assertion

/ə-ˈsər-shən/

noun

  1. the act of asserting or something that is asserted: such as

  2. insistent and positive affirming, maintaining, or defending (as of a right or attribute)

  3. a declaration that something is the case

an assertion of ownership/innocence

noun

  1. the act of asserting oneself or one's own rights, claims, or opinions

  2. the act of asserting one's superiority over others