Persecution (noun)

1. The act of being persecuted or the state of being persecuted.
2. Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, or political beliefs.

Origin:

Late latin persecution-, persecutio, from latin persequi to pursue.

Examples:

1. The minority group was subjected to persecution.
2. The refugees were fleeing persecution in their home country.
3. The government's persecution of the opposition was condemned by the international community.
4. The persecution of Jews during the Holocaust is a tragedy in history.
5. The persecution of the LGBTQ community still exists in many countries.