The Hindu Editorial (Sanctions and rights) – Dec 14, 2021

The U.S. move to sanction a paramilitary unit in Bangladesh, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), has apparently caught the administration in Dhaka off-guard, prompting a diplomatic pushback including. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Sanctions and rights) – Dec 14, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Sanctions and rights) – Dec 14, 2021:

sanctions (noun) – action taken, or an order given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc (Courtesy: VOA Learning English).
move (noun) – action, step.
sanction (verb) – ban, prohibit; punish, discipline someone for.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) (noun) – Bangladesh’s elite paramilitary unit (established in April 2004).
paramilitary (adjective) – (of semi-militarized force) organized like a military force.
deter (verb) – prevent, stop, block, check, inhibit, impede, restrain, fend off.
overzealous (adjective) – extreme, fanatical, overzealous, over-enthusiastic, extremist, violent, wild, passionate, fervent, uncompromising.
apparently (adverb) – seemingly, evidently, ostensibly, outwardly, allegedly, supposedly.
off guard (phrase) – by surprise.
catch someone off guard (phrase) – surprise someone by doing something they do not expect.
the administration (noun) – the government.
diplomatic (adjective) – tactful, sensitive, subtle, delicate; consular, foreign-policy.
pushback (noun) – resistance, opposition, disagreement.
summon (verb) – request the presence of, demand the presence of.
on the heels of (phrase) – close behind, soon after, right after, following closely.
Summit for Democracy (noun) – On December 9-10, 2021, President Biden will host the first of two Summits for Democracy, which will bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action.
The U.S. Treasury (noun) – The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. Treasury’s mission highlights its role as the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, and as an influential participant in the world economy.
allegation (noun) – charge, accusation, indictment.
non-governmental organization (NGO) (noun) – it is generally defined as nonprofit entities independent of governmental influence (although they may receive government funding). A not-for profit, voluntary citizen’s group that is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.
disappearance (noun) – a fact of someone going missing.
extrajudicial (adjective) – out-of court, private, unauthorized/unwarranted (by law).
torture (noun) – abuse, ill treatment, maltreatment, harsh treatment, punishment, persecution.
activist (noun) – a person who supports a political or societal change/cause.
invoke (verb) – cite, refer to, adduce, make reference to.
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, 2016 (noun) – The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions and deny entry into the United States to any foreign person identified as engaging in human rights abuse or corruption.
task force (noun) – armed force.
mandate (noun) – instruction, directive, decree, order, ruling, ordinance, law, statute.
intelligence (noun) – (military/political) information, facts, details, particulars.
interest (noun) – common concern, particularly in politics or business.
undermine (verb) – weaken, subvert, sabotage, damage.
rule of law (phrase) – it is described as “a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.
picture (noun) – situation, condition, circumstances.
application (noun) – implementation, use, exercise, utilization, putting into operation/practice.
alleged (adjective) – supposed, claimed, professed, purported, reported, ostensible.
illicit (adjective) – illegal, unlawful, against the law.
abroad (adverb) – overseas, in a foreign country.
arms (noun) – weapons of war, weaponry, firearms, guns, artillery, armaments.
gross (adjective) – flagrant, overt, blatant, glaring, obvious/ evident; total/complete.
ethnic (adjective) – relating to a population subgroup (cultural, national, traditional/folk) with a common national or cultural tradition.
facilitate (verb) – make easy, make possible, enable, assist, help/aid.
crackdown (noun) – getting tough, severe/stern measures, restriction, suppression/repression, clampdown.
knee-jerk (adjective) – unthinking, unintentional, unplanned.
sweeping (adjective) – extensive, comprehensive, all-inclusive, all-embracing, far-reaching; overwhelming, decisive, thorough, complete, total, absolute, unconditional, unrestricted.
effectiveness (noun) – efficacy, potency, power.
moral authority (noun) – The quality or characteristic of being respected for having good character or knowledge, especially as a source of guidance or an exemplar of proper conduct.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
periodically (adverb) – at regular intervals.
be at the receiving end (phrase) – be subjected to something (criticism/attack).
rampant (adjective) – widespread, present everywhere/pervasive, unrestrained/out of control.
highlight (verb) – underline, underscore, emphasize.
salutary (adjective) – practical, valuable, helpful/useful, beneficial.
ripple effect/domino effect/knock-on effect (noun) – an event (or a process/action) that causes several other events to happen indirectly one after the other; secondary/indirect effect, consequence/implication, chain of events.
indeed (adverb) – in fact, actually, undeniably.
give pause (phrase) – make serious; cause someone to think carefully before doing something.
act out (phrasal verb) – behave, perform badly.
prejudice (noun) – bigotry, bias, partisanship, partiality, intolerance, discrimination, preference, one-sidedness, unfairness, inequality, inequity.