persecutes

Persecutes is the third-person singular present tense of the verb persecute. It refers to the act of subjecting someone to persistent ill-treatment, oppression, or harassment, typically because of membership in a particular group or because of beliefs, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political opinions, or other protected status. Persecution can be carried out by individuals, groups, or state actors, and may involve discrimination, violence, intimidation, or the denial of rights.

Originating from the Latin persequi, meaning to pursue, through Old French persecute to English, the term has been in English since the early modern period. The sense evolved from literal pursuit to targeted oppression or mistreatment based on identity.

In international law and human rights contexts, persecution is recognized as a crime against humanity when part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population. It also informs asylum and refugee protections, as individuals may seek protection from persecution in other countries. In many jurisdictions, acts of persecution are criminal offenses and may be addressed through civil or criminal litigation, sanctions, or accountability mechanisms.

Persecution can take many forms, including legal discrimination, social exclusion, property deprivation, forced displacement, violence, or killings. Discussions of persecution often emphasize prevention, protection, accountability, and remedies for victims, as well as the broader social and political conditions that enable such acts.