Introduction
Christian persecution is the hostility that Christians experience for their faith, which can include rejection, isolation, denial of basic needs, violent abuse, imprisonment, and death. The Open Doors organization estimates that more than 365 million Christians are currently experiencing high levels of persecution and discrimination.
Where does this hostility come from? Well in the UK it comes from other religious groups, from non-believers, from society and from the authorities. An anti-Christian bias, together with a more favourable attitude to other religions is starting to worry worshippers, who may now feel that expressing their beliefs publicly can have adverse effects. Don’t believe me? Read this –
Here are some of the more notable incidents over the past five years (2019-2024) in the UK that have been attributed to discrimination against Christians or anti-Christian bias:
Christian Preacher Arrested in London
A street preacher, Dave McConnell, was arrested for allegedly causing public offense by preaching Biblical views on gender and sexuality. The arrest was criticized by Christian groups as an example of free speech suppression and anti-Christian bias in public discourse.
Revocation of Christian Doctor’s Medical License
Dr. David Mackereth, a Christian doctor, lost his case in court after being dismissed from his role in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for refusing to refer to transgender patients by their chosen pronouns. The court ruled that his belief in Genesis 1:27, regarding male and female as created by God, was “incompatible with human dignity,” raising concerns about religious freedom for Christians.
Christian Views on Sexuality in Schools
A student at a Church of England school in London was expelled for expressing Christian views about marriage and sexuality during a classroom debate. The case attracted media attention as Christian parents and advocacy groups argued it represented increasing intolerance toward Christian beliefs in educational settings.
Teacher Suspended Over Christian Values
A teacher at a Catholic school in Birmingham was suspended for expressing support for traditional Christian views on marriage during a staff meeting. The suspension led to criticism of educational institutions for silencing Christian perspectives on controversial social issues.
Exclusion of Christian Adoption Agencies
Several Christian adoption agencies reported facing challenges and being excluded from government contracts or funding because they hold to traditional Christian views on marriage and family. The perceived institutional bias against Christian-based service providers raised concerns about equal treatment.
Police Interference with Christian Gatherings During Lockdowns
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, several churches reported heavy-handed enforcement of restrictions by the police, including arrests of ministers and fines issued to congregants. While restrictions were in place for all religious groups, Christian leaders claimed discriminatory enforcement, with some churches facing more scrutiny than others.
Removal of Crosses in Public Spaces
There were multiple incidents reported across the UK where Christian symbols, including crosses, were removed from public spaces such as hospitals, schools, and council buildings. These actions, often justified as promoting “inclusivity” or “neutrality,” were seen by some Christian groups as secularist bias targeting Christian heritage.
Dismissal of Christian Charity Workers
Several Christian charity workers reported facing dismissal or disciplinary action after sharing their faith with colleagues or beneficiaries. For instance, a worker in London was dismissed after offering to pray with a client, raising concerns about discrimination in the workplace against Christians.
Exclusion of Christian Foster Parents
A couple was rejected as foster parents by a local council after expressing traditional Christian beliefs on marriage and sexuality. The decision led to public outcry, with critics arguing that Christian foster carers were being excluded due to their religious views.
Street Preachers Arrested for Hate Speech
Multiple street preachers were arrested or fined across the UK for alleged hate speech, often related to their preaching on topics like homosexuality or same-sex marriage. Christian advocacy groups argued that these arrests reflected growing hostility toward Christian beliefs in public discourse.
Overview of Anti-Christian Incidents (2019-2024):
Arrests and Prosecutions: Several cases of street preachers and individuals expressing Christian beliefs on gender, sexuality, or morality being arrested or prosecuted.
Educational Settings: Christian students and teachers facing sanctions or disciplinary actions for expressing traditional Christian views.
Public and Workplace Exclusion: Incidents of workplace discrimination, especially in healthcare, adoption, and charity work, against Christians due to their religious beliefs.
Institutional Secularism: Removal of Christian symbols and exclusion of Christian perspectives in public services, seen as part of a broader secular trend.
