Persecution of Christians has increased worldwide

Gutted: Assyrian Church of Tal Tamr, Syria.

Source: ACN/ICN

Christians are suffering increased violence, discrimination and other human rights abuses around the world, according to a report unveiled on Tuesday. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2022-24 at an event in the House of Lords, revealing that Christian persecution has significantly worsened in most countries surveyed.

Persecuted and Forgotten? provides global and regional analysis, examining the situation for Christians in 18 countries of key concern - from Nicaragua in Latin America to Burma (Myanmar) in the Far East - between summer 2022 and summer 2024.

Countries where Christian persecution and oppression has increased include world powers such as China and India, as well as Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.

For the first time in the report's 18-year history, Nicaragua is featured in response to extreme oppressive measures targeting Christians, notably the mass detention and expulsion of clergy.

The report features first-hand testimonies from survivors of anti-Christian attacks, in addition to details of incidents based on information obtained from ACN's local contacts.

Recurring themes in the report include the displacement of Christian communities following attacks by extremist groups and the forced marriage and conversion of Christian women and girls, as well as the kidnapping and intimidation of priests and the publication of derogatory content about Christianity in school textbooks.

Anti-Christian persecution has been perpetrated by both state and non-state actors, such as terrorist organisations, other groups of religious extremists and criminal gangs.

The report states that militant Islam was responsible for the increased persecution in all six African countries reviewed, indicating that "the epicentre of militant Islamist violence has shifted from the Middle East to Africa".

It goes on to explain: "Mass migration of Christian communities, triggered by militant Islamist attacks, has destabilised and disenfranchised them, raising questions about the long-term survival of the Church in key regions."

The report states: "Authoritarian regimes, including those in China, Eritrea, India and Iran, ramped up repressive measures against Christians, either in the name of religious nationalism or state secularism/communism.

"The restrictions included tougher sentencing for alleged insults against state ideology, confiscation of places of worship, increased arrests of clergy and laity as well as longer periods of detention."

Other highlights from the report include an upsurge in violent attacks on Christians in Pakistan triggered by blasphemy allegations and the detention of more than 850 people under anti-conversion laws in India.

Vietnam is the only country in the report where a slight improvement was noted, especially because of "steps taken to re-establish diplomatic ties" with the Vatican.

The Persecuted and Forgotten? parliamentary launch event featured speeches by crossbench peer Lord Alton of Liverpool, ACN (UK) Head of Press and Public Affairs John Pontifex and ACN (UK) Public & Parliamentary Affairs Officer Daniel Beurthe.

Attendees also heard witness testimonies from several people who have experienced persecution first hand.

Iraqi Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil, pointed out the Christian population in Iraq - one of the oldest Christian communities in the world - has declined dramatically since the war. "We are all afraid" he said. "We are tired of wars.. But we need not only aid, but a voice, and prayers."

Father Stephen Ojapah, who is now serving as a parish priest in Chelmsford described his harrowing experience in 2022, when he was abducted by Islamists in Nigeria.

Ribqa Nevash described the prejudice she suffered as a Christian in Pakistan. She also described her meeting with Maira Shabaz, who at the age of 14 was kidnapped, raped and forced to convert to Islam and marry her abductor. She now lives at a secret location and is completely traumatized.

Physical and digital copies of Persecuted and Forgotten? are available here: https://acnuk.org/pf-edition-2024/