Oppression (noun)

1. Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.
2. The state of being subject to unjust treatment or control.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french, from latin oppressio(n-), from opprimere "press down" (see oppress).

Examples:

1. The country was under the oppression of a dictatorship.
2. Oppression of minority groups has been a persistent problem throughout history.
3. The people suffered under the oppression of the government.
4. The workers were fighting against the oppression of their employer.
5. The oppression of women is still a pervasive issue in many societies.