Anti-Christian persecution on the rise according to Open Doors

By Lisa Zengarini

More than 365 million Christians in the world, that is one in seven, face high levels of persecution for their faith today, according to the latest World Watch List published by Open Doors, an international advocacy organization supporting persecuted Christians and Churches worldwide.

The report listing the fifty most dangerous countries  for Christians to live was presented on January 17 at the Italian House of Deputies. 

On a global scale the latest figures, collected though the non-denominational organization’s local networks between October 2022 and September 2023 , are the worst since it started monitoring anti-Christian persecution over thirty year ago.

13 countries with "extreme level" of persecution 

According to the watch list attacks on churches and Christian properties sky-rocketed in 2023, as more Christians faced violent attacks, while the number of countries recording an "extreme level" of persecution rose from 11 to 13 since the previous report.

Hostile acts include, in the worst cases, killings, assaults, torture and  kidnappings but also harassment and discrimination in the workplace, in access to healthcare, education and places of worship.

2 in 5 Christians  persecuted in Asia and 1 in 5 in Africa

In 2023 the highest rate of persecution was recorded in Asia (two Christians out of five) and in Africa (one out of five), followed by far by Latin America (one in sixteen), including four countries: Cuba, Nicaragua, Colombia and Mexico.

North Korea first in the list

As has been for years North Korea appears again as the most hostile place in the world for Christians, who have no freedom of worship, and if discovered practicing their faith, face labour camps, if not death. In 2023, the country strengthened its border with the People’s Republic of China making it harder for Christians to flee.

Regarding other nations in Asia and the Middle East, Yemen (5), Pakistan (7), Iran (9), Afghanistan (10) remain ranked in the top ten countries where Christians are most persecuted, with Pakistan featuring in second position globally after Nigeria for anti-Christian violence.

Also appearing in the top ten are four African nations, including conflict-torn and Muslim-majority Somalia (2) Lybia (3) and Sudan (8), and also Nigeria (6) where Christian communities continue to be targeted by Boko Haram Islamist terrorists and by Muslim Fulani herders, as happened more recently in the Christmas massacre in the State of Plateau.

Nigeria the deadliest coutry for Christians

Indeed, Nigeria remains the deadliest place for Christians. Violence only eased during the 2023  Presidential elections which accounted for a drop in the number of Christians killed globally compared to the previous year (4,998 against 5,621).

On the other hand, 2023 saw a global upsurge in the number of attacks on churches and Christian-run schools, hospitals and cemeteries which rose seven times. The increase was driven by mob violence in India, church closures in China, and attacks in Nigeria, Nicaragua and Ethiopia.

Displacement due to conflict

Destabilization caused by war or extremism also exposed Christians to more risks forcing them to flee their homes. Over 295,000 Christians were displaced by conflict in 2023, more than double 2022’s total. Across the most dangerous countries for believers in Sub-Saharan Africa, about 3 per cent of all Christians are displaced.

Some good news from Mali and India

On a positive note, Open Doors also recorded some good news, namely in Mali where in June 2023, voters adopted a new constitution that expressly recognises non-Muslim minorities , including Christians, and in India, where an anti-conversion law was rolled back in the key state of Karnataka, after the Congress Party, the main opposition to India’s governing nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),  won a crucial election in the state.