persecutori

Persecutori is the Italian term used to refer to individuals or groups who engage in persecution, oppressing or harassing others on grounds such as religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, political opinion, gender, or social status. The singular form is persecutore, while persecutori denotes the plural. In everyday and academic use, the word highlights the actor rather than the act alone, and it can appear in historical, sociological, or legal discussions.

Persecution can take many forms, including legal or social discrimination, violence, removal from rights or properties, forced exile, or other coercive measures. It is often characterized by its systematic or widespread nature, rather than isolated incidents. Persecutors may operate within states, under government authority, or as part of organized non-state groups. Historical contexts commonly cited include religious, ethnic, or political persecution, where targeted groups face sustained oppression or attempts at erasure.

In international and national law, persecution is a defined concept within broader categories of crimes against humanity and human rights violations. When part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population, persecution can be prosecutable as a crime against humanity. Persecutors therefore carry legal responsibility, with potential accountability through international tribunals or domestic courts, depending on jurisdiction and the specifics of the conduct.

See also: persecution, persecutor, oppression, crimes against humanity, human rights.