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WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

14.4

PRIVATE LIFE

16.7

FAMILY LIFE

16.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

16.7

NATIONAL LIFE

16.7

CHURCH LIFE

16.7

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings There is no freedom of religion or belief in North Korea. The regime keeps a watchful eye on all citizens. If Christians are discovered, they and their families are deported to labor camps as political criminals or killed on the spot. Gathering with other Christians is therefore almost impossible and must only be attempted in the utmost secrecy. “The worship of the leaders became ever more important over the years and, with its constant indoctrination, warnings about “superstitions” and religions (without naming them as such) became more important as well (USCIRF, “Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism and the right to freedom of religion, thought and conscience in North Korea”, 29 July 2022). The “anti-reactionary thought law”, enacted in 2020, included the Bible among the banned books mentioned in Article 28, showing that Christianity is still seen by the state as a grave danger.

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©Alamy

LIS

Nor th Korea

Quick facts LEADER State Affairs Commission President Kim Jong Un POPULATION 25,991,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 400,000 (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Agnosticism GOVERNMENT Single-party dictatorship ©Alamy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

400,000

1.5

Agnostics

14,869,170

57.2

Atheists

3,933,747

15.1

Others

3,289,819

12.7

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source1

Communist since independence in 1945, it quickly became clear that North Korea would not be governed by collective leadership but by one man, Kim Il Sung. Kimilsungism, worship of the ruling family, prevails. Kim Il Sung died in 1994 and was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Il, who was succeeded after his death in 2011 by his son, Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Un holds all the key positions which allows him to control the parliament, government and military. He wants North Korea to be taken seriously and has worked to advance its rocket and nuclear technology, keeping the world aware of its existence. After successfully mastering ballistic and nuclear tests, Kim Jong Un began a diplomatic offensive, meeting with the South Korean, Russian, Chinese and United States (US) presidents. The fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Kim Jong Un five times in 15 months between March 2018 and June 2019 shows that China is most

likely North Korea’s closest and only ally. The first meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting US president took place in Singapore in June 2018, followed by another in Hanoi in February 2019. Outcomes were minimal. In June 2019, Donald Trump became the first US president to step on North Korean soil since the Korean War. A last-minute meeting took place between President Trump, Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. After the meeting, it was announced that talks would resume concerning North Korea’s nuclear program and the lifting of international sanctions, but there has not yet been a follow-up meeting. After months of denying the presence of any COVID-19 infections in the country, in May 2022, Kim Jong Un finally admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic had arrived in North Korea (Reuters, 18 May 2022), although it was referred to as an unspecific “fever”. He immediately mobilized the armed forces to support the country’s health institutions (notoriously fragile even before the arrival of the pandemic). The risk of serious food shortages has led to fears that a situation could develop reminiscent of the 1990s’ famine, when hundreds of thousands of North Koreans crossed the border to China to find food for survival. However, now that most diplomats and staff of international organizations have left the country, an accurate assessment is impossible. A report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the DPRK from October 2021 stated that starvation has become a real risk because of the tightly-sealed border with China. In theory, women and girls are legally

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) (Adapted according to OD-estimate)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

protected from gender inequality. Rape, trafficking, sexual abuse and domestic violence are illegal. However, violence against women is prevalent. Military service is compulsory for men and women. Kimilsungism is the prescribed national religion. All citizens must attend weekly self-criticism sessions and memorize more than 100 pages of ideological material. There is no reliable data on religion. There are followers of Buddhism and Confucianism, whose philosophies are easier to follow internally without anyone noticing. Christianity is seen as a dangerous foreign religion that must be fought against. Christians and their descendants are classed as ‘hostile’. Many Christians fled during the Korean War (1950-1953) and tens of thousands were killed, imprisoned or banished to remote areas. Today’s Christians are either heirs of pre-Korean War Christians or among the tens of thousands who traveled to China during the North Korean famine of the 1990s, where they found faith in Chinese churches. Economically, North Korea is struggling under sanctions. Lifting these sanctions has been the central goal of North Korean diplomacy, and an important economic initiative has been to send migrant workers to other countries. Education is mandatory, and the country reportedly has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Boys and girls are given different curricula, designed according to traditional gender roles. The informal private sector is growing, especially in larger cities. However, in February 2021 the KWP Congress decided to rein in the freewheeling private sector and bring back (more) state control, which will lead to recentralization of economic policy.

Influenced by Confucianism, North Korea developed a social classification system called Songbun, under which every citizen is divided into three classes; the core (28% of society), the wavering (45%) and the hostile (27%). Christians and their descendants are classed as hostile. Women are afforded equality in legislation, but are considered subservient to men. The number of people with internet access is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, and each is carefully selected and supervised. North Korea’s nuclear capability, although debated, causes international tension, especially for neighboring China. The UN Security Council agreed on strong economic sanctions, although there are indications that China has been easing its compliance. Greater cooperation between the North Korean intelligence agency and Chinese police has resulted in increasing numbers of defectors, usually women, being identified and forcibly repatriated. Reports say that North Korean Secret Service agents are infiltrating churches in China. The Chinese government has also been cracking down on Korean citizens in China and ethnic Korean Chinese, which is having an effect on North Korean refugee networks. Open Doors estimates that tens of thousands of Christians are in labor camps. A 2020 UN report highlighted human rights violations against women in these camps, which include sexual violence, forced nudity, rape and forced abortion. Christian men also experience physical violence and maltreatment within labor camps.

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

How the situation varies by region There are no hotspots of violations of religious freedom in North Korea in the classical meaning of the word. Insurgency is unthinkable, and the regime keeps a watchful eye on all citizens. The various forms of prison camps and total control zones can be seen as areas where Christians are facing the most difficulties. Reportedly, Kim Jong Un has expanded the system of prison camps considerably.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The Christians in this category originate from the time before the Korean War (1950 -1953). While many Christians either died in the war or fled to the South, others stayed and they and their descendants (now in the third or fourth generation) make up these communities. Christians are classified under the “hostile” classes of the social system called Songbun and even have two sub-classes of their own, namely class 37 for Protestant Christians and 39 for Catholic Christians. These classes generally apply to those Christians whose parents or grandparents were known to be Christians. For the largest part, they were banished to isolated villages as a punishment for having the wrong Songbun. Only a small percentage of the historical Christian communities were able to hide their faith and form an underground church. Due to the guilt-by-association principle, the descendants of those Christians face insurmountable social and other obstacles and are watched with suspicion. Converts to Christianity These converts come from a Communist or “Kimilsungism” background. Many of them are North Koreans who became Christians during the 1990s, when countless people crossed the border to China during the years of famine and found help in Chinese churches. (Many also crossed the border after the year 2000, but not in such large numbers.) After returning to North Korea, they remained true to their new-found faith and shared the gospel with trustworthy family members and friends.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Communist and post-Communist oppression: Although North Korea is dominated by the personality cult of its leaders, it is still run according to Communist customs and societal control. Religion is seen as dangerous and Christians are part of the hostile class, according to Songbun, the country’s social stratification system. Dictatorial paranoia: The god-like status of the leaders dominates society. Kim Jong Un amended the national oath to shorten references to his father’s and grandfather’s achievements and give extra emphasis to his own. On several occasions in 2020, Kim Jong Un failed to acknowledge his father or grandfather and even skipped visiting their ‘shrines’ on the Day of the Sun, the highest celebration in the country’s calendar. This shows how much he has consolidated his power. The two sources operate so closely together that they almost blend into one. The main perpetrators of both sources are government officials and the Workers’ Party of Korea, followed by citizens and extended family. Continuing speculations about the leader’s health also show the unique position Kim Jong Un holds. The highest goal of the authorities is the survival of the country and its leader. The Workers’ Party has gained importance since Kim Jong Un decided to change the previous ‘’military first’’ policy. As for citizens, neighbors are on the lookout for any suspicious behavior to report to the authorities. Citizens often do not act out of their own convictions, but because of a mix of being constantly brainwashed and fear/intimidation. Even a Christian’s family members have been known to inform on a relative, which leads to a high number of Christians who practice their faith in secret.

Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Tens of thousands of North Korean Christians are in labor camps for their faith, where female prisoners suffer from sexual violence and rape. An estimated 80% of all defectors are women, and many North Korean women who defect to China are subject to human trafficking. Given recently improved North Korea-China relations, cooperation between the North Korean intelligence agency and Chinese police has strengthened, resulting in increased repatriations of North Korean defectors. Furthermore, since 2014, military service is mandatory for females - a notoriously controlling environment, opposed to all religious practice. • • •

Imprisonment by the government Trafficking Violence – sexual

MEN The patriarchal society of North Korea means that state monitoring of the population is especially focused on the male heads of households. All male adults must belong to workplaces allocated by the government. They must confirm their attendance at work and cannot stop working for any private reason. Those with an identifiable Christian connection are consigned to the lowest positions in the military (military service is 10 years for men), in universities and workplaces, and they are denied party membership. Men also suffer maltreatment and physical abuse in labor camps. • •

Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

• • •

Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

North Korea had been No. 1 on the WWL since 2002, with a hiatus in WWL 2022, when the takeover of the government by the Taliban in Afghanistan led to an unprecedented spike in persecution. The pressure in all spheres of life remains at the maximum level, no change has been observed. With the new ‘anti-reactionary thought law’, which may also have been a reaction to the long-denied existence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the number of arrests of Christians and of house churches closed increased again as the government does not seem to have been distracted as much by the pandemic as previously thought. Consequently, the violence score and the overall score increased respectively by 1.3 points.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

Examples of violence in the reporting period For security reasons no details can be published here.

Private life Police and intelligence agents search homes without warning. If they find Christian materials, it is considered a crime against the nation, and the whole family can be banished, imprisoned, or executed. Those who use an unregistered smartphone or radio to access unapproved media are punished. Christians only dare to listen to radio programs at night, hidden under blankets. Citizens are trained to report anyone who might be an enemy of the regime, including family members. Teachers encourage pupils to denounce their parents if they see them behaving contrary to what they have learned. Because of this danger, Christian parents often wait until their children are teenagers before speaking to them about their faith. Family life Baptisms cannot be openly conducted because doing so would result in imprisonment or execution. As we saw in Private Life, sharing faith with one’s children is very risky. Christians will try to share Bible stories disguised as fairy tales. Some North Korean refugees have told us that when a Christian is exposed, if a non-Christian spouse has high-ranking parents, they may attempt to forcibly divorce the couple and eliminate all records of the relationship. Otherwise, the whole family is interrogated and imprisoned due to the guilt-by-association principle. Kimilsungism is the most important subject from nursery to university. Even in a Ph.D. curriculum for a subject such as Nuclear Physics, 30% of the coursework involves the study of Juche ideology. Christianity is portrayed as a subversive ideology from American imperialists; Christians are viewed as traitors to the nation and spies. Community life North Korea applies inminban, the Communist neighborhood watch system. All that happens within a housing unit will be reported to the authorities. Random interrogation by the police or secret service is common for all citizens. One of its purposes is to discover Christians, who are then executed or sent to prison camps or remote mountain areas. The interrogation (and related torture) is one of the main aspects feared by escapees from North Korea, when they are forcefully repatriated, according to one country expert. Those with Christian relatives are closely monitored and prevented from accessing good schools, the army, and the Workers’ Party. All

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

North Koreans must bow to statues on the way to and from work or school and participate in practices such as self-criticism sessions and national ceremonies. National life The new anti-reactionary thought law together with Article 68 of the Constitution states that citizens “have freedom of religious beliefs” but that “no one may use religion as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State and social order.” More important than the constitution or the functioning of the state are the 10 Principles of Monolithic Ideology statutes of the Workers’ Party. These are the governing principles of the NK government and society. Based on the teachings of founding father Kim Il Sung, these rules are shaped to ensure the unwavering loyalty of the body politic to the Supreme Leader (Suryong) and the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP). The national media broadcast anti-Christian content, where Christians are portrayed as evil betrayers of the nation and missionary activities are referred to as “acts of terrorism’’. Christians are arbitrarily arrested and punished without trial. Even foreign Christians who have faced court proceedings have been deprived of equal treatment and held in prolonged arbitrary detention. Church life All church activities are illegal in North Korea except for the services held in Pyongyang’s official churches, which are attended by tourists as “evidence” of North Korea’s freedom of religion. There have been cases where underground church groups were discovered and Christians were sent to camps or killed. Details cannot be published for security reasons. The regime is especially interested in finding leaders, punishing them, and interrogating them about the rest of the network. Tourists entering and leaving North Korea have their luggage checked to make sure they only bring in one Bible for personal use and that they do not leave it there. Import and production of Christian material is banned. According to the 2021 North Korean Human Rights White Paper of the Korean Institution of National Unification (KINU), public executions are becoming more frequent just for possessing a Bible. Distribution of Bibles is more harshly punished than possession. North Koreans cannot leave the country without government permission, which means attending conferences or meeting other Christians abroad cannot happen.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated North Korea has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) North Korea is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are arbitrarily executed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christians are deported to political prison camps, tortured, and forced into a life of hard labor (ICCPR Arts. 7 and 8)

•

Every aspect of a North Korean’s life is constantly monitored and controlled by the state (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christians are not allowed to hold their beliefs and worship, either in public or private (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians are not allowed to gather or meet to worship (ICCPR Art. 21)

•

Christians are categorized as “hostile” and discriminated against on the basis of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

Situation of other religious minorities Although worship of the North Korean leadership in theory leaves no room for religion, followers of Buddhism and Confucianism are known to exist. However, these religions belong to the Asian cultural mindset and can be followed privately. ‘Superstitious activity’ (understood to mean fortune-telling) is banned. However, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have reported an increase in this, for example before planning a wedding or making a business deal. There have also been reports about the violation of the rights of the Falun Gong movement. This pleases the Chinese Government, which is known to crack down heavily on Falun Gong followers.

Open Doors in North Korea Open Doors’ goal has always been to ‘strengthen what remains and is about to die’ (Rev 3:2). This verse is especially applicable for the situation of the North Korean Church. Without our support, many Christians would starve to death. The scope of work focused on in North Korea includes the following:

•

Supplying persecuted North Korean believers through Open Doors networks in China with emergency relief aid (food, medicines, clothes, etc.)

•

Training through radio broadcasting

•

Providing shelter, training, and training materials to North Korean believers in China (who often travel back to NK)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NORTH KOREA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

This brief is a summary of the Full Country Dossier produced annually by World Watch Research (WWR), the research department of Open Doors International. It may be used and distributed free of charge, but please always acknowledge the source as: © 2023 Open Doors International.

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

The Full Country Dossier for this country can be accessed here (password: freedom). The latest update of WWL methodology - as well as the complete WWL 2023 ranking and reports - can be found here (password: freedom).

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

8.7

PRIVATE LIFE

16.5

FAMILY LIFE

16.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

16.6

NATIONAL LIFE

16.6

CHURCH LIFE

16.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Christians in Somalia are under extreme threat. They are explicitly targeted by al-Shabaab operatives, often being killed immediately upon discovery. The violent non-state actor, al-Shabaab, which subscribes to the doctrine of Wahhabism, advocates Sharia law as the basis for all aspects of life in Somalia and has expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country. Christians face violation of their religious freedom from family members and the community. Conversion to Christianity is regarded as a betrayal of family and clan. Even being suspected of being a convert to Christianity means life-threatening danger. Over recent years, the situation has worsened as Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for Christians, especially Christian leaders. In Somaliland, which is considered the better part of the country, those who are suspected are detained on the suspicion of conversion.

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©Alamy

LIS

Somalia

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre POPULATION 16,842,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS Hundreds (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

Hundreds

Source1

Somalia is viewed as a failed state and remains among the poorest and most fragile nations in the world. The years of chaos following the overthrow of President Mohamed Siad Barre’s military regime in 1991 culminated in the rise of Sharia courts and radical Islamic groups like al-Shabaab. The country has become a patchwork of competing radical Islamic groups, clans and clan-based militias, making it extremely difficult to form a stable government.

groups. Daily life is a challenge. If identified, Christian men might have their businesses boycotted, be threatened, tortured or killed. Women also face the threat of death, in addition to sexual violence and/ or forced marriages. It is common for men, as well as women, to be killed if they leave Islam.

How the situation varies by region No area is safe for Christians. However, Christians are most at risk in areas under the control of radical Islamic factions such as al-Shabaab. These are concentrated particularly in the south and south-west, including areas around Kismayo, Jamaamee, Marka, and El Hur. While northern regions like Somaliland and Puntland are more stable than the south, Christians are still at extreme risk of violence.