These incidents highlight tensions between traditional Christian beliefs and modern societal norms in the UK, with concerns about freedom of religious expression and institutional bias against Christians being key points of contention.
Comparison with other Religions in the UK
Think I wrote that? Think again. That came from Chat GPT, which also gives you the following events in the UK over the past five years (2019–2024) that some commentators and critics have suggested reflect a societal bias towards or more favourable treatment of other faiths in comparison to Christianity:
2023 – London Mayor Hosts Eid Celebrations at Trafalgar Square
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, organized and hosted large-scale Eid celebrations in prominent public spaces such as Trafalgar Square. While this was seen as a celebration of London’s diversity, critics argued that similar large-scale public celebrations for Christian events, such as Easter or Christmas, do not receive comparable levels of public and official endorsement.
2022 – “Hijab Day” in Schools
Several UK schools participated in World Hijab Day, encouraging students to wear hijabs for a day in a show of solidarity with Muslim women. While this was intended to promote understanding, some Christian groups argued that similar initiatives to promote understanding of Christian symbols like the cross or crucifix are rarely, if ever, organized, suggesting a possible bias in favour of Islam over Christianity in educational institutions.
2021 – Increased Official Support for Islamic Holidays
Local councils across the UK have increasingly offered significant public funding and space for the celebration of Islamic holidays like Eid and Ramadan in community centres and public spaces. Some Christian groups have criticized this, pointing out that Christian holidays, particularly Good Friday and Easter, often do not receive the same level of municipal support or public recognition.
2021 – Equalities Minister Criticizes “Islamophobia” While Remaining Silent on Christian Persecution
The UK’s Equalities Minister made strong public statements condemning Islamophobia and committing to tackle discrimination against Muslims, which was widely praised. However, some Christian groups and commentators pointed out that there was no parallel statement condemning the growing global persecution of Christians, nor was there specific advocacy for Christians facing bias in the UK, suggesting an imbalance in official concern for religious groups.
2020 – Ramadan Celebrations During COVID-19 Restrictions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while Christian churches faced strict limits on congregation sizes and closures during important periods like Easter, some Ramadan gatherings were allowed to proceed, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, with local councils facilitating street events. This led to criticism from Christian groups who argued that they faced more stringent restrictions during their religious observances.
2020 – Halal Meat in School Meals
There have been several cases where schools in Muslim-majority areas in the UK opted to serve only halal meat in school meals to accommodate the dietary requirements of Muslim students. Some non-Muslim parents, including Christians, expressed concerns that their religious and cultural preferences were being overlooked, with no similar accommodations made for Christian or secular diets.
2019 – London “Islamophobia Awareness Month”
The UK saw growing adoption of Islamophobia Awareness Month, widely endorsed by public institutions, local councils, and schools. While this initiative aimed to raise awareness of anti-Muslim discrimination, some Christian leaders pointed out that there was no parallel event for anti-Christian discrimination, despite global persecution and domestic bias against Christians. This was viewed by some as favouring one religious group’s concerns over others.
2019 – Sikh Turbans and Muslim Hijabs in Uniform Policies
Several public institutions and companies amended their dress code policies to accommodate Sikh turbans and Muslim hijabs, while restrictions on Christian crosses remained in place in certain workplaces. In some cases, employees have reported that they were not allowed to wear visible Christian symbols, leading to concerns about unequal treatment in the workplace.
2019 – Protection of Religious Symbols in Muslim and Jewish Cemeteries
Several local councils implemented increased security measures for Muslim and Jewish cemeteries in response to vandalism and hate crimes. While these measures were widely seen as necessary, Christian groups noted that Christian cemeteries did not receive similar protections despite facing similar incidents of vandalism and desecration.
2019 – Lack of Parity in Faith Schools
Some Christian organizations have pointed out that Muslim and Jewish faith schools in the UK have received significant government funding and support for maintaining their religious ethos, while Christian schools, particularly in areas with large secular populations, have faced challenges in retaining their faith-based curriculums and receiving equivalent levels of support.
Summary of Potential Bias Towards Other Faiths (2019–2024):
Public Celebrations: Islamic festivals such as Eid and Ramadan receiving greater public recognition and support compared to Christian holidays.
