Techniques of neutralisation (Cohen)
Identifies ways that the state uses neutralisation techniques to justify human rights violations
denial of victim - vilifying the victim to suggest they were the actual villain in the situation
denial of injury - downplaying the harm done to the victim
denial of responsibility - the suggestion that people were obeying orders from other authority figures and hold no blame
condemning the condemners - suggesting they are only being blamed because of another systemic issue
appeal to higher loyalty - claim to be serving a higher cause