Culture is patriarchal. Only 30% of children attend school, of which only 40% are girls. The widespread practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) results in many leaving schools due to debilitating scarring and infections. Early marriages also mean girls’ education ending prematurely. The 2012 Constitution denotes Islam as the state religion and gives supremacy to Sharia law. No other religion can be propagated. Almost all (99%) of the population is Sunni Muslim, and Christians are seen as damaging to the culture and regarded as “a high value target” by al-Shabaab and other radical

According to OD-estimate

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMLIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Christians with a Muslim background face the most severe violations of their fundamental rights and are considered a high-value target by al-Shabaab operatives. In the country’s very recent history, converts (or those accused of being converts) have often been killed on the spot when discovered. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Islamic militants operate freely in many regions, and kill Somalis who are suspected of being converts to Christianity. As the country attempts to stabilize and form a legitimate government, political leaders, and government officials tend to be overwhelmingly in favor of a strict interpretation of Sharia law. Clan oppression: Somali society is based around a strong clan identity, which is heavily intertwined with being Muslim. Family members and clan leaders view conversion to Christianity as a betrayal. As such, any Christian who is discovered is at extreme risk of immediate violence. Organized corruption and crime: Criminals profit from the lawlessness in Somalia. They work through a network of illegal trade routes and have strong connections to al-Shabaab. The money these cartels generate are used to buy weapons and fund attacks against Christians and other civilians. Dictatorial paranoia: Christians in the country face pressure from the government. It is the government that implement the laws which limit Christian rights in the country. The government in Somalia (Puntland, Somaliland, and Somalia) are denying Christians their rights.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMALIA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Young female converts to Christianity remain one of the most vulnerable populations. Commonly, a woman suspected of Christianity will be humiliated in public, kept under strict house arrest, raped, abducted, forcibly married to a radical sheikh, or killed. If already married, she will likely be divorced and have her children taken away to ensure that they are raised in an Islamic way. Christian women also suffer when their husbands are imprisoned or killed; many are taken advantage of by male relatives, and the family often ends up impoverished. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to Christian religious materials Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Discrimination / harassment via education Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced to flee town / country Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Somalia is a patriarchal society with high social control. Somali men suspected of conversion to Christianity face extreme violations of their fundamental rights. They are at risk of being verbally abused, physically assaulted, having their businesses taken over, imprisoned, heavily threatened, tortured, abducted, or killed. Men face additional pressure because they are expected to lead their family in religious matters and can consequently be blamed if a family member

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMLIA

converts. Families forcefully send their young men to Islamic rehabilitation centers to be trained as alShabaab militia, including converts. • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to Christian religious materials Enforced religious dress code Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The overall score for Somalia has remained more or less stable at an extreme level, although there was a slight increase of 0.2 in the violence score. Christians in the country risk being killed by radical Islamic militants, and clan leaders, elders, and family members monitor the movements of any suspected Christian convert. In the WWL 2023 reporting period, the political landscape also deteriorated as a result of disagreement between tribal leaders, the government in power, opposition leaders, and even the international community about holding elections. This has resulted in boosting the morale of the radical Islamist groups, as did the take-over of power in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period Due to security concerns, no specific examples are published here.

Private life Owning Christian material is strictly forbidden. If found in possession of a Bible or other printed Christian material, the person is executed with the blessing of their relatives and community. Being suspected of conversion risks severe consequences. Converts must hide their conversion to Christianity even from family members. Family life Somali society assumes children to be Muslim. Raising children as Christian is extremely difficult, and even telling children about Christianity could risk radical members of the clan attacking the child’s parents. All children must attend madrassa and take Islamic classes. Community life Somali society is conservative and Islamic teachings are imposed upon the population. Christian converts from a Muslim background are under constant pressure from members of their community, and monitored. Deviation from “good Muslim behavior” can be reported to groups like al-Shabaab, who carry out violent attacks on Christian groups. National life The Somali government believes that there are no Somali Christians, given that the Constitution forbids conversion from Islam. Freedom of expression is greatly restricted. Church life Christians are not allowed to consider rebuilding churches. An attempt to reopen a Catholic church in Mogadishu was not successful. Another attempt to reopen a Catholic church in Hargeisa was met with public outcry and hostility. There is constant monitoring to see if there are informal places of Christian worship (house churches) operating in the country.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMALIA

International obligations & rights violated Somalia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)* *Somalia has a reservation on CRC Art. 14 protecting children’s freedom of religion or belief. Somalia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christian converts are killed on the spot if their conversion is discovered or merely suspected (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian parents cannot raise their children according to their religious values (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

All Somali are assumed to be Muslim and forbidden to leave Islam (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Women converts are forcibly married and pressured to recant their beliefs (ICCPR Art. 23 and ICESCR Art. 10)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMLIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities No religious groups other than Sunni Islam have any meaningful rights in Somalia. In areas controlled by al-Shabaab, the situation has become so extreme that even Shia Muslims keep a very low profile. Moderate Sunnis are also targeted. Laws in Somalia prohibit the propagation of any religion other than Islam, and prohibit Muslims from converting or leaving Islam. The Constitution also states that all laws must comply with the general principles of Sharia. In this context, any other religion except (Sunni) Islam will experience severe challenges.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Somalia Open Doors has been supporting Somali believers since the 1990s. Our vision is to see followers of Christianity grow to maturity in their faith and have nurturing relationships amid persecution. We seek to achieve that by facilitating discipleship, and equipping Christians to cope with severe persecution.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SOMALIA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

5.9

PRIVATE LIFE

16.7

FAMILY LIFE

16.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

16.7

NATIONAL LIFE

16.7

CHURCH LIFE

16.7

©Alamy Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The church in Yemen is composed mostly of converts from a Muslim background and their children, who need to live out their faith in secret. They face violations of religious freedom from the authorities (including detention and interrogation), family, and from radical Islamic groups who threaten apostates with death. Yemeni tribal identity is heavily entangled with Islamic identity. Therefore, Christians face severe community pressure and violence from their tribe for leaving Islam. Converts to Christianity who are married to Muslims risk forced divorce and loss of custody of their children. Christians are suffering from the general humanitarian crisis in the country, but Yemeni Christians are additionally vulnerable as emergency relief is distributed preferentially through mosques to local Muslims, who discriminate against those not considered to be devout Muslims.

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©Alamy

LIS

Yemen

Quick facts LEADER Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi POPULATION 31,155,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS A few thousand (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT In transition ©Unsplash

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

A few thousand

Source1

In 2014, the Houthis (a Shia Muslim minority from northern Yemen), frustrated by the policies of President Abdrabbuh Hadi’s regime, aligned themselves with the military and took control of the capital, Sana’a. Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia, which then formed a coalition to reinstall him, protect its own border, prevent Yemen from splintering, and counteract the influence of Iran, the Shia regional rival to majority-Sunni Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia expected its air power to quickly defeat the Houthi insurgency, but civil war has dragged on, resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths and 250,000 displaced people. Nearly 80% of the population needs assistance. As is often the case within war zones, minorities are particularly vulnerable, as violent extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda can act with impunity against those they wish to harm. In the interests of security, no WCD breakdown of religions can be published. The Open Doors estimate for the number of Christians is ‘a few thousand’. Over 99% of the population are Muslim and there is also a significant Hindu minority of over 200,000 adherents, most of them migrant workers from India and Nepal. Yemeni culture is majority Arab tribal and overwhelmingly Muslim. Yemeni Christian converts are at great risk of being killed, not just ostracized or expelled, by their families, clans and tribes. Before the

current civil war began in 2015, there were thousands of expatriates, often working in development, who were allowed to worship in registered churches in Aden and Sana’a. Most of these Christians have been forced to leave the country due to the dangerous situation, and some of their churches have been ransacked. As a result of the war, most of the country’s Christians are indigenous converts. There are also large numbers of Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians refugees currently living in Yemen. Converts from Islam risk losing their lives; they may face the death penalty, or radical Muslims are likely to want to kill them if their new faith is discovered.

How the situation varies by region The situation is dangerous for Christians all over Yemen. Some areas are particularly threatening, such as in the south, where there is a strong al-Qaeda presence. Converts from Islam to Christianity have also indicated that there is more pressure in the Shiite Houthi controlled areas in the north (comprising approximately one third of Yemen’s territory) than in areas under the control of the Sunni Hadi government. However, a source connected to migrant Christians of traditional Christian backgrounds has said that they experience less restrictions in Houthi controlled areas than elsewhere. Houthi controlled areas are heavily policed and any dissenting opinion is rigorously repressed and likely to lead to imprisonment and torture.

According to OD-estimate

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Almost all western expats have left the country because of the war, for security reasons. In a combination of racial discrimination and violations of religious freedom, migrant Christians who are left behind face intimidation and discrimination from society and violence from radical Islamic movements. However, because their numbers have declined significantly, and the Church is now mostly made up of native Christians, the expatriate Christian category is currently not scored in the WWL analysis. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity At least 95% of the Yemeni church is made up of converts from Islam. Vulnerability for converts remains very high throughout the country due to traditional family/community/tribal attitudes, the impunity with which radical Islamic groups are able to operate and the refusal of state (or de facto state) authorities to tolerate any form of dissent. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: The Yemeni Constitution declares Islam the state religion and Sharia the source of all legislation. Proselytism is prohibited, and Muslims are forbidden from converting. Islam is a key part of the identity of Yemeni tribes, while militant organizations such as the Houthis, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and IS seek to implement a puritanical form of Islam. They are the main drivers of this Islamic oppression and have actively targeted and killed Christians. Clan oppression: Yemeni society is primarily tribal, with central government authority often playing a secondary role in terms of governance. Islamic identity is intertwined with ethnic identity. In many areas, tribal elders enforce tribal law and custom, which prohibit members from leaving or marrying outside of the tribe, especially to a Christian. Punishment for disobedience can be death or banishment. Dictatorial paranoia: Yemen has been under dictatorship since the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was president until 2012. Within the context of conflict, the survival instinct of warring parties is inevitably strong. Reports in 2018 suggested that, in Houthi controlled areas, increasingly harsh measures were being taken by the Houthi administration against individuals or associations deemed to be a threat by the ruling authority. This has continued and includes members of religious minority communities. Organized corruption and crime: Christians are particularly likely to be victims of crime, since they are often viewed as foreigners and associated with the West. They are vulnerable since the lack of rule of law provides greater impunity to those who commit crimes against them.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Within Yemen’s patriarchal, Islamic context, a female converting to Christianity is considered shameful for her family. Typically, female converts from a Muslim background are denied their telephone and isolated in the home. They might further be physically and mentally abused, raped or even killed to ‘restore the honor’ of the tribe or family. Forced marriage to a strict Muslim is a common solution to bring a young convert into line. Due to strict family monitoring, women have limited access to information about Christianity, resulting in fewer women becoming Christians. • • • • • • • •

Denied access to Christian religious materials Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Life in general in Yemen is tremendously difficult in an ongoing war with no religious freedom. Christian men and boys can be forced to join militias, which impacts their education and future, not just because of the amount of time military service takes from their lives, but also because of the highly-controlled Islamic environment in which training takes place. Male converts to Christianity primarily face pressures in the

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

public sphere; they risk losing their job, being beaten and being imprisoned. Consequently, many Christian men flee the country. • • • • • •

Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Yemen’s score increased by one point compared to WWL 2022. The main reason is an increase in the number of reported violent incidents against Christians, such as opposition and limitations experienced by informal churches. Also, more Christians were being detained for a long time and pressure on converts from Islam to Christianity is at extreme levels in all spheres of life.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period For security reasons, no details can be published here.

Private life All Yemenis are considered Muslims. Converts to Christianity run the risk of honor killing or physical violence if their families or communities discover their faith. Private worship has become particularly risky for Christians in areas controlled by radical Muslims. AQAP and IS control large parts of the country. Family life As Yemeni society is strictly Muslim, there is immense familial pressure against conversion, seen as a shameful insult to the family’s honor. Any Christian ritual or celebration must be held in secret. For Yemeni Christians from a Muslim background with children, there is strong family and societal pressure to ensure that children are brought up according to Islamic norms. There is a high risk of loss of custody if the new faith of their parents is discovered. Disapproving families often seek to ‘correct’ a young convert through an arranged marriage to a conservative Muslim spouse. Further refusal can lead to imprisonment, ‘honor’ killing by family members or an attack by militant Islamic groups.

disadvantage converts from Islam. Even those who executed four nuns in Aden and 12 staff members of a Christian nursing home in 2016 were not investigated. Church life The three official church buildings (all located in Aden, on Yemen’s south coast) which served expatriate Christians or refugees (mainly Ethiopian) have been damaged in the war and are closed. Christians may only meet at secret locations. Distribution of religious materials is forbidden by law and the punishment is severe. Churches that organize humanitarian efforts risk being attacked. This was the case on March 4, 2016, when militants attacked and killed 16 people in an elderly care home in Aden, operated by a Christian charity founded by Mother Theresa.

Community life The ongoing conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis have created exceedingly difficult conditions for Christians in Yemen. New converts whose faith is discovered face pressure to recant. Refusing to recant results in, at best, imprisonment or violence, and, at worst, killing. Communal pressure is more likely in rural villages, where religious leaders are more integrated with families and privacy is more difficult. Christian converts who hide their faith are considered less devout Muslims because they do not (or less often) attend mosque. As a result, they are deprioritized in distribution of food and aid. National life According to Yemen’s criminal code, conversion from Islam to another religion is apostasy, which is a capital offense. In employment, if managers suspect that an employee is Christian, then it is practically impossible for him to receive a promotion. Perpetrators of crimes against Christians, including so-called ‘honor crimes’, are likely to receive impunity, given the weak rule of law in much of Yemen. Tribal justice systems (which are widely applicable) expect the head of the family to carry out punishment. In more official systems, Islamic principles are likely to be applied, which will greatly

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

International obligations & rights violated Yemen has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Yemen is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are pressured by the state and society to recant their conversion (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians suffer from biased distribution of emergency relief because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christian converts, male and female, face divorce and lose custody of their children because of their conversion (ICCPR Art. 23 and CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Distribution of non-Islamic religious material is forbidden by law (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Female Christian converts are forced to house imprisonment and held hostage because of their faith (ICCPR Arts. 9 and 12 and CEDAW Art. 15)

Situation of other religious minorities Other religious minorities facing rights violations in Yemen are Baha’i and Jews. Radical Muslims consider Baha’is to be infidels, and so they are discriminated against. They can be imprisoned and tortured, mostly by Houthi authorities. They also face pressure to recant their faith. The tiny Jewish community, mostly based in the capital, are viewed by Houthi rebels as the enemy. The rebels seek to erase them. The Houthis forced the last three Jewish families out of the country in 2021, leaving only a few behind.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Open Doors in Yemen Open Doors raises prayer support for Christians in Yemen.

©Alamy

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 YEMEN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

12.2

PRIVATE LIFE

14.6

FAMILY LIFE

14.9

COMMUNITY LIFE

15.5

NATIONAL LIFE

15.9

CHURCH LIFE

15.7

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The government has refused to recognize any religious group except the Eritrean Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches, and Sunni Islam. Christians belonging to unrecognized churches (not Protestants, since Evangelical Lutherans are Protestant, yet recognized) face serious problems accessing community resources, especially social services provided by the state. Young people are forced to join the military, and Christians have no right to conscientious objection. Those found practicing their unrecognized religion while doing national service have faced severe punishment. The extreme level of pressure and the very high level of state-sanctioned violence is forcing some Christians to flee the country. Christian converts from a Muslim background and cross-denominational converts from an Orthodox Christian background face rights violations from their families and communities.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Eritrea

Quick facts LEADER President Isaias Afwerki POPULATION 3,662,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 1,709,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©David Stanley

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

1,709,000

46.7

Muslims

1,882,000

51.4

Agnostics

46,300

1.3

Ethno-religionists

22,100

0.6

Source2

Eritrea’s political system is dominated by President Isaias Afwerki, in power since Eritrea’s de jure independence in 1991. His party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), is the only political entity in the country. Its platform is based on the president’s personality cult and Eritrea’s “liberation struggle” against Ethiopia, which lasted from 1961 to 1991. Eritreans are taught to perceive national identity as more important than individual rights and ethnicity. Human rights organizations consider Eritrea one of the most repressive countries in the world. Political protest is not allowed and there are no independent media organizations in the country. Eritrea was previously a federal component of Ethiopia, which provoked the formation of an Eritrean

liberation movement, overwhelmingly led by Muslims. The Eritrean Orthodox Christians had a strong relationship with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and saw the move by Muslims as dangerous. Some radical Islamic groups regarded Orthodox Christians as a major threat to the cause of independence. Since this time, both are suspicious of each other.

How the situation varies by region Christians are often located in the highlands, while Muslims dominate the lowlands of the country. Islamic oppression exists particularly in the lowlands, both in the western and eastern parts of the country. Christian denominational protectionism is concentrated in the highland areas (the central part of the country).

©David Stanley

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians The number of expatriates is significantly declining due to government pressure. This group experiences difficulties traveling in the country and meeting with other Christians. Historical Christian communities This is the biggest group in the country and includes the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Roman Catholics. These Christians live mainly in the Christian-dominated areas of central and southern Eritrea. They are affected by Islamic oppression as well as government action. Converts to Christianity This category refers either to Christians who have left historical Christian communities (especially the Orthodox Church) to join non-traditional congregations, or to Muslims who have converted to Christianity. The first category can face serious violence, intolerance, and discrimination from the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the latter from Muslim families and society. Non-traditional Christian communities This group faces the harshest persecution in the country. This group consists of Baptist, Evangelical and Pentecostal congregations. They are regarded by the government as agents of the West. Pentecostal communities, in particular, face serious pressure and violence and their rights are regularly violated by government officials and the Eritrean Orthodox Church.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Christian Denominational protectionism: The Eritrean Orthodox Church has a long historical presence in the country and views Christians from a different background, especially Pentecostals, as foreign. The Orthodox, however, are not immune to external pressures such as interference in church affairs, including monitoring of church leaders, violence, intolerance, and discrimination from the government and perpetrators of Islamic oppression. Dictatorial paranoia: Since the 1993 independence referendum, the PFDJ has exercised full control over Eritrea as a unitary party state under the leadership of President Afwerki. The regime goes to great lengths to maintain its grip on power and has arrested, harassed, and killed Christians critical of the regime, often under the pretext of being agents of the West. Islamic oppression: Approximately half of the Eritrean population is Muslim. Of these, almost all are Sunni. In most Muslim-majority areas, Christians, and especially converts, are particularly vulnerable. Conversion is seen as a betrayal of community, family and the Muslim faith. Although there is pressure by radical groups to form an Islamic state, the government’s totalitarianism has played a major role in preventing this from happening. Organized corruption and crime: Eritrea is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. According to the Transparency International report of 2021, Eritrea ranks 161 out of 180 countries. Corruption mainly involves the army, which controls many aspects of life in the country.

