State terrorism

Not to be confused with State-sponsored terrorism.
Part of a series on
Terrorism
By ideology
Religious
Special-interest / Single-issue
Related topics
Structure
  • Methods
  • Tactics
Terrorist groups
Adherents
State terrorism
State-sponsored terrorism
Response to terrorism

State terrorism is terrorism that a state conducts against another state, non-state actors or against its own citizens.[1][2][3][4] Acts accused of being state terrorism typically involve the use or threat of violence by state agents, including military, police, or intelligence agencies, and targets can be domestic or foreign individuals or groups.

Governments accused of state terrorism may justify these actions as efforts to combat internal dissent, suppress insurgencies, or maintain national security, often framing their actions within the context of counterterrorism or counterinsurgency. Accused actions of state terrorism are normally also criticised as severe violations of human rights and international law, but contrast with state-sponsored terrorism in that the state is carrying out the actions rather than sponsoring violent non-state actors who do so.

Historically, governments have been accused of using state terrorism in various settings. The exact definition and scope of state terrorism remain controversial, as some scholars and governments argue that terrorism is a tool used exclusively by non-state actors, while others maintain that state-directed violence intended to terrorize civilian populations should also be classified as terrorism.[5][6]

  1. ^ Aust, Anthony (2010). Handbook of International Law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 265. ISBN 978-0-521-13349-4. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference britannica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Selden & So, 2003: p. 4. Archived 2024-03-29 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Martin, 2006: p. 111.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference chenoweth-oxford was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference williamson-afghanistan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).