injustes

Injustes, or injustices, are acts or conditions that violate the principle of fairness or the rights of individuals or groups. The term derives from the Latin injustus, meaning not just, with the prefix in- reinforcing the sense of “not just.” In everyday use, injustices can be intentional or negligent and can occur within laws, institutions, and social relations.

They can be legal, political, economic, social, or cultural. Common forms include discrimination based on race, gender, or religion; denial of due process; exploitation or unequal access to resources; corruption; and violations of civil liberties. Injustice can be systemic, embedded in institutions and policies, or individual acts.

Injustices produce harm, unequal outcomes, and reduced trust in institutions. They are assessed by human rights standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and by social indicators like poverty rates, wage gaps, or misallocation of resources. Documentation by courts, human rights organizations, and statistics helps identify injustices and track progress.

Efforts to rectify injustices include legal reforms, accountability for wrongdoing, restorative justice, affirmative action, anti-discrimination policies, and social movements. Education, transparency, and independent institutions are seen as key mechanisms to prevent injustice and promote fair treatment.

See also: justice, human rights, social justice, civil rights, rule of law.