What is the difference between persecuteing a person and punishing a person.?

"Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual/group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms."

"Punishment is the practice of imposing something unpleasant or aversive on a person or animal in response to an unwanted, disobedient or morally wrong behavior."

There is really not much difference. The only difference is that to persecute, is basically to annoy the hell out of them... for no reason other than being malicious. To be punished is a result of something that you did wrong.... to persecute is a wrong being done to you.

For example,

Punishment - "As a result of your frequent unexcused absences, we will have to let you go"

Persecute - "My ex is dating you, therefore, I don't like you. I will do everything in my power to break you up. I will pass by your house and I will call you endlessly at all times of the night because I don't like you, not because you have offended me"

I hope that makes sense.

When you persecute a person you assume they are guilty when you punish them they have been found guilty of the crime.