Education Sector: Initiatives like Hijab Day in schools seen as promoting understanding of Islam, with no similar initiatives for Christian practices.
COVID-19 Restrictions: Perceived unequal enforcement of restrictions during Christian versus Muslim religious events.
Dietary Accommodations: Schools and public institutions catering to Muslim halal dietary requirements, with less accommodation for Christian preferences.
Workplace Symbolism: More favourable treatment of Muslim and Sikh religious symbols (hijabs, turbans) over Christian crosses.
These incidents reflect growing concerns in some Christian communities and conservative commentators that other faiths, particularly Islam, are receiving preferential treatment in public life, education, and government policy, while Christianity is increasingly marginalized or treated with less consideration.
Anti Christian Bias Comes Marching In
There has been considerable immigration into the UK from what US Department of State labels countries as “countries of particular concern” if their governments tolerate or engage in severe violations of religious freedom. These countries include Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Vietnam.
Estimates for people living in Britain who are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants from the countries you’ve listed. These figures are based on available data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), Migration Observatory, and other related sources, providing a snapshot of the most recent trends. The numbers typically include first-generation immigrants (born abroad) and second-generation immigrants (UK-born but with at least one foreign-born parent):
Burma (Myanmar)
Estimated Population: 25,000–30,000. Burmese immigrants in the UK are relatively small compared to other countries on this list, though there has been a rise in asylum seekers in recent years due to political instability. Immigration from Burma has been limited, but a notable proportion of Burmese immigrants to the UK are Buddhist or from the majority Theravada Buddhist ethnic groups. Many arrived as refugees fleeing military rule and ethnic conflicts.
Bangladesh
Estimated Population: 600,000–700,000. Bangladeshi immigration to the UK started in the mid-20th century, with a large concentration in London, especially in the Tower Hamlets area. Many are second- and third-generation British citizens.
China
Estimated Population: 400,000–500,000. The Chinese community in Britain includes both long-established communities and more recent migrants, particularly students and professionals. The population has been growing rapidly due to student visas and work-related migration. A large number of Chinese immigrants to the UK over the past 70 years have been non-religious or follow traditional Chinese beliefs such as Buddhism, Taoism, or **Confucianism. There was significant immigration after the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, with many seeking economic opportunities or escaping political tensions.
Eritrea
Estimated Population: 30,000–40,000. Many Eritreans in the UK arrived as asylum seekers due to political oppression and human rights abuses in Eritrea. Eritrea is religiously split between Orthodox Christianity and Islam. Many Eritrean immigrants to the UK are Muslim, particularly those fleeing conscription and the oppressive regime since the 1990s. Eritrean Muslims have sought asylum due to both religious and political persecution.
India
Estimated Population: 1.4–1.5 million. Indian immigrants form one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the UK, with a well-established presence that dates back to colonial times. Many are second- or third-generation British citizens. Indian immigration to the UK has historically been substantial, especially after WWII and Indian independence in 1947. The majority of Indian immigrants have been Hindus, followed by Muslims and Sikhs. The Indian community in the UK is one of the largest non-Christian groups, particularly in cities like London, Leicester, and Birmingham.
Iran
Estimated Population: 80,000–90,000. There has been a steady flow of Iranian migrants to the UK, many arriving as political refugees or asylum seekers. A significant portion of this group is highly educated and integrated into British society. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, large numbers of Muslims, primarily Shi’a, have migrated to the UK, escaping political repression and seeking better opportunities. Many Iranian dissidents, intellectuals, and students have settled in the UK, contributing to a significant Muslim diaspora.
Nigeria
Estimated Population: 200,000–250,000. The Nigerian community in the UK is one of the fastest-growing groups, with strong links between the two countries dating back to British colonial rule. Many are second- and third-generation immigrants. While Nigeria has a significant Christian population, many immigrants from northern Nigeria to the UK are Muslims. Political instability and religious conflicts between Christians and Muslims have driven migration, with the UK becoming a key destination for Nigerian Muslim professionals, students, and refugees.
