Last year, Christians murdered for their faith decreased, but there was an increase in abuse

NOS News•today, 02:22

The number of Christians murdered for their faith decreased slightly worldwide last year. However, last year there was a significant increase in physical and mental abuse of Christians because of their faith. This is what the international Christian organization Open Doors, founded in the Netherlands, says in its annual report.

Last year, 4,476 Christians were murdered worldwide for their faith. The year before, there were almost 5,000. This difference is mainly because fewer Christians were killed in Nigeria, although at 3,100 the number is still the highest of all countries. The number of Christians abused worldwide rose from 42,849 to 54,780 cases.

The organization estimates that 380 million Christians face severe persecution and discrimination because of their faith. “The increase in authoritarian regimes in Central Asia is striking,” the annual report states. “They secure their position with a heavy hand and offer no room for people who believe differently and think differently.”

Open Doors annually ranks the countries where Christians are at greatest risk of persecution. For the 23rd time, North Korea is in first place there. “The fifty countries in the Christian Persecution Ranking show a world of suffering,” says director Maarten Dees. “An orgy of violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Suffocating regimes in North Korea and Afghanistan. Authoritarian governments calling the shots, such as in Central Asia, China and India, or failing governments that allow violence to happen and go unpunished.”