Human Rights Violations Vocabulary

noun an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically involving physical violence or injury

adjective describing something as extremely wicked or cruel

• The international community condemned the atrocity committed by the regime.
• The news of the atrocity spread quickly through social media.
• That atrocity was just plain messed up.
• The way she treated her employees was an emotional atrocity.

adjective not justifiable; inexcusable; unable to be defended

• The lawyer argued that the defendant's actions were indefensible in court.
• There is no way to defend what he did, it's just indefensible.
• That was totally indefensible, no excuses for that behavior.
• His decision to leave his family behind was seen as indefensible by his loved ones.

noun a formal or systematic questioning, often in a police or military context

• The suspect was taken in for interrogation by the police.
• They grilled him with questions during the interrogation.
• The cops were giving him the third degree during the interrogation.
• The intense interrogation of the witness revealed crucial information.

noun the indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people

verb to kill a large number of people in a violent and cruel manner

• The massacre of innocent civilians is a tragic event that should never happen.
• I can't believe they're making a movie about that massacre.
• That massacre was totally messed up.
• The team suffered a massacre on the field during the championship game.

noun a factory or workshop, especially in the clothing industry, where manual workers are employed at very low wages for long hours and under poor conditions

• The government is cracking down on companies that use sweatshops to produce their goods.
• I heard that brand uses sweatshops to make their clothes.
• I can't believe they still get away with running sweatshops in this day and age.
• Working in that office felt like being in a sweatshop with all the deadlines and pressure.

noun a mineral whose exploitation and trade contribute to armed conflict, human rights abuses, and environmental degradation

• The company disclosed their use of conflict minerals in their supply chain.
• Did you know that some electronics contain conflict minerals?
• I heard that phone was made with conflict minerals, so I decided not to buy it.
• Like conflict minerals, unresolved issues can create tension in relationships.