Pakistan
Estimated Population: 1.1–1.2 million. The Pakistani community is one of the largest and most established in the UK, with a strong presence in cities like Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester. Many are second- or third-generation British citizens. Pakistanis make up one of the largest non-Christian immigrant groups in the UK. The majority of Pakistani immigrants are Muslims, predominantly Sunni, with a significant Ahmadiyya and Shi’a minority. Immigration surged after the partition of India in 1947, continuing in waves through the 1960s and 1970s, with many settling in cities like Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester.
Russia
Estimated Population: 70,000–80,000. The Russian population in the UK has been increasing, particularly due to high-net-worth individuals settling in London and students coming for higher education. Russia is predominantly Orthodox Christian, but non-Christian immigrants to the UK from Russia include Muslims from regions like Chechnya and Dagestan, and Jewish migrants who left during periods of anti-Semitic repression, especially in the late 20th century.
Saudi Arabia
Estimated Population: 20,000–25,000. The Saudi population in the UK is relatively small and is mostly comprised of students, professionals, and businesspeople, many of whom reside temporarily in the UK for work or study. Saudi immigration to the UK consists primarily of Muslims, particularly Sunni Muslims. Many Saudi nationals come to the UK as students or for business, and a number of wealthy Saudis have homes in the UK. Immigration is often linked to educational and economic opportunities rather than asylum-seeking.
Syria
Estimated Population: 40,000–50,000. The Syrian community in the UK has grown due to the ongoing civil war, with many Syrians arriving as refugees. The UK has also taken in Syrian asylum seekers under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. The Syrian civil war has led to a significant increase in immigration, with most refugees being Muslims —both Sunni and Shi’a, including Alawites. The UK has accepted a large number of Syrian refugees since 2011, and many have integrated into existing Middle Eastern and Muslim communities.
Summary of Relevant Immigrant Population (Rounded Estimates):
Burma: 25,000–30,000
Bangladesh: 600,000–700,000
China: 400,000–500,000
Eritrea: 30,000–40,000
India: 1.4–1.5 million
Iran: 80,000–90,000
Nigeria: 200,000–250,000
Pakistan: 1.1–1.2 million
Russia: 70,000–80,000
Saudi Arabia: 20,000–25,000
Syria: 40,000–50,000
These figures provide a broad understanding of the scale of migration from these countries to the UK. The numbers include both those born abroad and their UK-born descendants, reflecting both recent immigration trends and long-established communities. It is a total of between four and five million people, all imported from countries where Christian persecution is serious and widespread. Shown below is the global picture of anti-Christian activity highlighting the main culprit countries
Persecution of Christians in the post–Cold War era has been taking place in Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Middle East since 1989. Christians are persecuted widely across the Islamic world. Native Christian communities are subjected to persecution in several Muslim-majority countries such as Egypt and Pakistan. The persecution of Christians in North Korea is ongoing and systematic. According to the Christian organization Open Doors, North Korea persecutes Christians more than any other country in the world. The issue of Christianophobia was considered by the UK parliament on 5 December 2007 in a Westminster Hall Commons debate. Some people, such as actor Rainn Wilson, who is not a Christian himself, have argued that Hollywood has often expressed anti-Christian bias. Actor Matthew McConaughey has stated that he has seen Christians in Hollywood hiding their faith for the sake of their careers.
Here are some details about Christian persecution:
Countries of particular concern
The US Department of State labels countries as “countries of particular concern” if their governments tolerate or engage in severe violations of religious freedom. These countries include Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Vietnam. Further down the list are Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, the Central African Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sudan, and Turkey constitute the US State Department’s “special watchlist” of countries in which the government allows or engages in “severe violations of religious freedom”.
