Worldwide persecution of Christians has increased

By Kenya Today

The persecution of Christians in Africa has increased significantly the last few years. This is one of the main conclusions drawn from the official Christian Persecution Ranking, published by Open Doors. The ranking is compiled from research outcomes with regard to privacy, community, churches and public space.

Persecution of Christians in Africa is on the rise

The rise of Christian persecution in Africa is one of the major changes that the ranking shows. Mali, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Niger are new on the list. Some other countries, such as Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and Ethiopia, have risen in the rankings.
Furthermore, the persecution of Christians in former communist countries has decreased. Cuba for example has disappeared from the rankings; China’s position dropped from 21 to 37. Even former Soviet states such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan dropped to the bottom of the list.

The persecution of Christians in Islamic countries has increased. Eight of these countries are in the top 10. In the Middle East the violence against Christians has increased. “The Arab Spring has become an Arab Winter for Christians. African fundamentalist groups have been inspired, “explains Tjalling Schotanus, director of Open Doors.

The largest climber is Syria, with an increase from the 36th place in 2012 no. 11. Christians have been regarded as supporters of the Assad regime. Additionally, Syria’s internal struggle attracted jihadists from neighboring countries over the past year, which also have an anti-Christian agenda, making life for Christians in the country nearly impossible. Tens of thousands of Christians have fled the country fort his reason.
North Korea was and is no. 1 one the list. The mere possession of a Bible is in North Korea enough to be executed with your whole family.

Christian Persecution Ranking

1. North Korea (1)
2. Saudi Arabia (3)
3. Afghanistan (2)
4. Iraq (9)
5. Somalia (4)
6. Maldives (6)
7. Mali (-)
8. Iran (5)
9. Yemen (8)
10. Eritrea (11)
11. Syria (36)
12. Sudan (16)
13. Nigeria (13)
14. Pakistan (10)
15. Ethiopia (38)
16. Uzbekistan (7)
17. Libya (26)
18. Laos (12)
19. Turkmenistan (18)
20. Qatar (22)
21. Vietnam (19)
22. Oman (27)
23. Mauritania (14)
24. Tanzania (-)
25. Egypt (15)
26. United Arab Emirates (37)
27. Brunei (28)
28. Bhutan (17)
29. Algeria (23)
30. Tunisia (35)
31. India (32)
32. Burma (33)
33. Kuwait (30)
34. Jordan (40)
35. Bahrain (46)
36. Palestinian Territories (44)
37. China (21)
38. Azerbaijan (25)
39. Morocco (29)
40. Kenya (-)
41. Comoros (24)
42. Malaysia (50)
43. Djibouti (39)
44. Tajikistan (34)
45. Indonesia (43)
46. Colombia (47)
47. Uganda (-)
48. Kazakhstan (45)
49. Kyrgyzstan (48)
50. Niger (-)