persecuted

Persecuted is an adjective used to describe people or groups who suffer sustained and targeted oppression or harassment because of an intrinsic characteristic or believed trait. Persecution can involve discrimination, violence, loss of rights, imprisonment, property confiscation, or other measures designed to undermine the safety, dignity, or civil status of a person or community. The related noun is persecution.

Originating in Latin persequi, meaning to pursue, and passing into English via Old French, the term has long been used to describe systematic, often state- or group-sponsored oppression.

Persecution commonly targets religion, ethnicity, nationality, political opinion, gender or sexual orientation, or social affiliation. It can be carried out by government authorities, by armed or civilian groups, or through state policy and law that deprives people of basic rights, restricts movement, or stigmatizes them.

Under international law, persecution is recognized as a violation of human rights. The 1951 Refugee Convention allows asylum seekers to cite a well-founded fear of persecution on grounds such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In some jurisdictions, persecution used as part of a broader, widespread or systematic attack against civilians constitutes a crime against humanity, and may be prosecuted by international courts.

Historical and contemporary discussions of persecution emphasize the need for protection, accountability, and measures to prevent recurrence, including refuge, restitution, and education about human rights.