For example, the U.S. Department of State identified 1.4 million Christians in Iraq in 1991 when the Gulf War Current situation began. By 2010, the number of Christians dropped to 700,000 and by 2011 it was estimated that there were between 450,000 and 200,000 Christians left in Iraq. During that period, actions against Christians included the burning and bombing of churches, the bombing of Christian owned businesses and homes, kidnapping, murder, demands for protection money, and anti-Christian rhetoric in the media with those responsible saying that they wanted to rid the country of its Christians
Much of the persecution of Christians in recent times is perpetrated by non-state actors which are labelled “entities of particular concern” by the US State Department, including the Islamist groups Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Houthi movement in Yemen, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province in Pakistan, al-Shabaab in Somalia, the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Islamic State as well as the United Wa State Army and participants in the Kachin conflict in Myanmar
Overview of Non-Christian Immigration Trends
Non-Christian immigration to the UK from these countries has largely been shaped by political instability, conflict, and economic opportunities. The UK has received large numbers of Muslims from Pakistan, Iran, and Nigeria, as well as Buddhists from Burma and Vietnam. Post-colonial ties, asylum-seeking due to persecution, and the UK’s role as a global economic hub have made it a major destination for diverse non-Christian communities over the past 70 years. These communities have formed important parts of British society, particularly in cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leicester.
Non-state actors
The US State Department also labels non-state actors as “entities of particular concern” if they persecute Christians. These actors include Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Anti-Christian Incidents Over the Past Five Years (2019–2024) in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Eritrea:
India:
India has seen a significant rise in anti-Christian incidents over the past five years, often linked to growing Hindu nationalism, with extremists targeting Christian communities for alleged “forced conversions.”
2023 – Chhattisgarh: A series of violent attacks took place in tribal areas, where Adivasi Christians were assaulted and displaced by mobs accusing them of converting to Christianity.
2022 – Karnataka: A new anti-conversion law was passed, leading to increased harassment of pastors and church raids. A Christian pastor was attacked in his home by extremists.
2021 – Uttar Pradesh: Several pastors were arrested under anti-conversion laws, with mobs attacking church services and accusing them of converting Hindus.
2020 – Tamil Nadu: A Christian man was lynched by a mob after being accused of converting people in his village. Police investigations were delayed, contributing to concerns of bias.
2019 – Jharkhand: Christian missionaries were accused of converting tribal populations, leading to attacks on churches and arrests of Christian leaders under stringent state anti-conversion laws.
Pakistan:
Pakistan continues to see widespread discrimination and violence against Christians, especially related to blasphemy laws and societal discrimination.
2023 – Jaranwala, Punjab: A massive mob attack on Christian neighbourhoods, burning homes and churches, occurred following a blasphemy accusation against two Christian brothers.
2022 – Peshawar: A Christian priest was shot dead outside his church by armed assailants linked to Islamic extremist groups.
2021 – Lahore: A Christian nurse was charged under blasphemy laws after allegedly speaking about her faith. She was detained and faced threats of violence.
2020 – Karachi: A Christian teenager was abducted and forced into marriage with a Muslim man. Such incidents of forced conversions have increased in recent years.
2019 – Faisalabad: A Christian family was attacked by a mob for allegedly desecrating Islamic symbols. Their home was set on fire, and they were forced to flee the area.
29 Dec 2023 Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had recently with the government of Pakistan on that country’s blasphemy laws insofar as they affect Christians and converts to Christianity, and the impact of that legislation on Pakistan’s international treaty obligations.
Answering member: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office We regularly raise our concern over the (mis)use of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws privately at the highest levels. We continue to press for due process and adherence to international obligations to prevent wrongful convictions, and speedy and fair trials for those accused. We also urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety of those released. I raised the use of blasphemy laws to target marginalised religious communities, including Christians, with then-Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada on 27 June. The High Commissioner also raised this issue with the Caretaker Minister for Human Rights Khalil George on 12 October.
12 Dec 2023 Asked by: Sir Edward Leigh . At the age of 14, Maira Shahbaz was abducted, forced into a marriage and raped. She escaped and has been sitting in one room with her entire family, terrified. She is now 18. I have lost track of the number of meetings I have had with successive Home Secretaries and the letters I have written. Nothing has happened to get this girl out, yet at the same time 100,000 fit young men are pouring across the channel in search of a better job. For God’s sake, can we not show some Christian compassion? What more can the Foreign Office do in Pakistan to try to stop these forced conversions and forced marriages?
