with impunity
The United Nations has allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish in its offices around the world, with accusers ignored and perpetrators free to act with impunity, the Guardian has been told.
Dozens of current and former UN employees described a culture of silence across the organisation and a flawed grievance system that is stacked against victims.
Of the employees interviewed, 15 said they had experienced or reported sexual harassment or assault within the past five years. The alleged offences ranged from verbal harassment to rape.
Seven of the women had formally reported what happened, a route that campaigners say is rarely pursued by victims for fear of losing their job, or in the belief that no action will be taken. (Skip the rest)
今回取り上げる語は、with impunity です。まず “impunity” /ɪmpjúːnəṭi/ の意味を確認します。OEDをみると、"Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.” とあります。また、『ジーニアス英和辞典』(大修館)をみると、「[正式]刑罰を受けないこと」とありました。この語は題のように “with impunity” と使われることが多く、これをLDOCEでみると “if someone does something bad with impunity, there is no risk that they will be punished for it” とあり、『ジーニアス英和辞典』(大修館)には「刑罰をうけずに、とがめられることもなく」と記載がありました。
次に語源を確認します。OEDをみると、“Mid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis ‘unpunished’, from in- ‘not’ + poena ‘penalty’ or punire ‘punish’.” とあります。(OkaUchi)
