criminalization
/ˌkrɪmɪnəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The process of using legal systems and state power to classify specific peaceful actions or advocacy as illegal offenses to suppress dissent.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'crimen' (accusation or crime) plus the suffix '-ize' (to make) and '-ation' (the process of). It entered modern English to describe the act of transforming behaviors or social movements into formal crimes under the law.
In the news
In this article, the term describes how authoritarian states use laws against extremism or terrorism to punish Indigenous activists and silence environmental or anti-war advocacy. It highlights the shrinking political space that makes independent international representation dangerous for these individuals.
Negotiating Authority: Indigenous Diplomacy Across Arctic and Global Governance
Read the full article ↗HARVARD Kennedy School - Belfer Center