Answered by: Leo Docherty | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
We continue to press these individual cases with the Pakistani Government. The former Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (James Cleverly) raised human rights, including the persecution of minorities, with caretaker Prime Minister Kakar on 25 September. Lord Ahmad raised the need to protect minority communities with caretaker Foreign Minister Jilani on 13 September and again in a letter on 5 October. We continue to raise in Religious persecution and Islamabad the issue of forced marriage and conversion with the Pakistani authorities
Nigeria:
Nigeria has experienced increasing attacks against Christians, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions, where Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militants have targeted Christian villages.
2023 – Plateau State: Fulani militants attacked several Christian villages, killing dozens and burning homes. The violence was part of an ongoing series of raids targeting Christians in the region.
2022 – Owo, Ondo State: A Catholic church was attacked by gunmen during mass, killing over 40 worshippers. The attack was linked to an extremist group, likely connected to ISWAP.
2021 – Kaduna State: Christian pastors were abducted by armed groups, and ransom demands were made. Several pastors were killed during these kidnappings.
2020 – Borno State: Boko Haram militants executed 11 Christians on Christmas Day as part of an ongoing campaign against non-Muslims in northern Nigeria.
2019 – Taraba State: Fulani militants attacked Christian communities in the Middle Belt, displacing thousands and killing dozens in raids on farming villages.
22 Nov 2023 Asked by: Fiona Bruce
Today is Red Wednesday when we remember millions of Christians and others worldwide who are persecuted for their faith—people such as Margaret Attah, a nurse and a lovely young mother of four, who is here today from Nigeria. She hid behind the altar as her church service was attacked. One hundred were injured and 41 killed that day simply for being in church. Margaret lost both legs and an eye. Thousands more suffer similarly in Nigeria each year. Does the Prime Minister agree that the best way that we can honour Red Wednesday today is to commit to quickly implementing the good words of the new International Development White Paper, which was published yesterday, to ensure that UK development policies going forward are inclusive of those marginalised for their religion or beliefs?
Answered by: Rishi Sunak | Prime Minister
I thank my hon. Friend for her continuing dedication as my special envoy on this vital issue. Red Wednesday is an important moment to demonstrate our solidarity with Christians and all those persecuted around the world for their religion or belief. Marking this event annually was just one of the recommendations in the Bishop of Truro’s report. I am pleased that today we will light up Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office buildings in the UK in red in support. I am also pleased to say that we have taken forward all 22 recommendations in a way that we believe is making a real change for those persecuted for their religion or belief.
Eritrea:
Eritrea’s government, led by the authoritarian regime of President Isaias Afwerki, has severely restricted religious freedom, with Christians from non-sanctioned denominations facing imprisonment, torture, and harassment.
2023 – Mass Arrests: Over 100 Christians were arrested during prayer meetings in underground house churches. These included Pentecostals and members of Evangelical churches.
2022 – Imprisonment of Elders: Several church leaders and elders from unregistered churches were arrested and detained without charge. Conditions in Eritrean prisons are known to be inhumane.
2021 – Prison Camp Abuse: Reports emerged of Christian detainees being subjected to torture and forced labor in prison camps, with some imprisoned without trial for over a decade.
2020 – Crackdown on Youth Worship: The government shut down several underground churches, arresting young Christian worshippers and detaining them indefinitely.
2019 – Forced Conscription: Christian conscientious objectors faced harsh punishment, including imprisonment and torture, for refusing to join the mandatory national military service, which is indefinite.
Summary of Anti-Christian Activity (2019-2024):
India: A rise in violence linked to Hindu nationalist groups and new anti-conversion laws.
Pakistan: Frequent misuse of blasphemy laws, forced conversions, and mob violence against Christians.
Nigeria: Escalating attacks by Islamist extremist groups (Boko Haram, ISWAP) and Fulani militants against Christian communities.
Eritrea: Severe repression of Christians in unregistered denominations, including arrests, torture, and imprisonment without trial.
These incidents illustrate the growing threat to Christian communities in these regions, often driven by religious extremism, discriminatory laws, and government complicity.