The Ten Most Dangerous Countries In the World For Christians in 2023

360 Million Christians around the world are being persecuted, notably in Nigeria, China, N. Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, Sudan, Libya and others

Also see the GCC Post of Raymond Ibraham’s A Pandemic You Rarely Hear About: 360 Millon Christians Persecuted Worldwide

From Open Doors US World Watch Report for 2023

Over the 30 years of the Open Doors World Watch List reporting, the global phenomenon of Christian persecution has grown exponentially. Today, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. In 1993, Christians faced high to extreme levels of persecution in 40 countries. This number has nearly doubled to 76 countries in 2023. For this reporting period, in the top 50 countries alone, 312 million Christians now face very high or extreme levels. Worldwide, 1 in 7 Christians now experience at least “high” levels of persecution or discrimination; with 1 in 5 in Africa, 2 in 5 in Asia, and 1 in 15 in Latin America.

NORTH KOREA

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is unique because there is not even an appearance of religious freedom. As the regime cracks down on what it sees as foreign influences, if Christians are discovered, they and their families are deported to labor camps as political prisoners or executed. For Christians, gathering together is almost impossible and is only attempted in absolute secrecy with minimal numbers.

SOMALIA

Christians in Somalia face extreme persecution. They are explicitly targeted by the terrorist Islamist group al-Shabaab and are frequently killed immediately upon discovery. Even being suspected of having converted to Christianity can greatly endanger one’s life. Anyone found in possession of any Christian materials, including the Bible, is executed, often with the blessing of their family and community.

YEMEN

In the midst of war and strife, Christians in Yemen are increasingly facing violent attacks and lengthy incarceration. Converts to Christianity are even more vulnerable to physical and mental abuse, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage, and honor killings.

ERITREA

The Eritrean authorities only recognize the Eritrean Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches, along with Sunni Islam. As a result, non-traditional Protestant churches are frequently subjected to raids and members imprisoned for long periods of time. Members of these churches are regarded as unpatriotic foreign agents. The lifting of UN sanctions has not corresponded to any alleviation in pressure for Christians.

LIBYA

Libya has no functioning government and is primarily run by Islamist terrorist organizations, Organized Crime Groups and drug cartels. Christians are targeted for kidnap, rape, slavery and extra-judicial killings. These crimes are perpetrated with complete impunity. Christians who convert from Islam are routinely killed by their own families as a matter of honor.

NIGERIA

Nigerian Christians face violence from Fulani Militants in the Middle Belt, Boko Haram and ISWAP in the north and bandits throughout the border regions. This year, terrorist attacks happened as far south as Ondo State, with 41 Christians murdered in one church on Pentecost Sunday.

PAKISTAN

Apart from Nigeria, Pakistan is the only country awarded the maximum violence score by the Open Doors World Watch List. Christian women and girls are still regularly targeted for abduction, rape and forced conversion. The country’s infamous blasphemy laws remain a constant threat to Pakistan’s beleaguered Christian community. All Christians suffer institutional discrimination.

IRAN

Violent attacks and abductions targeted at Iranian Christians have increased this year. Converts face extreme hostility from their families and communities, and pastors are regularly arrested, prosecuted and given lengthy prison sentences for “crimes against national security.”

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan remains a brutal place for Christians to live. It has dropped significantly in the World Watch List ranking solely due to the fact that many Christians were forced to flee in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover last year. Christian converts remain in grave danger in Afghanistan and their mere existence requires they live in deep hiding.

SUDAN

Last year, Sudan dropped in the World Watch List after the fall of the al-Bashir government and some positive legislative changes. Current authorities are now, however, forcibly closing churches and arresting pastors, and it is clear that extremist rule has returned. In addition, the integration of local community police forces and the continued presence of armed militia and terrorist groups mean that Christians remain under the constant threat of violence.

READ THE REST OF THE REPORT HERE.