©David Stanley

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Female Christians are caught in a pincer of pressure between the Eritrean government and society. Converts face abduction within their community (including bridal abduction), house arrest, forced marriage, forced divorce, and loss of child custody. In Eritrea, women are subjected to obligatory military training and national service, either in the army or in a government department or project. They undergo training at the infamous SAWA military training camps, a highly controlled environment in which every behavior and belief is scrutinized. Hundreds of women also experience gender-based violence in detention centers. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Imprisonment by the government Incarceration by family / house arrest Military against conscience / militia conscription Targeted seduction Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Christian men are subject to obligatory military conscription, which places them in a highly controlled environment. As a result, many young Eritreans seek to escape the country. Everyday life is under scrutiny;

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

phone calls are monitored, bandwidth is kept slow and a network of citizens (usually women) are tasked with spying on their neighbors. Pressure points most specific to Christian men include physical beatings, arrests, imprisonment by government, and being forced to flee. Because most underground church leadership positions are held by men, any arrests cause a leadership vacuum. • • • •

Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Eritrea’s score increased by one point compared to WWL 2022 mainly because of an increase in violence. The average level of pressure for Eritrean Christians remains extreme and unbearable for many in all spheres of life. It is strongest in the National and Church spheres, reflecting government policies that are mainly responsible for exerting pressure.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

At the end of 2021, several Christians were arrested. On 25 December a group of 13 Christians, celebrating Christmas in one of their homes, was arrested and detained in Mai Sirwa prison, outside the capital Asmara and two were taken to Asmara’s 2nd police station.

•

In the new year, 12 Christian college students from Barentu (six male and six female) as well as 13 Christians from Asmara were arrested and detained.

•

In the week of 13 March 2022, Eritrean police arrested 29 Evangelical Christians (Pentecostals) and raided their homes in Asmara (Debubawi Mierab, Maekel) while they were praying. The officers took them to the Mai Sirwa prison.

•

Around 5 September 2022, as reported, Eritrean security forces entered Akrur Medhanealem, a Catholic Church in Akrur, Seghenety, and arrested several young people who were praying there. The security forces also arrested the deacons, the church ministers, and choir during the raid. WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians detained

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

2023

224

100*

2022

100*

This table includes only a few categories of faith-based violence during the reporting period - for full results see the violence section of the Full Country Dossier. Since many incidents go unreported, the numbers must be understood as minimum figures. In cases where it has been impossible to count exactly, a symbolic round figure (10*, 100* or 1000*) is given which in reality could be significantly higher.

Private life Freedom of expression in all its forms is restricted. Christian homes are raided, resulting in arrests and the confiscation of Christian materials. Often, government surveillance continues until authorities can uncover secret cell groups and make mass arrests. This applies to all Christians (even registered ones). Everyday life is under scrutiny; phone calls are monitored, bandwidth is kept slow, and a network of citizens is tasked with spying on their neighbors. Indeed, the level of monitoring has been compared with North Korea (The Economist, 14 Aug 2018). Family life Parental rights are restricted, especially those of nontraditional Christians. To oppose the government is to risk arrest, torture, and the denial of legal protection. Government propaganda in schools and during youth military training often directly contradicts Christian values. The term ‘P’ent’ay’ (Pente) is a pejorative term used to describe Christians who are not members of the Orthodox Tewahedo churches. P’ent’ays and their children face considerable pressure from teachers and fellow students. Children are usually stigmatized,

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

bullied, and even assaulted, especially if their parents are or were imprisoned. Often, family members are forced to flee their country, leaving vulnerable family members behind. Eritrea’s involvement in the war in Tigray, Ethiopia, has also added pressure to families. Forced conscription has intensified, and no resistance is tolerated. Family members are punished for youth who escape. Community life In Eritrea, there are networks of citizens (particularly women who were former freedom fighters and are now representatives of the ruling party) tasked with monitoring the activities of their neighbors. These informers report to public administrators about anyone suspected of hosting underground church meetings. Government monitoring of internet usage and telecommunications forces many Christians to exercise extreme caution, so as not to risk violations. National life The government has made it clear that only four recognized religious groups can operate in the

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

country. It is the government that appoints the Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church and, as happened in 2007, any dissent by a religious leader can lead to removal from the post and arrest. Denial of recognition by the State is taken as enough grounds for local authorities to arrest and intimidate Christians belonging to non-registered fellowships. Punishments can include being sent to one of the prison camps located in remote areas. Upon release from such detention centers, the individual will be ordered to denounce his/her (non-recognized) religion and report to the local police regularly. The government sees civil society and political parties as enemies of the State. Church life All churches are under government surveillance. However, non-recognized churches are the most monitored and obstructed. Leaders are specifically targeted and risk arrest, torture, starvation, and hard labor. Even Orthodox churches are under pressure not to preach anything that might be considered an anti-government message. The government also interferes in the election of religious leaders of recognized churches.

International obligations & rights violated Eritrea has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Eritrea is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are imprisoned in inhumane conditions and subjected to torture (ICCPR Arts. 7 and 10)

•

Eritreans are forced to serve indefinite military and national service in inhumane conditions (ICCPR Art. 8 and ICESCR Art. 11)

•

Christians are arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned without trial (ICCPR Art. 9)

•

Christians from non-registered groups are not allowed to practice their religion (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians from non-registered groups are not allowed to gather or meet to worship (ICCPR Art. 21)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to US IRFR 2021: “Authorities reportedly continued to detain 24 Jehovah’s Witnesses, more than half of whom had been in prison for more than 20 years, for refusing to participate in military service or renounce their faith. At least 20 Muslim protesters reportedly remained in detention following protests in Asmara in October 2017 and March 2018. The government continued to single out Jehovah’s Witnesses for particularly harsh treatment because of their blanket refusal to vote in the 1993 referendum on the country’s independence and subsequent refusal to participate in mandatory national service, for which the government stripped them of their citizenship in 1994. The government continued to detain Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religious prisoners for failure to follow the law or for national security reasons, and continued to deny them citizenship.”

Open Doors in Eritrea Open Doors has been involved in Eritrea through the local church since the 1990s. Our vision is to see a strong Eritrean church that is holistically empowered to support one another, and disciple members so they remain strong in the faith and reach out to others in the face of persecution, through: •

Persecution preparedness

•

Economic empowerment

•

Discipleship

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ERITREA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

9.1

PRIVATE LIFE

15.6

FAMILY LIFE

15.5

COMMUNITY LIFE

15.9

NATIONAL LIFE

16.1

CHURCH LIFE

16.3

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has suffered a civil war. A mixture of tribal groups and radical Islamic groups, supported by different foreign countries, all fight for (oil) wealth and power. The UN-supported Government of National Unity, the latest attempt to restore a central government, tried to organize elections but failed. Since March 2022 both the country’s western and eastern regions have their own prime ministers, with tensions regularly turning violent. Libyan Christians with a Muslim background face intense pressure from their family and community to renounce their faith. Foreigners from other parts of the African continent are also targeted by various Islamic militant groups and organized criminal groups. These groups kidnap Christians and there have been instances in which Christians have been brutally killed. Even when they do not face such a

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Libya

fate, Christians from Sub-Saharan Africa are harassed and subjected to threats from radical Muslims. Christians who publicly express their faith and try to share the Christian faith with others also face the risk of arrest and violent opposition. The absence of a single central government to impose law and order in the country has made the situation for Christians precarious. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is now categorized as “extreme”.

Quick facts LEADER Interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah POPULATION 7,041,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 35,4001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT In transition ©Unsplash

Context Main Religions Number of adherents Percentage Christians

34,600

0.5

Muslims

6,970,000

99.0

Hindus

6,200

0.1

Buddhists

19,300

0.3

Source2

Life in Libya since the toppling of dictator Gaddafi in 2011 has been characterized by civil war. UNrecognized governments supported largely by Islamist groups, centered in the west of the country around the capital Tripoli, are in conflict with a rival government in the east of the country supported by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and his forces. Both factions are supported by foreign backers striving for influence. The battle for Libya has become a showdown between two opposing blocs which divide the Sunni Middle East. On one side is the Turkey-

Qatar axis, which supports political Islam (Islamism). On the other side is the United Arab Emirates-SaudiArabia-Egypt axis, which views political Islamists as an existential threat to their rule and hence supports their opponents. Virtually all Muslims belong to Sunni Islam. The Amazigh (Berber) ethnic minority includes some Ibadi Muslims. There are significant numbers of Christians among subSaharan African and Egyptian migrants. Almost all nonMuslims are foreigners; the number of Libyan Christians from a Muslim background remains very low. Both the transitional Constitutional Declaration (2011) and the 2017 Draft Constitution declare Islam the country’s religion and Sharia law the main source of legislation. The risk of physical assault, including abductions, torture, unlawful killing and sexual assault and rape, is high for Christians. Violent armed groups, pursuing their own interpretation of Islam, are responsible for such attacks and abuses. Christian migrants and refugees in Libya also encounter discrimination from their employers, criminal groups, and fellow inmates in immigration detention centers.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Christians are at risk all over the country, but are especially vulnerable in areas where radical Islamic groups are active. This is particularly the case in the region around Sirte which is notorious for the presence of radical Islamic groups (including elements of IS). To the east, radical Islamist groups are present in both rural and urban areas such as Benghazi.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Christian migrant workers (most of them from subSaharan Africa and Egypt) are allowed to meet in the small number of remaining churches in the west of the country, although many stay away out of fear. Under no circumstances are Libyans allowed to attend these churches. Some expatriate Christians enjoy limited freedom, but constantly face threats of kidnapping and other forms of abuse. SubSaharan African Christians are doubly vulnerable to persecution and discrimination based on race and religion. Christian migrants traveling through Libya on their way to Europe are subject to forms of severe abuse. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity The very small group of Libyan nationals who are Christians keep their faith secret. Libyans are forbidden to attend worship in official churches. The number of Libyan Christians from a Muslim background is very low, but with the appearance of Christian programs on satellite TV and Christian websites in Arabic, interest in Christianity is increasing. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Libya has a deeply Islamic culture, and converts from Islam to Christianity face immense pressure from family and community. Following Gaddafi’s downfall, various radical Islamic groups have gained influence and control in society. At a local level, imams or sheikhs are known to incite hatred against Christians, especially migrants and converts. At the national level, radical Madkhalism Islamic scholars exert influence via both satellite television and the internet. Sharia law is upheld throughout the country. These factors have combined to result in a sharp increase in violence against Christians over the last decade. Clan oppression: Libya’s society is conservative and tribal. Converting from Islam to Christianity is not only seen as a betrayal of Islam, but of family and tribe. Additionally, due to issues of ethnicity and racism, migrants from sub-Saharan countries are fiercely discriminated against. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption is common, exacerbated by a lack of rule of law and impunity. This source is blended with Islamic oppression, since some Islamic militant groups work with or act as organized criminal groups and engage in human trafficking and other criminal activities. These groups have been known to engage in rape, take hostages and trade in slaves.

©Pexels

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Women have a lower position within Libyan family life than men, caused by tribal norms corresponding to Sharia. If suspected of being interested in Christianity, a woman can face house arrest, sexual assault, forced marriage, or even death. Women who experience sexual violence because of their faith, sometimes as a form of punishment, encounter social and cultural barriers to the prosecution of any offense. Christian migrant women crossing Libya are also vulnerable to abduction and trafficking, especially when separated from their male companions, such as in migrant detention centers.

MEN In general, men face high risks of physical violence in Libya due to an ongoing cycle of violence, atrocities, and impunity. Libyan Christian men from a Muslim background in particular face loss of employment, physical and mental abuse, and eviction from their family home. Forced labor and slavery are widespread for sub-Saharan men who have migrated to Libya, including Christians. Libyan men and boys have been increasingly forced to fight in militias, causing many to flee their hometowns to evade such a fate. Migrant Christians in detention camps are also forcibly recruited.

• •

• • • • •

• • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites Denied access to social community / networks Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Trafficking Violence – death Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

• • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home – expulsion Imprisonment by the government Military/militia conscription / service against conscience Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Libya’s score dropped by three points compared to WWL 2022. This was mainly caused by a decrease in reported violence, although the violence score is still categorized as very high. The scores in all spheres of life remain at extreme levels. Although the country stabilized to a certain extent and saw less direct conflict during the WWL 2023 reporting period, the overall vulnerability of Christians in the country remains extremely high.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Several church buildings and other places of Christian worship, mostly belonging to Sub-Saharan African Christians, were attacked and demolished or damaged.

•

Several Sub-Saharan African Christians were kidnapped for ransom.

•

Several Christian migrants held in detention centers in Libya (mostly from Sub-Saharan African countries) have reportedly been raped and beaten.

•

One Christian from a Muslim background received a death sentence. WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians abducted

Christians physically and mentally abused

2023

200

2022

10*

100*

Private life Christians in Libya hardly have the courage to inform others about their faith because of the danger from relatives, society, and radical Islamic groups. While proselytization is not explicitly prohibited, “instigating division” and “insulting Islam” is. Discussing one’s Christian faith with a Muslim could be interpreted as an act of evangelism. Family life Religious education is based on Islamic principles. Almost all expatriate Christians have left the country, and the main group of Christians currently consists of sub-Saharan migrants and some Egyptian Copts. Their children, if they go to school, must attend Islamic instruction and are vulnerable to harassment.

and government officials. Sub-Saharan Christians are especially vulnerable in this regard. Foreign Christians must be careful not to cause provocation by criticizing the government in any way. Even the few registered church buildings are careful not to have religious symbols outside their buildings, since the public display of Christian symbols is considered an indirect form of proselytization. It can attract serious punishment from the authorities and even public lynching. Church life Depending on the region, migrants can gather in churches, but face serious security risks. To bring Arabic Christian literature and Bibles into the country remains strictly forbidden. Proselytizing or missionary activity among Muslims is officially prohibited.

Community life The majority of Libyans are of Arab or Berber descent. Many Christians are sub-Saharan expatriates seeking better economic opportunities. They face discrimination due to both their religion and race. National life Converts can be harmed or killed with impunity when attacks are carried out by family members, it can be considered a matter of family honor. Other Christians can be killed with impunity by both radical groups

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

International obligations & rights violated Libya has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Libya is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christians are targeted and killed by extremist groups on the basis of their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christians are harassed and targeted for wearing religious symbols (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian converts are tortured and pressured to recant their conversion from Islam (ICCPR Arts. 7 and 18)

•

Christians are arrested and detained on blasphemy charges for sharing Christian material online (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Ibadi and Sufi Muslims in Libya who do not belong to the Sunni Islamic traditions face violations in the form of violent attacks by Sunni militant groups. They also face general discrimination in society. In addition, atheists and those who openly question Sunni Islamic doctrine are very much at risk.

Open Doors in Libya Open Doors raises prayer for believers in Libya.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LIBYA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

16.7

PRIVATE LIFE

13.8

FAMILY LIFE

13.8

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.6

NATIONAL LIFE

14.8

CHURCH LIFE

14.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Christians suffer from a suffocating combination of Islamic oppression, ethno-religious hostility, dictatorial paranoia and organized corruption and crime. The government has failed to prevent an increase in Islamic militant violence, much of which takes place in the north, in the form of attacks by Boko Haram and their splinter group ISWAP (Islamic State in West Africa Province), as well as by Fulani militants and other armed bandits. Such violence often causes loss of life, physical injury, rape, abduction, loss of property, and destruction of farmlands. Christians are especially affected and are being dispossessed of their land and means of livelihood. Many live as internally displaced people (IDPs) or refugees. Christians in northern Nigeria, especially in the Sharia states, face discrimination and exclusion as second-class citizens. Christians with a Muslim background also face rejection from their own families,

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Nigeria

pressure to give up Christianity, and often physical violence. In recent years, violence has increased and spilled into southern states, which heightens the sense of insecurity and the level of impunity. President Muhammadu Buhari has increasingly positioned Muslims in the most important government roles, which makes it harder for Christians who have suffered human rights violations to speak out. Attacked Christian communities are often abandoned by the security forces, which are under federal command. Religiously-motivated violence is taking place against a backdrop of climate change and environmental degradation, pushing the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle southwards and putting stress on herderfarmer relationships.

Quick facts LEADER President Muhammadu Buhari POPULATION 216,747,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 100,420,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christians 46.3%, Muslims 46.3% GOVERNMENT Federal Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

100,420,000

46.3

Muslims

100,369,000

46.3

Ethno-religionists

15,217,000

7.0

Agnostics

551,000

0.3

Source2

Having gained independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria’s democratic transition did not occur until 1999, when 16 years of military rule ended. Buhari, from All Progressives Congress (APC), became president in 2015 and was controversially re-elected in February 2019 amid electoral violence and arbitrary rules made by the Electoral Commission in support of President Buhari.

Nigeria has the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa. However, poverty is widespread and 40% of the population live below the poverty line. Northern Nigeria is severely underdeveloped compared to the south. Corruption is rampant and a point of contention is the distribution of revenues received from oil. 18% of girls are married before their 15th birthday. The Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 is Nigeria’s first criminal legislation that recognizes a broad spectrum of violence, particularly against women and girls, but is yet to be adopted by several Sharia-run northern states. (PWAN 2022). Domestic violence within marriages is widespread; in the Islamic northern region, husbands are permitted to discipline their wives so long as no “grievous” bodily harm is caused (CEDAW 2017). Human rights violations are carried out by numerous groups. In the north, Boko Haram has carried out a systematic campaign against the Nigerian state, proclaiming an Islamic caliphate in Borno State in

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

2014. Boko Haram specifically targets Christians, abducting and killing males and abducting, raping and forcibly marrying females as part of the mission to depopulate Christian-dominated territories. Boko Haram leader Shekau died in May 2021, but that has not diminished any activities. Similar violence is carried out by ISWAP, who also pledge allegiance to Islamic State. Fulani militants attack predominantly Christian villages in several northern states, abducting, raping and killing people, destroying buildings and harvests or occupying farmlands. The violence has rapidly expanded further south. Other armed bandits are also responsible for violence in northern states where they rape, kill, kidnap and burn property. Christians are disproportionately affected by these armed bandits, raising the question as to what extent there is an informal alliance between Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani militants, and/ or these armed bandits. In December 2020, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court called for a formal inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity, in which she implicated not only non-state actors but also members of the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF). Under her successor, there has not been ostensible progress to date. Southern Nigeria is predominantly Christian (71% Christian), while Northern Nigeria is predominantly Muslim (25% Christian). The religious divide partly coincides with the ethnic divide. The Hausa-Fulani

in the north are predominantly Muslim, the Igbo in the south-east are mainly Christian, while the Yoruba in the south-west have both a significant Muslim and Christian population. Though according to its Constitution Nigeria is a secular state, for decades the northern ruling elite has discriminated against Christians in favor of Muslims. Since 1999, Sharia law has been established in 12 northern states.

