Persecution
Persecution is mistreatment directed at individuals or groups.
Persecution happens when one person or group deliberately mistreats another, often through suffering, harassment, imprisonment, internment, fear, or pain. However, not every instance of suffering qualifies as persecution—there is ongoing debate over how severe the mistreatment must be. The most common types are religious persecution, racism, and political persecution. In a recent article, Jeremy Adler put forward the controversial idea that Western society itself can be seen as a "persecutory civilization."
Under international law, persecution is classified as a crime against humanity. This was established in the Nuremberg Principles, specifically Principle VI, which lists persecutions on political, racial, or religious grounds as punishable when carried out alongside a crime against peace or a war crime. Telford Taylor, a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, noted that the tribunals rejected several attempts to include purely domestic atrocities under this definition. Later treaties have sometimes dropped the requirement that persecution be linked to a war crime or crime against peace. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, binding on 124 states (as of 2024), defines crimes against humanity in Article 7.1 as certain acts "committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack." This includes persecution against any identifiable group based on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, or other universally recognized impermissible grounds, provided it is connected to acts like murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, torture, sexual violence, apartheid, or other inhumane acts within the Court's jurisdiction.
Religious persecution has a long history. The Baháʼí Faith, which originated in Iran, faces ongoing persecution there; Iran has the seventh largest Baháʼí population globally, with over 251,100 members as of 2010, and they are the country's largest religious minority. Buddhists have also been persecuted for centuries. In the 3rd century AD, the Zoroastrian high priest Kirder targeted them in the Sasanian Empire. In Imperial China, between the 5th and 10th centuries, the Four Buddhist Persecutions occurred, with the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution of 845 being the most severe; Buddhism survived but was greatly weakened. Durin
- definition
- Mistreatment specifically directed at an individual or group by another individual or group
- common_forms
- Religious persecution, racism, political persecution
- international_law_basis
- Nuremberg Principles, Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
- key_debate
- Threshold of severity
- notable_view
- Jeremy Adler's 'persecutory civilization' thesis
Lore & Background
Persecution is defined as mistreatment specifically directed at an individual or group by another individual or group, with common forms including religious persecution, racism, and political persecution. Factors such as suffering, harassment, imprisonment, internment, fear, or pain may establish persecution, though not all suffering meets the threshold, which remains a topic of debate. Jeremy Adler has proposed the radical view that the West can be understood as a 'persecutory civilization' in his article in The London Journal of Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences Volume 24 Issue 8 Compilation 10.
Under international law, persecution is addressed by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which is binding on 124 states (as of 2024).
Reader's Guide
Persecution is a central concept in both historical and legal contexts, representing the mistreatment of individuals or groups based on identity or belief. Its definition hinges on the infliction of suffering, harassment, imprisonment, internment, fear, or pain, though the threshold of severity remains debated. Jeremy Adler's characterization of the West as a 'persecutory civilization' underscores the deep historical and structural dimensions of persecution. In international law, persecution is codified as a crime against humanity, originating from the Nuremberg Principles and refined in the Rome Statute, which requires persecution to be part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians. The legal evolution shows a shift from requiring a connection to war crimes or crimes against peace to a broader application. Historical instances—from the persecution of Baháʼís in Iran, Buddhists across Asia, Christians under various regimes, Mormons in Missouri, and Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany—illustrate the persistent and varied nature of persecution. These cases highlight how persecution can be state-sponsored, religiously motivated, or driven by ethnic or political tensions. Understanding persecution is vital for recognizing patterns of human rights abuses and for developing legal frameworks to prevent and punish such acts. The ongoing debate over its definition and application reflects the challenge of balancing protection with legal precision.
Did You Know?
- Jeremy Adler proposed the radical view that the West can be understood as a 'persecutory civilization' in his article in The London Journal of Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, binding on 111 states, criminalizes persecution on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, or other universally recognized impermissible gro
- Telford Taylor, Counsel for the Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials, wrote that the tribunals rebuffed several efforts to bring domestic atrocities within the scope of international law as crimes against humanity.
- The 1838 Missouri Extermination Order forced members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to move to Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persecution?
Persecution refers to the deliberate mistreatment of a person or group carried out by another person or group. It can involve harassment, imprisonment, fear, or intentional suffering. However, not all suffering automatically counts as persecution—there is an ongoing discussion about how severe the mistreatment needs to be.
What are the most common types of Persecution?
The three most frequently cited forms are religious persecution, racism, and political persecution. These categories cover the majority of documented cases where one group systematically targets another.
Is Persecution recognized as a crime under international law?
Yes, persecution is classified as a crime against humanity in international legal frameworks. The Nuremberg Principles and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court both establish this classification.
What is the biggest debate surrounding the definition of Persecution?
The central point of contention is the threshold of severity—how much mistreatment must occur before it crosses the line into persecution. There is no universally agreed-upon cutoff, and scholars continue to argue over where that boundary lies.
What is Jeremy Adler's 'persecutory civilization' thesis?
Jeremy Adler proposed the controversial argument that Western society as a whole can be characterized as a persecutory civilization. This view suggests that systemic patterns of mistreatment are embedded in the broader social structure rather than being isolated incidents.
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