What is the term for treating someone unfairly based on their race, religion, or sex?

The term for treating someone unfairly based on their race, religion, or sex is discrimination. Discrimination involves actions or behaviors that result in unfair treatment of individuals or groups, often stemming from prejudiced beliefs about certain characteristics. It can manifest in various ways, including unequal opportunities in employment, education, and service access, and it is a violation of rights meant to protect individuals from such unjust treatment.

The other terms like harassment, stereotyping, and bias, although related to unfair treatment, describe different concepts. Harassment specifically refers to unwanted and offensive behavior that targets a person in a way that creates a hostile environment. Stereotyping involves making generalized beliefs about a group, which can lead to discrimination but does not itself constitute unfair treatment. Bias refers to a preference or inclination that can be either positive or negative, but it doesn't necessarily indicate the act of treating someone unfairly. Therefore, discrimination is the most precise term for the unfair treatment based on inherent characteristics such as race, religion, or sex.