ritorsione

Ritorsione is the Italian term for retaliation or reprisal. The word is used in legal and diplomatic discourse to describe measures taken by a state or actor in response to an injury or unlawful act by another, with the aim of restoring balance and encouraging the other party to change behavior. The concept seeks to deter future violations while avoiding unnecessary escalation.

In international law, ritorsione corresponds to reprisals or countermeasures. Such actions are generally considered lawful only when they are proportionate to the original injury, have a legitimate objective (to compel compliance or deter further violations), and are not designed to punish civilians or violate core humanitarian norms. Contemporary practice emphasizes that retaliation should be a last resort and must conform to existing treaties and customary international law, including principles of necessity and proportionality. The use of force in reprisal is highly constrained, and many coercive forms are prohibited under humanitarian and human rights law.

In domestic or civil contexts, ritorsione can refer to retaliatory measures within contracts, employment, or administrative relations. These usages are often context-dependent and require a lawful basis, with attention to protections against unlawful coercion or intimidation.

See also: reprisal, retaliation, countermeasure, proportionality, international law, humanitarian law.