Interned

Interned refers to the act of detaining individuals by a government or military authority, usually during war or security concerns, and keeping them in designated facilities known as internment camps. The term covers civilians and nationals who are confined without or with limited formal charges or trial. Internment is distinct from ordinary criminal imprisonment in its justification and due‑process characteristics, and it often involves limited rights and oversight.

Internment has occurred in various countries under different legal justifications, frequently aimed at preventing perceived threats or espionage. In wartime, governments have detained enemy nationals, refugees, or suspected spies, sometimes for extended periods and sometimes with property seizures or other civil measures attached. The practice has been widely criticized for violating civil liberties and for targeting specific ethnic or political groups, raising debates about discrimination and rule of law.

Historical examples include the internment of Japanese Americans and residents in the United States during World War II, following executive orders that led to relocation and confinement in camps; the policy is now viewed as a serious breach of constitutional rights, with the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 providing formal redress. In Canada, Japanese Canadians were interned and had property confiscated during the same era, with later official apologies and compensation. Other Allied and neutral countries also used internment at various times, and in the modern era some jurisdictions have detained individuals without trial in counterterrorism contexts, fueling ongoing civil liberties debates.

See also: detention, civil liberties, internment camp, wartime detention.