How the situation varies by region The situation has become very problematic for all civilians, particularly Christians. Nigeria has six geopolitical zones. Each zone had its own profile of hostilities against Christians (and others). Violence in the north-east was mainly perpetrated by Boko Haram and ISWAP. In the north-west there were armed bandits. In the north-central, including Kaduna State, there were Fulani militants. Violence is no longer limited to the three northern geopolitical zones, but has already extended into the three southern geopolitical zones. Meanwhile, the circles of influence of these different groups have been increasingly overlapping, apparently including their agendas. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish which violent group is responsible for which acts, and what the specific identity of a certain group is.

Pastor Andrew and his family had to flee from their home in Monguno, located in far northeast of Nigeria, due to attack by Boko Haram.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not scored separately in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities In Nigeria these include the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant denominations such as Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans. These churches face violent attacks against their life and property perpetrated by militant groups and armed bandits and discrimination from the local authorities, especially in the northern states. Violence has also extended into the southern states, as has land grabbing and community intimidation by Fulani militants. Converts to Christianity These are mostly converts from Islam. They are often forced to find refuge in “safe houses” due to the danger of severe persecution and killing. Muslim converts to Christianity from northern Nigeria often have to flee their homes and states to escape being killed or harassed. This is less likely to occur in the south, although it happens to a limited degree in south-western areas. Non-traditional Christian communities The Evangelical and Pentecostal communities now make up a considerable proportion of the Nigerian Church. In the northern states, the Evangelical and Pentecostal communities face discrimination from the local authorities, as well as violent attacks against their life and property by militant groups and armed bandits. Violence against them has also extended into the southern states.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression, Ethno-religious hostility, Dictatorial paranoia, and Organized corruption and crime: There is considerable overlap between the sources of religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The 12 northern states are governed by Sharia law and President Buhari, a Fulani himself, arguably uses his position to appoint Muslims to key positions. This fosters in the whole country a culture of impunity where the fundamental rights of non-Muslims are not upheld and where violations against Christians are not addressed. Non-Christian (especially Muslim) religious leaders have encouraged violations against Christians through intolerant ideology and incitement to violence. Radical Islamists such as Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to target civilians, especially Christians. The same applies for violence committed by Fulani militants. Added to this, there is violence committed by armed bandits. This happens in the northern states and increasingly also in the southern states. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is an ideological pressure group with powerful patrons, including President Buhari. Other perpetrators include citizen mobs committing street violence against Christians, family members (especially in the context of conversion from Islam to Christianity), political parties and organized crime networks.

Pastor Ayuba’s two daughters were kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014. He still awaits the release of his second daughter.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Raids by Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militants and other armed bandits have terrorized Christian communities. Women are raped, sexually enslaved, kidnapped for ransom and killed. Christian girls are abducted by militants and forced into marriages as a depopulating tactic. In addition to being “married”, girls abducted by militants have reportedly been used as suicide bombers or as fighters. When women are raped, their husbands sometimes find it difficult to move past the trauma and may view their wife as tarnished. Women are also vulnerable to sexual violence in IDP camps. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied custody of children Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Forced to flee town / country Targeted seduction Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Christian men and boys are often targeted and killed by actors including Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militants, and other armed bandits. This eliminates the current generation of males, but also guarantees that the birthrate of Christian families will fall. Survivors and young boys face forced inclusion in militant ranks. Christian men have also been strategically marginalized in terms of employment and education. If a man is killed, loses his job, or has his property seized, his dependent family can become impoverished. • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Incarceration by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The violence score was once again at the maximum level. Christians continued to be attacked indiscriminately and brutally in northern Nigeria, and the violence spread to southern Nigeria. The prevalence of militant groups in Nigeria has made life unsafe for Nigerians and Christians in particular. Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militants, and other armed bandits have conducted raids on Christian communities during which people have been killed, maimed, raped, kidnapped for ransom, or forced into sexual slavery. Churches have been closed down, houses and fields destroyed or confiscated. Many people have been forced into internal displacement or have become refugees. In addition to this, there is also the situation of increasing Islamization which has been causing serious pressure on Christians in their everyday lives, especially in the northern parts of the country. Since the government has persisted in its official position of denial of religious persecution, violations of Christians’ rights have been carried out with impunity.

Yana Gana’s daughters are still held captive by Boko Haram.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

12 May 2022: A female Christian student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in the Sokoto State was murdered in cold blood by classmates. It happened on 12 May 2022, following a WhatsApp comment considered to be an insult against Islam (BBC News, 14 May 2022). The stoning and burning of the Christian girl, Deborah Yakubu, at the college gates was also captured on video and shared on social media. Although the mob-killing was condemned by some leading Muslims, riots broke out in Sokoto with armed Muslim protestors demanding the release of the two suspected ringleaders who were arrested by the police and charged with “criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance” (Sahara Reporters, 16 May 2022).

•

5 June 2022: An armed group burst into a Roman Catholic Church, in Owo, Ondo State, during a Pentecost Sunday service, killing worshipers over a period of 20-30 minutes with explosives and gunfire (BBC News, 6 June 2022). Reports put the number of Christians killed at 40, with at least 60 wounded (Pulse NG, 23 June 2022). WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians abducted

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

2023

5014

4726

10,000*

2022

4650

2510

10,000*

Private life Converts to Christianity from Islam in northern Nigeria (including parts of the south) often have to flee to escape being harassed or killed by their family and the community. Anything that reveals their Christian faith is risky. For non-convert Christians, their name can identify their faith. A person’s name can mean life or death during raids by violent Islamic groups. Living in a (mainly) Christian community in the rural areas of many states is also very risky and leads to high levels of fear. The same applies for many Christians living as IDPs in an unsafe environment. Family life Christians face several challenges in family life, especially in the northern states (including parts of the south). Converts from Islam fear discovery of their new faith by their families, which could mean loss of child custody or needing to flee their home. When Christian women are widowed, Muslim relatives sometimes take the children to raise them as Muslims. It is difficult for Christian parents to raise their children in accordance with their faith in IDP camps.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Rabo’s husband was killed in a Boko Haram attack. Today, as a result of Open Door’s support, her children are in school and she owns a restaurant.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Community life In northern Nigeria (including parts of the South), people with an English or biblical name often face discrimination in schools, hospitals and in the workplace. In Muslim-dominated areas, Christians are seen as infidels and harassed. Men may even be detained for having an “immoral hair cut”. Ruling emirs are sometimes complicit in the abductions of Christian girls for forced marriage. Government amenities do not reach Christian communities as much as they ought. In some rural areas, Christians have been denied water and have had to walk for hours to get it. Even in cities, the Christian quarters are sometimes denied amenities such as sanitation services. More is invested in the infrastructure of Muslim-majority areas than in Christian-majority areas. Among IDPs, Christians are often left out of the distribution of relief. National life Easy accusations of blasphemy or insulting the majority religion are forcing Christians to be very careful in discussions with Muslims, as their words can easily be used against them. Christians have been killed on the spot when they were accused of speaking ill of Muhammad or Islam. The case of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State is a clear illustration of this. In general, there is a climate of impunity; those who attack Christians and their properties are hardly ever arrested. However, Christians have served prison sentences for crimes for which a Muslim is easily discharged or not charged at all. At times, Christians are charged in Sharia courts, which have no jurisdiction over them. Their evidence is worth half that of a Muslim. Although the Constitution recognizes the right to freedom of religion or belief, Sharia law (adopted in 12 northern states) supersedes this. The media often reports attacks on Christian communities as “communal clashes”. Muslim-owned media outfits can under-report or distort attacks against Christians by Muslims. Church life In northern Nigeria, churches are destroyed and church leaders (sometimes with their families) are abducted or executed. The same happens to many other Christians. Church activities are monitored, obstructed or hindered. Christians are also denied land for building churches. Openly integrating Muslim converts could provoke violence against the church and its property, so many converts move to safe locations elsewhere in Nigeria. Insecurity has spread to southern Nigeria too. In an atmosphere of chaos and impunity, speaking out against the human rights violations of Christians and other Nigerians is risky.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Nigeria has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Nigeria is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

The state is manifestly failing to protect Nigerian Christians’ fundamental rights (ICCPR Art. 2)

•

Christians are murdered in indiscriminate attacks (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christians women are raped, gang raped, and sexually abused (ICCPR Art. 7)

•

Christian children are forced to adhere to Islamic religious precepts in the northern states (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Converts to Christianity suffer from discrimination and violence in the northern states and several southern states (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 26)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department (IRFR 2021): •

In January, March, and May, protesters marching for the release of Sheikh El Zakzaky, calling themselves the Free Zakzaky movement, clashed with security forces. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Shia Rights Watch stated that government security forces opened fire on Free Zakzaky protesters on May 7. On September 28, Islamic Movement Nigeria (IMN) members and security forces clashed again in Abuja during IMN’s annual march coinciding with the Shia Muslim Arbaeen religious observance.

•

In February, Kano State authorities banned well known Muslim cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara from preaching following complaints from the Kano Ulama Council that his sermons would disturb the peace. In July, after he participated in a televised, three-hour debate in which he expounded on his religious views, Kano State authorities detained Nasiru-Kabara on charges of blasphemy.

•

In June, authorities filed 10 criminal charges against Humanist Association of Nigeria president and former Muslim Mubarak Bala on counts of making statements calculated to cause a breach of public peace by insulting religion. After Bala posted statements on Facebook that state officials in Kano called “inflammatory and disparaging” towards Islam, police arrested him at his home in Kaduna State in April 2020 and transferred him to Kano State, where authorities imprisoned him without charge.

•

In July, authorities detained three visiting Israeli filmmakers for 20 days. They were making a documentary about Nigerian Jews in the south-east region and were suspected of supporting the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group the government outlawed for its stated aims of seeking the separation of the south-east region from the country, the leaders of which professed a connection to Judaism. Authorities released them without charge.

Believers leaving a church service.

Open Doors in Nigeria Open Doors has been involved in Nigeria since the early 1990s. Our programs include training and education, legal assistance to persecuted Christians and churches, trauma counselling and emergency relief.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

16.7

PRIVATE LIFE

13.4

FAMILY LIFE

13.8

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.8

NATIONAL LIFE

14.8

CHURCH LIFE

12.9

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings With independence in 1947, Pakistan officially became a Muslim state and the situation of Christians became more complicated. Historical churches have relative freedom but are heavily monitored and have been targeted for bomb attacks (the last large attack happened in December 2017 in Quetta). Churches more active in outreach and youth work face severe rights violations. All Christians suffer from institutionalized discrimination; occupations seen as low and dirty are reserved for Christians by the authorities, as can be seen in job adverts. Many Christians are poor and can be victims of bonded labor (though Christians also become lawyers, teachers and doctors). The country’s notorious blasphemy laws target religious minorities (including Muslim minorities). A draft bill on forced conversion was rejected by parliament, after religious scholars deemed it “anti-Islamic”. Punjab is the province with the most Christians and also the most persecution, intolerance and discrimination. Girls (many of them under-age) and young women from Christian and Hindu backgrounds continue to be abducted, forcefully married and converted to Islam (more detailed accounts below). Courts frequently accept these marriages and conversions, and all political efforts to change or curb the practice have failed.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Pakistan

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif POPULATION 229,489,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 4,194,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Republic ©Unsplash

Context

disqualify him from holding public office for five years (CNN, 21 October 2022).

Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

4,194,000

1.8

Muslims

221,645,000

96.6

Hindus

2,916,000

1.3

Ethno-religionists

232,000

0.1

Source2

Pakistan has suffered from unstable governments with three prolonged phases of military rule, the most recent ending in 2008. The army is still pulling the strings behind the scenes. Army leaders had been content with Prime Minister Imran Khan taking the blame for the dire economic situation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but their patience came to an end when Khan tried to influence and delay military appointments, such as the Chief of Army Intelligence (ISI) (Reuters, 26 October 2021). On 11 April 2022, a no-confidence motion against Khan passed and Shehbaz Sharif became the new Prime Minister, immediately facing a barrage of challenges. While joining his anti-government convoy in Eastern Pakistan, Imran Khan was shot at and his leg wounded in what he and his supporters called an assassination attempt, blaming the government (Reuters, 4 November 2022). Just days earlier, Pakistan`s election commission had ruled to

According to the constitution, the right to free speech is subject to the restrictions necessary to ensure “the glory of Islam”. Prime Minister Khan acknowledged that Pakistan has official links with Islamic militant groups and gave into their demands on several occasions. Christians are victims of roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations despite being less than 2% of the population. Some Pakistani states permit child marriage and an estimated 21% of girls are married before the age of 18. Despite forced marriage being outlawed in 2011, girls from religious minorities are commonly targeted. An estimated 1,000 honor killings take place each year. 96% of the population is Muslim, of which the majority follow the Sunni tradition. Shiites make up less than 10% and the Ahmadi around 0.2%. Pakistan struggles economically, with 24.3% of the population living below the national poverty line. Pakistan increasingly relies on China’s willingness to invest through its Belt and Road Initiative. Child labor is rampant. Many Christians are day laborers (for example in brick kilns) and Christians have suffered discrimination in receiving medical treatment and emergency relief linked to the COVID-19 crisis. Due to low education rates for girls (exacerbated by early marriage, poverty and pressure from the Taliban

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

who believe girls should not be educated) many women do not work. Business rivals accuse Christian men of blasphemy as a means of destroying their business and reputation. Additionally, Christian men typically occupy lower status jobs and have been referred to as “Chura”, a derogatory word reserved for road sweepers or sewage cleaners meaning “filthy”. Pakistan has the second-highest out-of-school rate in the world, although it is improving. Textbooks portray a biased view of minorities and are heavily influenced by radical Islam. Low state investment in education has led to a growing number of Islamic madrassas. While some madrassas teach core subjects, many simply offer Quran reading and Islamic Studies. These madrassas are not registered nor supervised. Conversion from Islam to another religion is unacceptable. There are regulations for social media issued by the Supreme Court to prevent slander of the courts, army and government. Whilst it acts against certain jihadists, Pakistan works with others to reach its goals in neighboring countries. Jurisdiction over the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is limited and separatist groups carry out attacks in Balochistan. Christians suffer in this volatile security situation and do not have channels for seeking protection. Pakistan has been listed as the sixth most dangerous country in the world to be a woman. Ideologically targeted sexual abuse is directed at religious minorities for sexual predation and as a “conquest” to win the girl over to the majority religion.

How the situation varies by region Since most Christians live in Punjab Province, many incidents of persecution, discrimination and intolerance occur there. However, next to Punjab, the province of Sindh is also notorious for being a hotspot for bonded labor, affecting many Christians as well.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are not forced into isolation, but they cannot attend churches all over the country; their church attendance is mostly limited to the cities. Expatriate Christians face high pressure, but there is only a small number of them. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church and Church of Pakistan (Anglican Church) are examples of this category. As the most visible churches, they increasingly face hostilities which include challenges in getting permits to meet, and abductions or forced conversions of their members. They have to put up with strong control and monitoring. Especially in the cities, buildings and plots of land owned by the historical churches can be preyed upon by developers and authorities. Converts to Christianity Christians with a Muslim background suffer the brunt of religious freedom violations both from radical Islamic groups (who see them as apostates) and from their families, friends and neighbors who see conversion as a shameful act of betrayal. There is also a small community of converts from a Hindu background. Non-traditional Christian communities Evangelical, Baptist and Pentecostal groups have come under closer scrutiny and are frequently harassed and attacked, especially when they are active in outreach among Muslims, although most of their growth comes from Christians transferring from the historical churches.

©Pexels

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression blended with Ethno-religious hostility: Pakistan is home to dozens of radical Islamic groups. Increasingly, advisory bodies to the government are completely made up of Islamic scholars who influence the laws. Thousands of madrassas are being run without government scrutiny on how they are funded or what they are teaching. Anyone calling for reform of blasphemy laws is openly threatened by radicals who believe ‘’infidels’’ deserve death. Banned radical groups often do not dissolve but rebrand, go online or merge with an existing group. The recent take-over of government power by the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan has been welcomed by politicians in Pakistan. However, the government soon found the Taliban are not as easy to control as they thought. Radical forces seem to become an even stronger factor in Pakistani politics. Pakistan suffers from ethnic fragmentation. Baluchistan Province and the central Sindh regions are considered beyond the reach of the state authorities. Religious minorities are seen as impure both for religious reasons and because they do not belong to the ruling ethnic groups. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption in politics, the justice system and the military is rampant. Organized crime is a big problem in urban and tribal areas and is frequently connected to violent Islamic militancy. In Karachi, gangs, extortionists and mafia are all part of the landscape and enjoy political patronage due to influential connections. Bonded labor is an old but still widespread form of slavery, affecting thousands of Christians in rural areas. Laborers become trapped, unable to repay their loans due to high interest rates. They have no legal way of registering complaints. Rich landlords collude with local politicians, benefitting greatly from this system. Land-grabbing also takes place; churches are expropriated and Christians chased away from their land. Dictatorial paranoia: The government has to contend with strong opposition by ousted Prime Minister Khan and the masses he is able to mobilize. The government also faces corruption charges, increasingly assertive radical groups and a powerful independent army, with whom it must remain on good terms. Christians become political pawns. They can be courted by the government and army to stay in power or discriminated against if that is beneficial. Since the army wants to please some radical groups, the targeting of Christians, while not army policy, is considered necessary collateral damage.

