State-sponsored violence refers to acts of violence that are carried out or endorsed by a government against its own citizens or other groups. This can include actions such as torture, extrajudicial killings, and repression of dissent. Such violence is often used to maintain control, suppress opposition, or instill fear among the population. This type of violence can manifest in various forms, including police brutality, military actions against civilians, and systematic persecution of specific groups, such as ethnic minorities or political dissidents. International organizations, like the United Nations, often monitor and condemn state-sponsored violence to promote human rights and accountability.