repressalier

Repressalier is a term derived from the French word "represailles," meaning retaliation or reprisal. In international law and political discourse, it refers to a state's response to an illegal act committed by another state. This response, while sometimes forceful, is generally understood to be a measure taken to seek redress or to compel the offending state to cease its illegal actions and comply with international norms.

The concept of repressalier is distinct from an act of war or aggression. It is typically a limited and proportionate response aimed at restoring a legal order. For instance, if one state seizes the assets of another without legal justification, the aggrieved state might engage in repressalier by seizing assets of the offending state within its own jurisdiction.

However, the line between permissible repressalier and illegal reprisal can be blurry. International law generally prohibits the use of force except in self-defense or when authorized by the United Nations Security Council. Reprisals, particularly those involving the use of force, must be proportionate to the original injury and should not involve acts that would themselves be illegal under international law, such as attacks on civilians. The effectiveness and legality of repressalier are subject to ongoing debate and interpretation by international legal scholars and bodies.