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Reports indicate that each year hundreds of Christian girls are abducted, raped, forced to convert and “marry” their abductor. Such “marriages” are used to place the under-age girls beyond other means of legal recourse available to their parents. This is a widely utilized and strategically targeted pressure point against minority faith communities. Many families never see their girls again, and the authorities rarely take action to bring perpetrators to justice. Women and girls are also at risk of sexual violence in the public sphere, including in workplaces and schools. • • • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced marriage Targeted seduction Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Christian men live in constant fear of blasphemy allegations, destruction of property, imprisonment, beatings and execution. There are reports of Christian boys being subject to sexual abuse. Christian men are often compelled to take lower status jobs and are considered impure. They are often referred to as “Chura”, a derogatory word meaning “filthy”. While there is also a Christian middle class and not all hold lower status jobs, discrimination and social inferiority are ubiquitous. Men and boys might also be trapped in cycles of bonded labor, typically in brick-kiln factories. • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work/job/business

• • • • • • •

False charges Imprisonment by the government Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The very high and extremely high scores for pressure in the individual spheres of life only decreased by a mere 0.8 points. This confirms Pakistan as one of the countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. The violence score has stayed at the maximum level for many years now. Although since the Quetta attacks in December 2017, there have been no major attacks against churches or gatherings of Christians, Pakistan continues to score the maximum for killings and attacks against church buildings. The country’s notorious blasphemy laws continue to claim their victims as well; whoever plays even with the thought of changing those laws, plays with their life.

©Pexels

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

August 2022: 65-year-old Christian William Masih was killed and three Christian teenagers were wounded in a drive-by shooting at a playground at the Christian colony in Mastung, Balochistan province (UCA News, 10 August 2022).

•

January 2022: Reverend William Siraj was killed in an ambush after he drove home from a church service in Peshawar. Another pastor was wounded (DW, 30 January 2022).

•

A forced conversion bill stalled in parliament, although research showed an increase of 177% of such cases against religious minorities in 2020 (UCA News, 18 October 2021).

•

The cases of 12 year-old Meerab Abbas (The Christian Post, 16 November 2021), 14 year-old Mahnoor Ashraf (Morning Star News, 14 January 2022), three other girls (Agenzia fides, 15 January 2022) as well as Saba Masih (Morning Star News, 27 May 2022) show that kidnapping and forced conversion is a continuing pattern. The pattern is also beginning to be recognized by the media (Vice News, 30 November 2020).

WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians abducted

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to marry

2023

10*

2022

620

100*

1000*

Private life Christians avoid talking about their faith with Muslims because blasphemy laws can mean dangerous consequences. Even Facebook posts can be risky if the content is seen as challenging Islamic values. It is dangerous for Pakistani Christians to keep Christian materials beyond their immediate personal use as they could be suspected of evangelizing Muslims. Displaying a Christian symbol or having a Christian name can trigger discrimination or vandalism of property. Reports of Christians wearing a cross, being spat at or targeted aggressively in the street, in traffic or at a workplace, are indicators that the situation is becoming more difficult. Family life In small towns and remote villages, Christian children have to attend Islamic teaching at the local madrassa while Christian teaching is restricted to Sunday services. Christian parents will try to prevent their children from speaking about their faith since they could be pressured to “come back” to Islam. Christian parents are visited to pressure them into sending their children to Islamic events and teaching them

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Arabic on the pretence of bettering their grades. This confuses children and makes them vulnerable to forced conversion. At school, Christian children are often not allowed to use the same water fountain as their Muslim classmates to avoid “defiling” the drinking water. Children are often bullied, and many are asked to clean the latrines or sweep the floor as Christians are commonly perceived as being sweepers. This attitude also has its background in caste considerations since the majority of Christians come from lower caste backgrounds. Some schoolbooks incite hatred against Christians. The new school curriculum further Islamizes education and educates children that adherents of other religions are inferior. This policy is harming Christian families. Community life Christians are monitored by the State and increasingly by non-state actors. Even expatriate Christians are called by the local panchayat (village council) to explain why they believe in Christ and to accept Islam. During the COVID-19 crisis, there was a campaign by radical Islamists to force conversions using food rations, which would be given to Christians who

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

recited the Islamic creed (many young people did this, while others starved to death or committed suicide). At the same time, Christian nurses were asked to work at the forefront of infection wards. In workplaces, the pressure against Christians is often so great that they have to change jobs multiple times to avoid being made to convert to Islam. Christians are frequently forced to do menial work like sweeping or carrying water. A very good illustration is the 5% quota, which had been introduced to guarantee jobs for minorities in the government sector. Out of the total vacant posts, a huge 43% were reserved for minorities. In absolute numbers, there were more than 30,000 positions for minorities vacant at the end of September 2021. Christians are seen as unclean, so their use of shared facilities is thought to defile Muslims, a heritage of the caste system. National life Pakistan adopted an Islamic Constitution in 1973 and Sharia law in its civil code. The recent Islamization process began with the 1986 introduction of blasphemy laws, which affect minorities and are often used for settling personal scores. Christians are under-represented in the political arena and their views are often ignored. Politicians deny that it is necessary to protect religious minority girls from abductions and forced conversion/ marriage. Church life Church activities are monitored. Security guards are provided by the authorities but they also listen, report and likely pass intelligence on to radical Islamic groups. Despite the State’s promise to protect churches, there have been several attacks with dozens of victims. Church leaders are primary targets for harassment as they are the most visible representatives of the Christian minority. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is strongly opposed so it would be dangerous for a church to openly include converts. Advocacy for oppressed minorities is seen as a challenge to the government.

International obligations & rights violated Pakistan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Pakistan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are pressured by their community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian women and girls are abducted, raped and gang-raped (ICCPR Art. 7)

•

Christian girls are forced to marry their abductor and converted by force (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Christian girls are trafficked into slave labor and sex trade (CRC Art. 34 and ICCPR Art. 8)

•

Christians are falsely accused, charged of blasphemy and sentenced to death (ICCPR Art. 19)

•

Christians are assumed to take jobs that are considered “dishonorable” and “low” because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26 and ICESCR Art 11)

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Situation of other religious minorities Religious minorities are extremely vulnerable. Ahmadis are considered non-Muslim and have been denied ID cards and forced to sign documents declaring the finality of the Prophet Mohammed, which goes against their belief. More than 170 Ahmadi graves and several houses of worship were desecrated. Meanwhile, after the spokesperson of Indian ruling party BJP made controversial statements about the Prophet Muhammad in June 2022, a Hindu temple in Karachi was destroyed (USCIRF, Country Update Pakistan, 5 August 2022). Armed sectarian groups target Shia Muslims, including the Hazara community. There is no provision in the law for atheists, who are targeted by blasphemy laws. Hindu females suffer from abductions and forced conversions.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Pakistan Open Doors is active in Persian Gulf countries through the ALIVE network of partner churches. Because of the sensitive nature of our work, and the increasing risks faced by our partners and beneficiaries, we cannot provide more specific information.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 PAKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

10.7

PRIVATE LIFE

14.5

FAMILY LIFE

14.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.8

NATIONAL LIFE

15.8

CHURCH LIFE

16.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts from Islam to Christianity bear the brunt of religious freedom violations, carried out by the government in particular and to a lesser extent by society and the converts’ families. The government sees Iranian Christians as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran. Leaders of Christian convert groups, as well as common members and Christians of other denominational backgrounds supporting them, have been arrested, prosecuted and have received long prison sentences for “crimes against national security”. The historical communities of Armenian and Assyrian Christians are recognized and protected by the State, but are treated as second-class citizens. They suffer from legalized discrimination, including being denied the use of Persian for any religious activity or Christian material. Being Muslim is a requirement for most jobs, especially in the government. In addition, historical Christian communities are not allowed to contact Muslim-background Christians (speaking Persian) or have them attend church services.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Iran

Quick facts LEADER Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei POPULATION 86,023,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 1,245,000 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Theocratic Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

1,245,000

1.4

Muslims

84,136,707

97.8

Baha’is

251,157

0.3

Agnostics

241,230

0.3

Source1

Iran became an Islamic Republic when the Shah was removed in the 1979 Revolution and Shia Islamic clerics took control, banning Western influence (which they see as Christian) from their country. Today, the most senior and influential cleric is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The withdrawal of the USA from the Iran Deal (officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) in 2018 led to the reinstatement of sanctions. This resulted in the Iranian currency (rial) to fall in value and a significant deterioration of the Iranian economy. Increasing tensions led to Iran breaching the terms of its agreement and a shadow war which saw Iran’s most influential military commander, Major General Qasem Soleimani, being assassinated by the USA in January 2020, among other incidents. The current USA government is willing to return to the JCPOA, but as of September 2022 Iran’s position is still unclear. This is partly due to domestic politics, in which there is a division between the Islamic left (Reformists) and the Islamic right (Principlists), with the Pragmatists in the middle. However, it is Supreme Leader Khamenei,

a Principlist, who pulls all political strings. He appoints the Guardian Council, which has veto power on all parliamentary legislation and also vets all candidates for political positions, including the parliament. For years, thousands of Reformists candidates have been rejected by the Guardian Council, resulting in opposition boycotts of the latest elections. Hence, after repressing all opposition, the Principlists managed to win both the parliamentary elections in February 2020 and the presidential elections in June 2021. Newly elected hardline president Ebrahim Raisi was previously the head of the Iranian judiciary and is known for his role in the execution of thousands of Iranian dissidents. With the Principlists now dominating all state institutions, it has become less likely that Iran will return to the JCPOA. Protests have been brutally repressed and dozens of human rights defenders and activists given long prison sentences. The government monitors internet, censors content or slows connection speed to contain discontent and protests. Those found opposing the regime are likely to be arrested and imprisoned. Iran is one of the world’s most repressive countries for journalists; journalists are harassed, arbitrarily arrested, tried unfairly and given long jail sentences. Iran is one of just six UN states not to have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Women are, in general, more economically vulnerable, due to low education rates, poverty and early marriage. Under Sharia, daughters typically receive half the inheritance that sons receive. Iran has alliances with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. The threat of attack by violent Islamic militants in Iran is high, since Iran has fought against the Sunni Islamic State group and oppresses Sunnis on its soil. Officially, most Iranians follow the official state religion: Shia Islam, with a significant minority (10%) following Sunni Islam. However, recent research found that only around 32% of the Iranians still call themselves Shia adherents. Iran’s Constitution recognizes four religious groups: Muslims, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians. Iranians must declare to be one of these in order to claim legal rights, including entrance to university. Everyone who is not Shia Muslim experiences discrimination and limitations, and even some Shia Sufi groups are put under pressure by the government. Unrecognized minorities (converts to Christianity, Bahá’i, Dervish and non-believers) experience serious violations.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) (Adapted according to OD-estimate)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Government control is highest in urban areas, while rural areas are less monitored. However, the anonymity of urban areas gives Christians more freedom to organize meetings and activities than in rural areas, in which social control is higher.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This group consists of Christian expatriates from the Far East (e.g., Philippines, South Korea) and the West, many of whom have a Catholic, Lutheran, or Presbyterian background. Of the small number of churches, some expatriate churches have been forced to shut down after local converts with an Islamic background started attending. Joint annual prayer meetings between church leaders of different denominations were also cancelled in the past due to pressure from Iran’s security apparatus. It is absolutely forbidden for expatriate Christians to interact with Iranian converts from Islam to Christianity, let alone welcome them into their church communities. Historical Christian communities Historical ethnic Christian minorities such as the Armenian and Assyrian Christians are relatively free to practice their belief. They are allowed to preach to fellow countrymen in their own language, but it is forbidden to minister to people with a Muslim background (speaking Persian) or have them attend church services. Although formally recognized and

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

protected by law, they are treated as second-class citizens and face legal and societal discrimination. Besides this, they will face imprisonment if they do reach out to Muslims. Converts to Christianity Converts from Islam to Christianity constitute the largest category in the country. They bear the brunt of persecution carried out by the government, and to a lesser extent by their (extended) families and society. Baptism is seen as a public declaration of one’s denunciation of Islam and is therefore forbidden. Also, children born to converts from Islam to Christianity are automatically registered as Muslims, since their parents cannot change their religious affiliation. Previously, the leaders of Christian convert groups were arrested, prosecuted and received long prison terms for crimes against national security. However, an increasing number of non-leaders have received similar charges too, as well as Christians of other denominations supporting them. There is also a growing community of Iranian Christian converts worldwide, as over the years many converts have fled the country and other Iranians have become Christians abroad. Non-traditional Christian communities Although it is difficult to make a sharp distinction between this category and the communities of converts, there are Christians belonging to Evangelical, Baptist, and Pentecostal communities. They often have an Armenian, Assyrian, Jewish, or a Zoroastrian background. Others include the children and grandchildren of converts from Islam. They face the same severe persecution from the government and are discriminated against by society, especially if they engage in any evangelistic or house-church activities.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: All laws must be consistent with Sharia law. A Guardian Council, appointed by Supreme Leader ayatollah Khamenei and consisting of Shia scholars and clerics, reviews all legislation as well as candidates for the highest public appointments e.g., the presidency and parliament. Ethnic Persians are considered Muslim, so converts to Christianity are seen as apostates. This makes almost all Christian activity illegal, especially in the Persian language. Local Muslim clerics sometimes incite violence against religious minority groups. Iranian society is less fanatical than its leadership due to the widespread influence of moderate Sufi Islam as well as the pride of the Iranian people in pre-Islamic Persian culture. Nevertheless, religious families, including those of other ethnic minority groups, often put pressure on family members converting from Islam to Christianity. Dictatorial paranoia: The regime aims to protect the values of the 1979 Revolution, from which it derives its legitimacy. Christianity is viewed as a dangerous Western influence and threat to the Islamic identity of Iran. This explains why especially converts from Islam are convicted of crimes against national security. In addition, the violent repression of all opposition shows that the regime above all cares about keeping its power base. Organized corruption and crime: Imprisoned Christians, especially converts, are regularly offered release on bail. This often involves large amounts of money – reportedly varying between 2,000 and 150,000 USD – forcing Christians or their families to hand over title deeds to homes and sometimes businesses. Persons released on bail often silence themselves due to fear of losing their family’s property. The Iranian regime puts pressure on them to leave the country and forfeit their bail. It is assumed that government officials use the bail system to get rich and financially ruin Christians. Clan oppression: Iran has an honor and shame culture, especially present in rural areas. In addition, the population is multi-cultural, with some ethnic groups having strong group identities. Conversion to Christianity is often seen as betrayal of the group and bringing shame to the family. This can lead to additional pressure on converts to Christianity. Christian denominational protectionism: The Iranian authorities like to highlight the presence of representatives of the Armenian and Assyrian churches in the media and in international settings to portray a positive impression of the country’s religious tolerance. These church representatives make public statements about “the freedom all Christians enjoy”, while in fact just a small section of the Christian community enjoys a very limited level of freedom. These statements are often used to delegitimize other Christian denominations (mostly Protestant converts from a Muslim background) who do not conform to the government’s restrictions and who want to exercise their religious freedom to a greater degree.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN With many churches forced to shut down and Christians increasingly isolated, some Christian women, particularly Muslim background converts, are forced to marry Muslims. Pressured by family and local community; single Christian women seeking employment will be viewed unfavorably in the marketplace. If already married, her children can be taken away to ensure they are raised as Muslims. Within marriages, Christian women are unprotected against sexual abuse and domestic violence; this lack of legal protection creates impunity for perpetrators of violent religious persecution of Christian women in private and public spheres. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Imprisonment by the government Incarceration by family / house arrest Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Men, particularly pastors, are more likely to be arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for lengthy periods. They are usually the primary providers for their families. When converting to Christianity, men risk losing their jobs. If they apply for a business registration or permit and the officer discovers their faith, the application is likely to be refused. This puts extra financial and psychological pressure on their families. Men also

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

face monitoring, threats and harassment. In contrast to women, male converts are not seen as “misguided”, but as wilfully making wrong choices. • • • • •

Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Average pressure remains at an extremely high level in Iran. The one-point increase in score was mainly caused by an increase in reported violent incidents, including an abduction. The outlook for Iranian Christians, in particular converts from Islam to Christianity, is by no means improving. The country’s political institutions, including the presidency, are all dominated by hardliners. The amendment and tightening of the penal code in 2021, which is also used to prosecute Christians, is all part of a wider development towards Iran becoming a totalitarian state. State surveillance is on the rise and the authorities are increasingly exerting a firmer grip on daily life and activities, an attitude reflected in the harsh responses to the protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022. The scores in all spheres of life are at an extreme level.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Exorbitant sums for bail demanded: The Iranian regime continued its practice of requiring exorbitant sums for releasing detained Christians on bail. In recent years, several Christians had to pay high amounts for bail (see for example: Article 18, 4 October 2021, Article Eighteen, 10 May 2022, Article Eighteen, 7 June 2022, Article Eighteen, 29 June 2022, Article Eighteen, 11 July 2022). It is believed that the Iranian regime requires such high sums of money for bail in order to financially bankrupt Christians and to enrich high officials (The Guardian, 28 November 2016, Iran Focus, 15 June 2020). Instead of imprisoning them, the Iranian regime severely threatens Christians after their release, forcing them to flee the country, thus forfeiting their bail. Many Iranian Christians have had to sell their (business) properties or hand over their title deeds to be able to pay; those who do not have the financial means often remain imprisoned.

•

House churches being raided: The regime continued its practice of raiding house churches. Many of the Christians caught during such raids are forced to sign declarations to refrain from further contact with other Christians, which forces them into isolation. Others are being prosecuted and sentenced. Many Iranian Christians decide to flee the country after they have appeared on the government’s radar.

•

Recognized Christians do not have religious freedom: Although officially recognized in the country’s constitution, even the historical Armenian and Assyrian Christians do not have religious freedom, as claimed by the regime. Also, this year, at least two Armenian Christians received prison sentences for their Christian activities (Article Eighteen, 8 September 2022).

WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023 2022

48 49

212 114

100* 90

1000* 1000*

Private life It is risky for Christians, especially converts, to express their faith publicly (e.g., in blogs or on social media) since the internet is monitored and this can be used as evidence prior to an arrest. Sharing Christian messages (especially in Persian) can be interpreted as an act of proselytization. Accessing online Christian materials and contacting foreign Christians are risky activities, and possessing Christian materials in Persian – especially in significant quantities – suggests they are for distribution to Muslim background Iranians. Meetings involving converts from an Islamic background are monitored and frequently raided. Family life Christians cannot adopt Muslim children, but Armenians and Assyrians have their own orphanages from where they can adopt. The children of converts are automatically registered as Muslim and must attend Islamic-based education, which has been further

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Islamized since the 1979 Revolution. Even the children of Armenian and Assyrian Christians are forced to take Islamic classes at elementary school. Opposition to this has led to court cases against parents and threats against the children involved. At university level, courses like Islamic history, Quranic teachings and Arabic are mandatory. University application forms require the applicants to indicate their religion. If a Muslim-born individual lists Christianity, he or she will not be accepted. Church leaders, and increasingly church members, are often imprisoned for long periods, which has a traumatic effect on the whole family. According to Article 881 of the Civil Code, a non-Muslim cannot inherit property from a Muslim. Even if only one of the heirs of a non-Muslim is Muslim, that person will receive the entire inheritance. Community life Christians are monitored, especially if they are suspected of running a house church or

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

engaging in evangelism. These Christians will be frequently summoned for interrogation designed to intimidate. Informers in Western countries report back to Iranian intelligence on activities of Iranian Christians abroad. All women in Iran have to cover their heads and wear the hijab. The State controls more than 80% of the economy, and doing business in Iran is dependent on clientelism and cronyism. Historical Christians like the Armenians and Assyrians will face discrimination when doing business, while other types of Christians can rarely conduct business in Iran. National life High positions in the government are reserved for Shia Muslims; Christians are banned from public office, except for three parliamentary seats reserved for Armenian/Assyrian Christians. Criticizing the government can be dangerous. The national media is tightly controlled, and both state officials and imams have criticized Christians (typically referring to Zionism and house churches). Sexual harassment is common, despite it being a violation of the Iranian penal code. Family members can harm converts with impunity. Church life Most church services are monitored by the police, which leads to fear for attendees. Armenian and Assyrian Christians may conduct services in their own languages as long as they do not welcome Muslim background Christians. Armenians and Assyrians also run some state-subsidized schools; however, the headteachers are generally Muslim. Over the past few years, the government has intensified efforts to remove Persian-speaking Christians from Iran by shutting down churches and arresting leaders. Officially, there are hardly any Persian-speaking churches left in the country.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Iran has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Iran is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are arbitrarily arrested, charged for national security crimes, and sentenced without a fair trial (ICCPR Art. 9)

•

Peaceful Christian religious activities are monitored and are regularly disrupted by the state on national security grounds (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 21)

•

Converts to Christianity are persecuted by the state because of their decision to leave Islam (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians from all denominations are monitored by the state, in violation of their right to privacy (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian children are forced to receive Islamic religious education (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians cannot inherit from Muslims and have restricted access to higher education and public employment (ICCPR Art. 26)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Situation of other religious minorities Baha’i, Sunni, Sufi (Dervish) Muslims, and other religious minorities (like the Yarsanis) are also persecuted in Iran. Many dissidents from these groups have been executed – mainly on charges of terrorism (instead of “apostasy”). Ethnic minorities such as the Kurds, Baloch and Iranian Arabs face government suspicion and discrimination as well.

Open Doors in Iran Open Doors is supporting the church in Iran through partners with Christian multimedia initiatives and advocacy.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

4.6

PRIVATE LIFE

15.4

FAMILY LIFE

15.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

15.4

NATIONAL LIFE

16.1

CHURCH LIFE

16.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Almost all Afghan Christians are converts from Islam and are not able to practice their faith openly. Leaving Islam is considered shameful and punishable by death under the prevailing Islamic law. If exposed, Christian converts have to flee the country. The family, clan or tribe must save wits “honor” and deal with any known convert. After the Taliban took over government control on 15 August 2021, most Christians tried to leave the country and/or went into hiding. The take-over proved to be a game-changer especially for women, who are confined to the walls of their homes once again, but also for ethnic and religious minorities, including Christian converts, who are seen as apostates. As the Taliban consolidates power, despite appearing to be far from unified, Christian converts have to adapt and conform to the rigid form of society implemented.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Afghanistan

Quick facts LEADER Hibatullah Akhundzada (interim Taliban government) POPULATION 40,754,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS Thousands (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ©Alamy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

Thousands

Source1

Afghanistan has not known peace for more than 40 years. This has left the infrastructure, economy, and social fabric in ruins and led to widespread Islamic radicalization, criminal activity, and corruption. The Taliban held power over roughly three quarters of the country from 1996 until 2001. The Taliban are not a unified block; the conservative stream dominates and ideology trumps international recognition. On 15 August 2021, the Taliban took control over the country again and policies implemented so far shows that it is interested in including neither ethnic or religious minorities nor women. Girls’ education from secondary level and upwards has been banned. Many ministers in the government are familiar faces from the first Taliban rule (and are on international terror lists) and most news coming out of the country points to a reprise of their harsh interpretation of Islam. The new government faces unprecedented challenges. While the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on Afghanistan, most people (even more wealthy people) have been struggling with the consequences of the economic collapse in family life.

Afghanistan is extremely poor with 54.5% of the population living below the poverty line. The instability has led many farmers to rely heavily on illicit drugs like opium as a source of income. The most telling example of the changes Afghanistan went through is Kabul. When the Taliban left in 2001, this was a rather small capital with 500,000 inhabitants. Now it is a buzzing city with at least five million people. A strong increase in the numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) and an expected increase in refugees in neighboring countries will add to instability, which is likely to affect the region as well. The UN estimates that 20 million people (almost half the population) are facing acute hunger. The small Christian community faces a difficult future with the Taliban in power and the constant threats of attacks by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP).

How the situation varies by region The Islamic State Khorasan Province, a formidable challenger, not only continues to attack the Taliban but also targets minorities. Generally, control and supervision in rural areas is stricter than in most cities; however, the whole country is strictly Islamic, so Christians face severe difficulties wherever they are discovered by families or authorities.

According to OD-estimate

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are included as a WWL category again as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are beginning to (re-)staff their work in Afghanistan. Due to the moderately improved security, expatriates are not restricted to highly-secured compounds anymore. However, it is impossible for expatriate Christians to mix with other Christians and hence, they are still involuntarily isolated.

Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background try their utmost not to be discovered by family or the wider community. Being discovered is an immediate risk to their lives. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression blended with Dictatorial paranoia: The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan neither allows any Afghan citizens to become Christians nor recognizes converts as such. Conversion is seen as apostasy and brings shame on the family and the Islamic community. Therefore, converts hide their new faith as far as possible. Muslim religious leaders will most likely be the instigators and the local authorities can be involved, too. The Taliban puts an even stronger emphasis on frequent mosque attendance, increasing the role of religious leaders. With power now in the hands of the Taliban, which is more inclined to radical Islamic views, all Afghan citizens (and especially women) face strict limitations in everyday life, inspired by Islamic tenets. Christian converts do not have any space to deviate from the behavior expected from everyone. The extreme violence used by groups related to IS (e.g. Islamic State in the Khorasan Province/ISKP) has translated into a high number of people being killed in attacks or displaced. The Taliban will do whatever it sees necessary to stay in power and keep its own movement unified.

entrenched in caring for their families, villages, and tribes. If someone turns from his tribe to embrace something seen as foreign, this results in high pressure being exerted to ensure that person returns to traditional norms. Additionally, the Christian religion in particular is considered Western and hostile to Afghan culture, society, and Islam. Organized corruption and crime: The majority (80%) of the country’s GDP comes from the informal sector. Corruption and crime are omnipresent. One problem Afghanistan faces is that growing illicit drugs, such as opium, is much more lucrative than virtually any other crop. The income from poppy cultivation funds both armed militant groups and corruption. This particularly affects Christians who tend to be from the low-income majority of society.

Clan oppression blended with Ethno-religious hostility: Conversion from Islam could be perceived as a threat to the predominantly Islamic identity of the country. The collectivistic nature of the Afghan family unit leaves little room for privacy, which means a high risk of discovery and severe compulsion from within the clan structure and wider community. Afghans are deeply

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN The swift Taliban take-over of Afghanistan has thrown the advancement of women’s rights into turmoil. Women have long been viewed as second class citizens, but under Taliban rule face additional pressures. Reflecting the downward trend of women’s rights, girls’ school attendance is restricted and women are barred from the workplace. According to a country expert, Christian women and girls are being targeted and abducted in order to be forcibly married to Taliban fighters, with fathers being forced to give up their daughters at the point of a gun. • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / network Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family/house arrest Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN The Taliban pressurizes men to show that they are good Muslim heads of family by praying five times a day, attending mosques, fasting and wearing a “proper” beard. Christian men face ridicule, imprisonment, torture, sexual abuse and potentially death because of their faith. Men and boys also become targets for militias seeking to coerce them into joining their groups. In light of these pressures, Christian men, particularly converts, choose to keep as low a profile as possible, with some choosing low-level positions in the workplace to avoid unwanted attention. • • • • • •

Denied access to social community/networks Imprisonment by the government Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological; Violence – verbal

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

For many years, Christians in Afghanistan endured the same extreme levels of pressure as in North Korea, although by different means and actors. In terms of scoring for the spheres of life, Afghanistan and North Korea did not differ at all, scoring the maximum for each of the five spheres. However, the take-over of the government by the Taliban changed everything, as this meant that many Christians relocated within the country for security reasons or tried to leave the country. As a result, many (if not all) house-churches closed, Christians had to leave behind everything they owned and the violence score in WWL 2022 increased to an unprecedented level of 15 points. For WWL 2023, it was impossible to obtain concrete evidence of a similar level of violence occurring. As a result, the violence score dropped sharply from 15.0 to 4.6 points. While details are given in the Violence section below, it has to be emphasized here that this does not mean that the country has become safer for Christians. A second change is the return of the expatriate community as a separate category (see explanation in Christian communities); as some questions across the spheres of life are limited to converts, this has led to a decrease in the score for pressure. Again, this does not mean that the situation for converts has improved in any way. The overall score for Afghanistan remains extremely high. This does not mean that each and every Christian in the country is being forced to flee (although each and every Christian will hide his or her faith even more carefully with the Taliban in power); it does not mean that church life is not possible at all or that house-churches cannot meet at all. It also does not suggest that the persecution situation cannot get worse again.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period Due to security concerns, no examples of violence can be published.

Private life Conversion to Christianity is strictly forbidden and harshly punished. The tight-knit tribal social society means social control is high and privacy is difficult to maintain. As a result, converts run a high risk of being discovered. According to a report, the Taliban already enforced cell-phone checks in the regions they controlled before taking over the government of the whole country, in order to make people follow their strict rules. Many Christian converts completely disposed of their cell phones and other devices after the Taliban take-over and relocated to other areas in an effort to hide. Family life The collectivistic nature of the Afghan social system means Christians must exercise extreme caution when practicing their faith as even the suspicion of having converted from Islam can lead to severe consequences like arrest or destruction of homes. There is strong pressure to divorce or nullify a marriage in the case of a Christian spouse. Since the Taliban government requires children to be raised as Muslims, Christian spouses face the loss of custody of their children. Christian converts need to play the role of a Muslim in any aspect of life. Community life With the Taliban take-over, this pressure has grown exponentially. The Open Doors field expert says there is no option for Christian converts other than to “play the role of a Muslim”. This includes following the dress code, attending mosque or growing a beard. If a Christian woman chooses not to wear a headcovering, she will draw unwanted attention and locals will try to manipulate her into wearing one. Christian students have to follow the general curriculum, which puts a strong emphasis on Islam. Christian girls are excluded from education like girls and women in general (although the implementation is not uniform, yet) and with many Christian converts currently relocating, children are often missing from school. It is safer to leave the country or the region as there is a likelihood of great pressure to reconvert back to the original faith. Those who chose to stay end up in serious difficulty, suffer hardship and can be killed. National life The Constitution, now suspended by the Taliban, guaranteed that adherents of other religions are

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

free to exercise their faith. However, Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that no law shall contravene the tenets and provisions of Islam, led to restrictions in many areas. Although the wording was flexible and did not state what may be deemed as inappropriate and against Islam, in practice accusations of conversion were equated with blasphemy and neither Christians nor other religious minorities (including non-Sunni Muslims) enjoyed freedom of religion. Now, the country is back to the direct rule of Sharia law and it is not clear if the Taliban plan to implement a new constitution, yet. All travel by anyone suspected of being a Christian is monitored and often hindered if authorities suspect a journey is being undertaken for faith-based reasons. The Taliban is known for their notoriously strict and frequent searches done through raids. Church life There is no publicly accessible church in Afghanistan. The only functioning chapel is placed in the basement of the Italian embassy in Kabul and only open for the small number of expatriates still working in the city. Christian groups (however small) have to be cautious about how they meet. According to the Open Doors field expert, churches are underground and held in secret. The ceremonies for church just look like a group of people meeting over a meal. All Christian material are hidden. They have to be kept safe from prying eyes lest they are discovered, forcing the people to flee or face serious consequences of violence from the local “jirga” court. There is no way of distributing or selling Bibles and other Christian materials; even sharing electronically can have life-threatening consequences if traced. Open work among young people is not possible since they risk recruitment to fight in the wars against different Taliban/ISIL-K factions. In this kind of conscription race, anyone working openly with the youth is perceived as a competitor for their hearts and minds.

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

International obligations & rights violated Afghanistan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Afghanistan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are killed on suspicion of their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Women converts are forcibly married and forced to recant their beliefs (ICCRP Art. 23.3 and CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Afghans are assumed to be Muslims and are not allowed to change their religion (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians cannot display any religious images or symbols (ICCPR Art. 18 and 19).

•

Children of Christian converts are forced to adhere to Islamic religious precepts and receive Islamic teaching (ICCRP Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), 2022, the year 2021 was particularly difficult for monitoring and reporting religious conditions in Afghanistan. The USCIRF report states: “With the Taliban’s return to power, religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan and the overall human rights situation significantly deteriorated in 2021. Religious minorities faced harassment, detention, and even death due to their faith or beliefs. The one known Jew and most Hindus and Sikhs fled the country. Christian converts, Baha’is, and Ahmadiyya Muslims practiced their faith in hiding due to fear of reprisal and threats from the Taliban. Years of progress toward more equitable access to education and representation of women and girls disappeared. Despite initial statements from the Taliban that they had reformed some elements of their ideology, Afghans who do not adhere to the Taliban’s harsh and strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and adherents of other faiths or beliefs are at risk of grave danger. Reports indicate that the Taliban continue to persecute religious minorities and punish residents in areas under their control in accordance with their extreme interpretation of Islamic law.” Consequently, Afghanistan was recommended for being included on the “Special Watch List”. According to US State Department IRFR 2021 (page 3): “UNAMA reported a resurgence of these attacks against the Shia Hazara group, nearly all for which ISIS-K claimed responsibility.”

©Alamy

Open Doors in Afghanistan Because of the sensitive nature of our work, and the increasing risks faced by our partners and the people they serve, we cannot provide country specific information for countries in the Persian Gulf and beyond. Open Doors is active in the Persian Gulf countries through the ALIVE network of partner churches, but we cannot give details of our work.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 AFGHANISTAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

9.4

PRIVATE LIFE

14.1

FAMILY LIFE

14.2

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.9

NATIONAL LIFE

14.9

CHURCH LIFE

15.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The situation for Christians is currently defined by three things. First, the perception and pledge that the Sudanese government has moved away from the old repressive laws and policies, but with implementation lacking. According to local experts, the international narrative about Sudan is eclipsing reality on the ground. Secondly, communities’ perception of Christians hasn’t changed since the fall of the al-Bashir regime in the country. Christians are afraid of speaking out about their faith for fear of being targeted by radical groups. Converts and ethnic African Christians in particular face severe violations. Finally, the Janjaweed militias are still very active in the country, adding to the levels of pressure and fear.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Sudan

Quick facts LEADER Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan POPULATION 45,992,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 2,000,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

2,000,000

4.3

Muslims

42,334,000

92.0

Ethno-religionists

1,167,000

2.5

Agnostics

415,000

0.9

Source2

Sudan is one of the most complex countries in Africa. Three key events have defined Sudan on the international scene: the Darfur crisis, which led to the indictment of former President al-Bashir and other senior government officials; the civil war, which led to the independence of South Sudan; and the plight of the Nuba people. In 2011, South Sudan became an independent nation. In April 2019, President Omar al-Bashir was ousted, and a new transitional government was established with the aim of paving the way for democracy in the next three to four years. The Transitional Council was led by the army, to transition to civilian leadership until elections were to be held. However, the process was interrupted

when on 25 October 2021, the military performed a coup, leading to weeks of civil unrest. In July 2022, the military leadership indicated that it would step down and allow the civilian government to assume power. Demographically, the country is majority-Muslim and Christians have been systematically persecuted for decades. Under former President al-Bashir, religious police and armed Islamic militias persecuted Christians. The system was so repressive for freedom of religion that Sudan was designated as a country of particular concern by the US state department for over two decades. There are also different armed groups in the country. The change in the government’s policy has not produced change in the attitude in the society. Society at large sees Sudanese national identity as an integral part of Islam.

