." Due process ensures that individuals receive a fair and unbiased legal process before any governmental action that affects their rights can occur. It encompasses procedural fairness, which includes the right to be heard, having a fair trial, and the right to a proper legal process.

Due process emphasizes the government's responsibility to treat individuals justly, ensuring that laws are applied fairly and that all individuals are afforded the same legal protections. This principle plays a crucial role in safeguarding individual liberties against arbitrary actions by state authorities or governmental officials.