How the situation varies by region Pressure and violence targeting Christians has always been more intense outside the capital city. In addition to the harassment and threats that Christians face in their daily lives, they are affected more in areas such as Darfur, the Nuba Mountain, and the Blue Nile regions as a result of the armed conflict.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriates are being forced to close their churches. These are groups mainly from western countries and South Sudan. Their churches have been denied registration and many have faced demolition. Some expatriate Christians face arrest and detention without legal due process. Historical Christian communities Christians belonging to historical churches such as the Coptic Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches face violations due to both Islamic oppression and dictatorial paranoia. Former President alBashir had a program of church demolition, which included churches belonging to historical Christian communities. Converts to Christianity This group, which consists mainly of Christians with a Muslim background, experiences the most intense pressure and violence. Non-traditional Christian communities Sudanese Christians who belong to Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal denominations experience violations in the form of Islamic oppression and dictatorial paranoia. This group is also facing the prospect of having most of its churches in the country closed down.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: The Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology has had immense influence on Sudan’s government since a coup in 1989 installed President alBashir as leader. The regime subsequently worked towards forming an Islamic state at the expense of other religious groups in the country. It was accused of supporting radical Islamic militants (including sheltering Osama bin Laden), sponsoring and harboring terrorism, and trafficking weapons. Dictatorial paranoia: Sudan has struggled to maintain civil order since its independence more than six decades ago. While the independence conflict with the south looks like it is finally coming to a close, the Darfur crisis, a multipolar civil war between pro- and anti-government militias, continues. In the past, government leaders have used inflammatory anti-Western rhetoric as a means to strengthen the regime in Khartoum. This has led to increased antiChristian violence, as the government views Christians as agents of the West. Organized corruption and crime: The government of Sudan under President alBashir employed all means available to stay in power, including the mobilization of tribal militias. Many of these militias committed human rights violations, including human trafficking of non-Arabs as a means to profit from the conflict. Christians, viewed as both foreign and a threat to the nation, were targeted with particular brutality by these Islamist groups. Ethno-religious hostility blended with Clan oppression: The Sudanese population consists of about 19 different ethnic groups of mostly Arab origin in the north, and African origin in the south. The Arabs have, since gaining their independence, pursued a policy of Islamic and Arab superiority and nationalism.

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

How are men and women differently affected?

house and shunned by families. Others feel forced to leave their home due to the pressure of persecution.

WOMEN Under the transitional government, there have been positive changes impacting women’s rights and safety. In July 2020, it was announced that the apostasy law would be eliminated, that women would no longer require a permit from a male relative to travel, and that female genital mutilation (FGM) would be banned. Notwithstanding these positive developments, female Christians, particularly converts, continue to face tremendous challenges and the military coup in October 2021 threatened the progress of women’s rights. Converts remain vulnerable to rape, physical violence, forced marriage and domestic violence.

• •

• • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied inheritance or possessions Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced to flee town / country Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – sexual

MEN Violent Islamic militancy continues to plague many African nations and has led to an increase in persecution. The government of Sudan targets male Christians with a variety of serious false charges, including “terrorism”. Church leaders are the most frequent targets, and government security forces monitor their activities daily. Christian men and boys, particularly converts, are vulnerable to beatings, imprisonment, killing, harassment in the workplace, and displacement. Converts may be expelled from their

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

• • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business False charges Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Sudan’s score increased by four points from WWL 2022. Prior to that, Sudan had dropped six points in WWL 2021 due to the change in policy and legal framework by the transitional government. Hope for change vanished in October 2021 when the military effectively conducted a coup and Christians were arrested due to their faith. Pressure on Christians and churches is at an extreme level. Churches which had been forced to close have not been re-opened and Christians are still deprived of their rights in many ways.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Christian broadcasting: The Sudan National Broadcasting Corporation’s Sunday TV program is being used as a rallying cry for radical Muslims to accuse Christians of corrupting the nation.

•

April 2022: A pastor and two others were assaulted by a group of radical Muslims during a church service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Al Hag Abdalla, about 85 miles south-east of Khartoum in Madani, Al Jazirah state. When the pastor filed a complaint with the police, he was charged with disturbing the peace and later sentenced to a month in prison (Morning Star News, 20 and 25 April 2022).

•

At least four Christians were detained and treated inhumanely by the police in Darfur. WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to marry

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

10*

100*

2022

10*

100*

Private life Christians avoid openly discussing their faith with the local community for safety reasons; it can lead to government arrest or attack from Islamic militants. This social pressure is reinforced by constant surveillance by the community and police. Keeping Christian materials, such as Bibles, carries significant risk, especially for converts within a Muslim family. If discovered, Christians face severe pressure to return to Islam. If they resist, they risk loss of property, expulsion from the community, and further acts of violence. Family life Attempting to raise a Christian family in Sudan is difficult given the pressure from government, community, and civil violence. Because Christians are in the minority and Muslims exert so much pressure on social norms, a Christian marrying a Muslim is expected to convert to Islam. Christian children are often harassed due to their family’s faith, and converts raising Christian children might lose custody of them. Additionally, the government requires school teaching on Islam. Community life The communal pressure on Christians in Sudan is immense. Public order laws, based largely on the government’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, are in force in Khartoum. These laws prohibit “indecent

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

dresses” and other “offenses of honor, reputation, and public morality”. Police have been known to harass and arrest Christians for arbitrary violations using this pretext. Christian communities struggle to access community resources (such as clean drinking water). This is particularly true outside urban areas. The general attitude in society and the government is that Sudanese citizens should be Muslim. The government uses all available opportunities to downgrade and punish Christians by restricting them from using community resources. Christians in the Nuba Mountains and other areas in the south face aerial bombardment from government forces. Statesponsored militia are also known to carry out house searches looking for Christians. National life Christians, especially those from South Sudan and Western missionaries, are frequently monitored by government security forces. There is great hope that this will change, as was made public by the transitional government. Hindrances and bans occur where organizations are perceived to be critical of state institutions or are overt about the evangelistic effect of their work. Many international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are barred from the country if known to be Christian. Church life Churches are under significant strain in Sudan from the authorities and broader society. At the top, Sudanese officials constantly interfere in the selection of religious leaders. Christians are obstructed from building and maintaining their churches by authorities and mobs. Attempting to make repairs without the consent of the government makes Christians liable to violence. Multiple attacks have been incited by community leaders, goading the people into riots, bombings, and attacks against Christians and their churches. Such violence is more common in remote areas. Sudan’s infrastructure makes reaching these areas with aid and international observers extremely difficult, which enables perpetrators to carry out violence with impunity.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

International obligations & rights violated Sudan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Sudan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Church buildings are attacked and burnt down (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian women and girls are harassed for not covering their head or wearing trousers (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians can be accused and charged of blasphemy (ICCPR Art. 19)

•

Christian children are often harassed due to their parents’ faith (CRC Art. 14 and ICCPR Art. 18)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Other religious minorities, such as the Jewish community, also face serious challenges in Sudan. They are targeted by political and religious leaders on television and other forms of media. The Bahá’í community is not recognized in the country and can only operate in secret. Jehovah’s Witnesses also face harassment. Shia Muslims are not allowed to hold worship services (US State Department, IRFR 2021). In summary, any religious group other from Sunni Islam faces tremendous challenges to exercise their faith.

Open Doors in Sudan Open Doors’ vision for Sudan is to see a resilient church that stands strong in the face of persecution and is economically empowered to support itself, through: •

Persecution preparedness programs

•

Enhancing discipleship

•

Facilitating economic empowerment

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SUDAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.7

PRIVATE LIFE

12.3

FAMILY LIFE

13.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.0

NATIONAL LIFE

14.8

CHURCH LIFE

13.3

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The rights of all categories of Christian communities are violated in India, since Hindu radicals view them all as alien to the nation. They want to cleanse their country from Islam and Christianity and do not shy away from using extensive violence to achieve this. Converts to Christianity from a Hindu background bear the brunt of persecution in India and are constantly under pressure to return to Hinduism, especially via campaigns known as Ghar Wapsi (homecoming). They are often physically assaulted and sometimes killed.

T NO.

©Unsplash

LIS

India

Christians by falsely accusing them. Even in states with no anti-conversion law, police have arrested Christians for evangelistic activities. India is the world’s seventhlargest economy, but the gap between rich and poor is wide, and the poverty level is incredibly high. Christians are often among the lowest strata of society.

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Narenda Modi POPULATION 1,406,632,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 69,494,0001 MAIN RELIGION Hinduism GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

69,494,000

4.9

Hindus

1,013,290,000

72.0

Muslims

207,015,000

14.7

Ethno-religionists

53,054,000

3.8

Source2

India is the seventh-largest country in the world and the second most populous. It is a federation with a central government in New Delhi which controls foreign affairs, the armed forces and the economy. The Constitution of India declares the country to be a secular state. Hindu radicals are calling to change this and make Hinduism the national religion. They also want to impose anti-conversion legislation at the national level. Modi, criticized for his inaction to protect hundreds of Muslims killed by Hindu extremists in the pogroms that took place in Gujarat in 2002, was elected as India’s Prime Minister in 2014. He was re-elected with absolute majority in 2019. Since Modi became Prime Minister, the annual reported number of violent attacks against Christians has increased dramatically. India’s Freedom of Religion Acts or “anti-forced-conversion” laws are state-level statutes that have been enacted to regulate religious conversions. However, in practice, these laws, as well as the Indian Penal Code, are misused to punish

The caste system, a hierarchical stratification of Indian society dating back many centuries, remains omnipresent. Most Christians come from the lower castes (a group called the Dalits, ostracized as “Untouchables”). Many converted from Hinduism partly to escape their hopeless situation, only to find the same barriers exist inside the church. Christians are often deliberately overlooked in the distribution of aid. Government restrictions make it virtually impossible for churches to receive assistance from abroad to run social projects. The work of Christian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is similarly restricted. Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses of thousands of NGOs, including hundreds of faith-based organizations, lapsed after the government said the organizations did not apply for renewal in time. In addition, during the year the government suspended FCRA licenses of hundreds of NGOs, including some that were faith-based. Internet freedom has declined in recent years. There have been arrests for online activity, and internet shut-downs during times of perceived unrest and disinformation. There is a high level of physical violence; honor killings, acid throwing, mob beatings and other atrocities happen regularly all over the country. The police also have a reputation for corruption, brutality and mistreating Christians who are in custody. Another major problem for Christians is the Maoists (otherwise known as Naxalites), who are Communist militants controlling some of the poorest rural regions of India. Christians living in Naxalite-controlled areas are constantly monitored and cannot openly practice their faith. If they do, the Naxalites beat or even execute them. There are ongoing conflicts between India and its neighbors, especially Pakistan, China, and Nepal. Hinduism dominates India, followed by Islam. India has the second-largest population of Muslims in the world, after Indonesia. Within Christianity, the fastest-growing communities are the non-traditional, including converts. Bureaucracy and corruption are notorious. If Christians try to build or renovate a church, they are likely to encounter red tape and opposition and be asked for bribes.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region There are no particular hotspots of religious freedom violations in India. The worst regions are the states where the BJP is a major factor in the state government, but that can change every five years due to elections. Hindu extremist groups have established their offices across the country, including remote villages. They keep a close watch on the events where Christians preach about their religion. In areas where BJP is not in power, they are a powerful opposition party. Although monitoring is high, Christians only run into problems when they start preaching about Christianity.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians There are several expatriate groups active in India. It is not only Christians from Western countries living in India who have their own congregations, but also refugees. One example is the Afghan community that has a congregation in New Delhi. Historical Christian communities These communities (such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican-based churches) bear witness that Christians have been in India for many centuries, with the (Orthodox) Kerala Mar Thoma Church dating back to the 3rd century AD. Converts to Christianity Christian converts from a Hindu background bear the brunt of religious freedom violations in India. These Christians face harassment on an almost daily basis and are constantly under pressure to return to Hinduism. Other converts (from Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism) also face pressure from their social environment, but their numbers are far smaller. Christians with a Muslim background face violence, intolerance, and discrimination only in areas where there is a high concentration of Muslims in the local population. Non-traditional Christian communities After converts, Christians from Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal churches are regarded as the second main target of radical Hindus because of their involvement in outreach activities and conversion.

©Pexels

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Religious nationalism – Hindu: The assertiveness and aggressiveness of all kinds of Hindu organizations has increased over the years. They claim that India belongs to Hinduism and that other religions should be driven out of the country. Radical Hinduism is by far the main persecutor in India. It is vocal, omnipresent, and very violent. Other forms of religious nationalism in India further worsen the score in this area, including aggression from radical groups such as Buddhist extremists in Ladakh, forms of Neo-Buddhism in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and Sikh extremists in Punjab. Since 2014, religious nationalism is also influencing tribal groups, causing them to regard their religions as being related to Hinduism. Dictatorial paranoia blended with religious nationalism – Hindu: After winning the May 2019 elections, the BJP formed a new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is being hailed as the strong man to lead India. As a result, dictatorial tendencies are emerging. Social media control, inflammatory speeches, the gagging of media who question government policies and statistics are just some signs of a growing dictatorial movement within government circles. Attacks (including fake news) have been unleashed by state machinery on journalists, opposition leaders, human rights activists and media chiefs. The propaganda against ‘alien’ religions like Islam and Christianity is also increasing. Clan oppression: Clan oppression is very strong in parts of northern India. In what is called the Jat Belt (regions of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), the “Khap panchayats” (clan courts) hold sway. They are regarded as having power over life and death, and function independently of the country’s legal system. The law often turns a blind eye. The police are collaborative; its membership is largely from the same communities which run the Khaps. The Khaps seem to be against modernity, against marrying outside the community rules of kinship and desirability in religion and status. Naturally, conversion to Christianity is a serious crime in their eyes. Clan oppression is rapidly becoming a serious threat to the church in India. In the tribal villages of mainland India, where the Christian population is scarce, many converts have been forced into “Ghar Wapsi” re-conversion. Influenced by fanatical Hindus, tribal village leaders impose heavy fines on Christians and vandalize their homes. The Christians are socially boycotted and will be excommunicated if they refuse to comply with the leaders’ orders. Ethno-religious hostility blended with religious nationalism – Hindu: In the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, southern Madhya Pradesh, southern Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur, there are areas with tribal societies. The Hindu radical movement RSS has successfully infiltrated these tribal societies and has turned them against the Christian presence in those areas. In the tribal areas, people have come (and are still coming) to Christian faith. This is not something new; the church has been in tribal areas for at least 100-150 years and experienced little violent opposition in that time. But since the late 1990s, the RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and their affiliates have been working systematically to divide tribal societies and generate opposition towards Christians. Increasingly, tribal converts are being threatened, boycotted socially, expelled, denied drinking water, raped and even murdered. In a number of cases, the construction of church buildings has been forcibly stopped by villagers. Ethno-religious hostility is thus rapidly becoming a serious threat to the church in India.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Persecution of Christian women often targets their physical body through molestation, rape and sexual harassment. Daughters, sisters and wives of pastors are particularly vulnerable. Sexual attacks serve to shame the family, as her sexual purity connotes her family’s honor. Physical attacks have included acid attacks, brutal beatings and killings. Converts to Christianity risk house arrest, forced marriage, forced divorce, being expelled from their home and being socially isolated. Many women from the lowest caste have turned to Christianity; this makes them a double target, for being Dalit and now Christian. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

MEN Men are seen as physically strong, so the persecution of Christian men targets their physical strength as well as their position as head of the household. Violations against men includes harsh beatings, killings and emotional torture. Church leaders are particularly vulnerable to attacks from Hindu radicals; being a pastor continues to be one of the riskiest vocations in the country. Converts may be socially isolated by their community and family, and excluded from accessing communal resources. False charges are often brought against men, such as denigrating Hindu gods and goddesses.

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied communal resources Denied food or water Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Forced to flee town/country Imprisonment by the government Incarceration by family/house arrest Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied communal resources Denied food or water Denied inheritance of possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work/job/business Economic harassment via fines False charges Forced out of home – expulsion Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Although the score for India has not changed compared to last year, this does not mean that the situation for Christians has improved. Overall violence remains at an extreme level and levels of pressure in the spheres of life also remain very high.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

At least nine Christian women were subjected to rape or attempted rape, or whose private parts were deliberately targeted for beating. In one of the cases, the victim was raped and killed.

•

At least 34 Christian women were forced to marry non-Christians.

•

At least 1,711 Christians were detained for faith-related reasons.

•

There were reports of physical abuse (including death threats), directly affecting 75,081 Christians. WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

2023

10,000*

834

2022

1779

380

Private life Talking about one’s Christian faith is now generally regarded as a form of evangelism. Being seen praying is no longer risky just for converts, but for all Christians, except in two or three northeastern states. Constitutionally-protected activities such as church services can lead to false accusations of forced conversion by Hindu radicals. Christians, especially leaders, can be arrested on such charges, with physical violence often involved. It is impossible for foreign Christians to obtain a missionary visa. Family life Although the Juvenile Justice Act allows the adoption of Hindu children by non-Hindu parents, Christians still find it extremely difficult to adopt in practice. Procedures are very complicated, and adoption panel members are sometimes biased against Christians. Christian children are forced to participate in Hindu aspects of the curriculum, even in Christian schools, such as yoga, Hindu literature and mythology. Openair baptisms are now regarded as too risky for both the pastor conducting the baptism and the person getting baptized. Christian children, especially those of converts, increasingly experience discrimination and physical harassment due to Hindu radical influence. Community life Over the past five years, monitoring of Christians by Hindu radical organizations and community authorities has increased. The goal is to stop any form of evangelism. There has been an increase in

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

harassment, threats and social discrimination. Ghar Wapsi (homecoming) reconversion campaigns succeed in part due to community pressure on Christians. National life Anti-conversion legislation, which limits religious freedom, is in force in 11 states. Christian organizations receiving funds from abroad have always been restricted through the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act because they are viewed as engaging in proselytization or advocacy. The media, especially in Indian dialects, are generally very biased against Christians and positively hostile in rural areas, where propaganda and incitement to violence against Christians from Hindu extremists is given plenty of airtime. Church life The state monitors Christian activities and has imposed many restrictions (e.g., on foreign funding, invitations to foreign missionaries, difficulties with registration and anti-conversion laws). Local authorities and Hindu extremists closely monitor Christians’ internet activity, and even tourists visiting must sign a statement saying that they will not carry out preaching or conversion activities. Many Christian foreigners living in India on a work visa have been deported. Many foreigners of Indian origin have been deported because they were part of churches or Christian groups in India. Any Christian speaking out against an attack risks further violence.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated India has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) India is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are killed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian women and girls are raped and sexually abused because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 7)

•

Christians are attacked, ostracized, and unjustly accused of forcefully converting others (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians are victims of incendiary speech and smear campaigns that incite violence and discrimination (ICCPR Art. 20)

•

Peaceful religious gatherings of Christians are disrupted by mobs and attacks, in violation of the right to peaceful assembly (ICCPR Art. 21)

•

Christian Dalits are excluded from government affirmative action because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26 and ICESCR Art. 11)

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Situation of other religious minorities Hindu radicals have called both Islam and Christianity “alien” religions that should eventually be removed from the country. Thus, the Muslim minority experiences similar treatment as Christians do at the hands of militant Hindus. Buddhists and Sikhs find they are more acceptable to Hindu radicals, since their religions originate from the territory of India.

Daniel* serves as an Open Doors’ partner in western India and is excited about the opportunities to help people. “We visit, encourage and provide them with basic essentials,” he says. *Name changed for security reasons

Open Doors in India The work of Open Doors local partners in India is focused on:

•

Distribution of Bibles

•

Training: Holistic training including persecution preparedness

•

SED: Livelihood and community development for persecuted Christians

•

Urgent Aid: Help to the victims of persecution

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

11.3

PRIVATE LIFE

13.2

FAMILY LIFE

14.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.6

NATIONAL LIFE

14.1

CHURCH LIFE

14.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Leaders of historical churches are physically identifiable and have been targeted for attacks, abduction, or death in areas where Islamic militants are active. Their churches have been either demolished or turned into Islamic centers by Islamic groups and other violent Islamist groups. Evangelical church leaders are also vulnerable since they are seen as Western-oriented, proselytizing and fragmented, lacking guidance from a strong leader with political influence, such as a pope or bishop. In governmentcontrolled areas, there used to be less monitoring of Christians (during the early years of the civil war). As the authorities regain power, control of possible dissidents has increased. The government mostly tolerates historical churches. Christians from a Muslim or Druze background are put under pressure by

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Syria

their families and communities, as conversion brings great dishonor to them. This is particularly true in majority-Sunni areas, where converts risk being attacked or expelled from family homes. Since the Turkish invasion in October 2019, Turkish forces have attacked, raped, abducted and murdered Kurds and other ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Yazidis. They are also moving Sunni Arab internally displaced people (IDPs) from other parts of Syria into the homes of minority refugees in the north, causing demographic change. Religious minority communities in the north-west region of Idlib have been displaced due to continued brutal attacks by the al-Qaeda offshoot Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Eastern Syria has an increased presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) who carry out regular attacks, almost on a daily basis.

Quick facts LEADER President Bashar al-Assad POPULATION 19,365,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 603,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Authoritarian Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians Muslims Agnostics Atheists

603,000 18,390,000 353,000 15,500

3.1 95.0 1.8 0.1

Source2

Syria is classed as authoritarian. President Bashar al-Assad took over power from his father in 2000. From 2011 onwards, the Syrian opposition became increasingly "Islamized" and the civil war quickly took the form of a Sunni "jihad" against the Syrian government. The government resorted to military force, which was met with armed opposition. The battle attracted foreign jihadist fighters, including the Islamic State (IS), which established its caliphate in June 2014. The majority of the country is now under government

control except for the Idlib Province, Western Aleppo Province, the northern region of Hama Province and the north-east. These areas are currently controlled by Turkish forces, the Global Coalition, Islamist groups or Kurdish authorities. In January 2019, jihadists took control of Idlib. IS has continued attacking civilian targets in the north-east. Around 160 Christian families were displaced due to the Turkish-led incursion into north Syria in October 2019. A ceasefire was agreed between Russia and Turkey in March 2020 which halted the regime’s military advance towards Idlib city, although this was strained by jihadist attacks as well as by Russian airstrikes in the north-west in the subsequent months. In July 2020, President Bashar al-Assad won parliamentary elections in spite of protests against the severe economic conditions. Assad also won the presidential election in May 2021 by an overwhelming majority. Syria is a Sunni-Muslim majority country, however

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

there is an estimated 13% Muslim minority made up of Alawi, Ismaili and Shia. There is no official state religion, though the Constitution states that the president must be Muslim and that Islamic jurisprudence shall be a major source of legislation. Christians enjoy reasonably good standing in government-controlled areas, though activities that could be construed as proselytism are restricted. The assumption that Christians are progovernment (often correct, not least because of fear of alternatives) contributes to this tolerance. Within opposition-controlled areas, Christians have been significantly affected. In the predominantly Kurdish areas in the north, historical Christians have reasonable living conditions. In the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), Muslims are officially allowed to change their faith and register as Christians. However, the Syrian government does not recognize this registration. Christian children are particularly vulnerable as many Christian schools have been closed or damaged and children have had to attend (Islamic) government schools. Fear among Christians has been at a high level over the last years, particularly caused by the threats, intimidation, and kidnappings carried out by radical Islamic groups such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated HTS, the Ansar Brigade and the Al -Farouq battalions. Particularly in the north-east, a number of factors (combined with the Turkish invasion of northern Syria) have dealt a blow to Christian confidence in Deir ez Zaur, Al Hasakah and Qamishli as well as the predominantly Christian villages on the border with Turkey. The escalation of Turkish aggression and the potential for a large-scale invasion of the border areas make Christian communities feel extremely threatened, since the areas are controlled by Islamist militias and Turkish authorities. In the WWL 2023 reporting period, dozens of churches, monasteries, Christian cemeteries and other buildings vital to the Christian community were attacked, damaged or looted in the west and north-east of the country, mostly due to intense shelling by Turkish forces and Turkish-supported opposition (TSO) or by criminals.

How the situation varies by region Christians are particularly under pressure in the last bastions of control by radical Islamic groups, in Idlib Province in the north-west and in Hasakah Province in the north-east. In these areas, IS has continued to attack civilian targets. Turkish military and Turkeysupported opposition (TSO) forces (which include Islamic militants) are operating openly across the northern part of Syria, to Hasakah and Qamishli.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities These are mostly Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. As the largest type of Christianity in the country, Christians from historical Christian communities are specifically targeted. They are spread throughout the country and are also present in conflict zones. The few traditional Christian families left in Idlib Province, which is controlled by international jihadist groups, are threatened with death, torture, or assault and therefore hide their faith. The attacks by Turkey and TSOs have driven out many of these Christians from their homes in the north-west, north, and north-east. Clergy from historical churches are recognizable by their clothing, which sometimes makes them a target. The political reputation of denominations, churches, and local church leaders (neutral, pro or contra-Assad) plays an important role in the level of oppression they face from groups fighting President Assad. Converts to Christianity Christians from a Muslim or Druze background are especially put under pressure by their family, as it brings great dishonor to them if a family member leaves their religion. This is particularly true in majority-Sunni areas, where converts risk being banned from their family homes or worse. In a reaction to the increased radicalization of Islam, opposition from family and society towards converts from a Muslim background has increased, particularly within rebel-controlled areas. Pressure from the family is relatively less intense in Kurdish areas (except for desert areas where there is more tribal influence and Islam is more conservative), as the Kurdish Sunnis are generally less radical. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congregations are in a vulnerable position as they are known for their Western orientation, fragmentation, lack of strong leadership, and lack of a foreign spokesperson (such as a pope or bishop) who can speak on their behalf. Most of the non-traditional Christian communities lack full, official recognition and legal status. Because of their evangelistic activities, they are specifically targeted by Islamic militant groups, but also by the government, which wants to maintain stability at all costs.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Islamic oppression is the major persecution engine in Syria and accounts for most of the atrocities and violations committed against Christians. Militants belonging to radical Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda affiliate HTS and Jaish al-Islam as well as members of Turkish-sponsored opposition groups (TSOs), are currently the main drivers of this engine in Syria. They operate openly in the north-west of Syria and across the northern part of the country (including Hasakah and Qamishli). Christians used to have a relatively high level of religious freedom in pre-civil war Syria, but this changed with the arrival of militant Islamic groups. IS set up its caliphate covering large parts of Iraq and Syria in June 2014; most Christians in these areas fled. Although the caliphate was eliminated in March 2019, IS still conducts sophisticated attacks. Islamic militants currently control approximately 15% of Syria’s population. Turkish military operations, beginning in 2016, led to the occupation of territory in northern Syria and, since October 2019, the so-called "safe zone" along the Syrian-Turkish border. Turkey is using Arab Islamist fighters to control Kurdish areas. Islamic oppression is also present in government-controlled areas, mostly affecting converts from Islam to Christianity, where pressure is exerted especially by family and community. Slight pressure is also exerted on historical Christians; for instance, during Ramadan 2019, posters appeared in Christian neighborhoods in Aleppo urging Christian women to veil themselves. Dictatorial paranoia: This pressure primarily comes from armed groups which control parts of Syria, including the Turkishsupported opposition forces (TSOs). Through this control, President Erdoğan aims to restore the past glories of the Ottoman Sultanate. Since October 2019, TSOs have several times cut off the water supply to Kurdish and Christian minorities in Hassakeh, as well as the surrounding rural areas inhabited by more than a million people, to force them into submission. Militant groups have taken over many Christian-owned properties. On the government side, although President Assad shows a positive attitude towards historical Christians, his main objective is social stability rather than protecting rights of religious minorities. The government will act against Christians (and other groups) considered a threat to the status quo, such as those involved in evangelism. Surveillance and interrogation by the authorities are reportedly increasing. Clan oppression: Tribalism in Syria is mixed with Islam, especially in the northern Kurdish areas and the central desert areas. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a betrayal of the community and a threat to national security. If discovered, it leads to great opposition from family and local leaders. A sheikh can permit the execution of converts and can give permission for Muslims to take their properties, belongings, and even their women. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption and bribery are widespread; Transparency International lists Syria as the third most corrupt country. This takes place within the context of impunity and anarchy and affects access to food and health care. Christians, who have a reputation for being wealthy, have been kidnapped for ransom by criminal networks. Organized corruption and crime is especially prevalent in areas occupied by Turkish military and Islamic militant groups, in southern, Druze-dominated areas and in areas with a high percentage of Alawites. In Latakia, dominated by Alawites, the kidnapping of young Christians has become a major concern. The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused crime and corruption to rise dramatically.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN In the context of ongoing instability and restrictions on religious freedom, women from religious minority groups, including Christians, risk abduction, sexual harassment, and rape. While the rate of instances has dropped dramatically since IS dominated areas of Syria, this can happen both in government-controlled areas and in rebel-held territory. Rape is used to shame Christian families and destabilize communities. Female converts also face violence from their own families. They may face domestic violence or be forced to marry a Muslim, or even be killed to restore the honor of the family. • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied custody of children Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Young indigenous Christians fear being forcibly conscripted into the Syrian Army or to other military factions. Some are conscientious objectors, and this can prompt consideration of emigration. Unemployed Christians have immense difficulties obtaining a job, and those who are employed stand little chance of

promotion. As men are usually the financial providers, this makes the wider family vulnerable. Converts face additional pressures and may be threatened by their family, beaten, or denied their inheritance. Male converts from a Muslim background also come under strong pressure to marry a Muslim woman. • • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription/service against conscience Violence – death Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Syria increased by two points from 78 to a score of 80 points. This increase is mainly due to a higher number of reported violent incidents. For example, in WWL 2023, three Christians died because of their faith, several churches and Christian buildings were damaged in attacks by Turkish supported forces, and at least five Christians were kidnapped.

Ferial, a Syrian Christian woman.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

April 2022: Gunmen shot dead two Christian civilians in Kharaba in southern Syria. The culprits violated their land, and it appears that the two Christians were killed while trying to defend their land.

•

July 2022: Another Christian was killed in a drone strike during the dedication of a Greek Orthodox church in Al-Suqaylabiyah. In addition, six people were injured, most of whom suffered minor injuries.

•

May 2022: A church in the Assyrian Christian village of Tel Tawil in northern Syria was seriously damaged by an attack by Turkish troops. Turkish air raids on predominantly Christian villages in northern Syria have seriously damaged many Christian buildings, cemeteries, Christian owned homes, and other properties in the past reporting period. Many Christians have left this area because of this. At least four Assyrian villages were completely emptied because of Turkish bombardments between October 2021 and September 2022. WWL Year

Christians' private property damaged or confiscated

Christians' business property damaged or confiscated

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

100*

10*

2022

100*

23*

11*

Private life In areas controlled by Islamist opposition groups (such as Idlib Province), it is dangerous for Christian communities to discuss their faith with non-Christians. Conversion from Islam is generally punishable by death. In areas controlled by Kurdish authorities, although Muslims are legally allowed to convert, they will face pressure mostly from their families. In government-controlled areas, discussion of faith is risky for converts or where it could be regarded as attempted evangelism (prohibited by law). Otherwise, Christians, except for converts, may express their faith in writing as long as they do not mention politics or other faiths. Muslims are legally prohibited from converting to other religions (except for AANES), though this is not criminalized. Family life There is no legal scope in Syria for a female Christian from a Muslim background to marry a male from a historical or non-traditional Christian family. Their marriage would be illegal. There is a huge social stigma around interfaith marriages, which can lead to estrangement, discrimination and persecution by family members, and even murder. The honor of a Muslim man is put to shame if his wife or daughter converts to Christianity. Both culture and religion

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

say the right thing to do is kill her, but divorce is the more common solution. If a Muslim spouse divorces a Christian, custody rights are ordinarily given to the Muslim party. Some Christian mothers will convert to Islam just to keep custody of their children. From birth, the children of converts from Islam are considered Muslim because their parents cannot officially change their religion. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is a rare exception; it is the only place in Syria that allows Muslims to legally change their religion. However, this is not recognized by the Syrian government. As a result of increased Islamic education in government held areas, Christian children, especially those of converts, experience discrimination and harassment. Community life Christians are monitored throughout Syria, especially in areas held by Islamist opposition groups. In government-controlled areas, converts and non-traditional church groups are watched particularly closely and sermons monitored. Religious instruction is provided in schools according to confessional affiliation. Converts are still considered Muslim, so their children receive an Islamic education. Christians can face discrimination in employment. In Aleppo, where

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Sunni Muslims control the market, they often do not employ Christians. National life The 2012 Syrian Constitution stipulates the president must be Muslim and Islamic law the major source of legislation, which provides a basis for discriminatory treatment of non-Muslims. The Constitution obliges protection for all religions as long as they "do not disturb the public order". Conversion from Islam is not recognized except in AANES. In areas held by Islamist opposition groups, Sharia law applies, which severely restricts the freedom of all non-Sunni religious groups. In governmentheld areas, adult males have to serve in the armed forces or face imprisonment and forced conscription. This factor prompts male Christians to flee Syria and makes them reluctant to return. The religious majority, Sunni Muslims, also suffer human rights violations by the government since they are perceived as its opponents. Of those who died in government custody, most were Sunni Muslims, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom 2021 Report. Church life Church services have been monitored since the start of the crisis, and church leaders are expected to encourage members to support the Assad regime. Even before the civil war, leaders avoided speaking about evangelizing Muslims or speaking disrespectfully about Islam. In areas controlled by Islamist groups, most churches have either been demolished or are used as Islamic centers. The incorporation of converts within recognized churches has always been discouraged by the government on the grounds that this could produce religious sectarianism or provoke conflict between communities. Many churches in Islamist-controlled areas have been desecrated, especially by the removal of crosses.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Syria has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Syria is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized by their family and community and pressured to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians in northern Syria are killed in violent attacks by revolutionary and paramilitary groups with an Islamist agenda (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian converts are monitored by local officials upon request of their own families (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christians are denied custody rights of their children because of their faith (ICCPR Arts. 23 and 26)

•

Christian female converts cannot marry Christian men and if they do, their marriage is considered illegal (CEDAW Art. 16)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Situation of other religious minorities Many other religious minorities face various levels of persecution including Shia, Alewite, Druze, Jews, Yazidis, and Zaradashtis. Shia, Alewite, and Druze communities have been marginalized and persecuted by Sunni jihadists, not only on the grounds of their faith being considered heretical but, in the case of the Alewites, also because of their perceived connections with the respective Assad presidents. Yazidis and Zaradashtis belong to Kurdish religions, which are not recognized by the Syrian regime. Their children are registered as Sunni Muslims and they learn Islam in school.

A young Syrian Christian boy with his mother.

Open Doors in Syria Open Doors is encouraging the local church through strengthening its leadership and helping leaders take advantage of the many opportunities for ministry, even in the ongoing crisis situation in the country. It does so in cooperation with local church partnerships. Opportunities include: •

Literature distribution: Bibles, study Bibles, children’s Bibles, New Testaments and Christian books

•

Discipleship training for leaders so they might teach others

•

Leadership training and specific youth leader training

•

Big picture training

•

Various types of training on request of the various local churches in Syria

•

Trauma counseling and debriefing for people who have gone through very stressful situations

•

Partnering with the local church to care for and provide relief aid and rehabilitation programs to the many Syrian Christian internally displaced people (IDPs)

•

Building bridges between the various Christian denominations by sponsoring conferences to which all denominations are invited

Open Doors is also raising prayer support for believers in difficult situations, and prayer for the situation in general.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SYRIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

2.4

PRIVATE LIFE

15.2

FAMILY LIFE

15.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.9

NATIONAL LIFE

15.8

CHURCH LIFE

16.7

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Most Christians in Saudi Arabia are expatriates who come from low and middle income countries in Asia and Africa, and some from Western countries. Besides being exploited and poorly paid, they regularly face verbal and physical abuse because of their ethnicity and low status, and their Christian faith can add an extra layer of vulnerability. Expatriate Christians are severely restricted in talking about their faith with Muslims. Doing so carries the risk of detention and deportation. Expatriate Muslims converting to Christianity face violations similar to the levels they would have experienced in their home countries, since they tend to live in communities with others from their home nations.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Saudi Arabia

The few Saudi Christian converts from a Muslim background face high levels of pressure, especially from their families, and they generally keep their faith secret. Nevertheless, the small number of Saudi Christians has been slowly increasing, and they are also becoming bolder, sharing their Christian faith with others on the internet and Christian satellite TV channels. Such public action has led to serious repercussions from Saudi families and authorities.

Quick facts LEADER King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud POPULATION 35,845,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 2,165,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Absolute Monarchy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

2,165,000

6.0

Muslims

32,381,000

90.3

Hindus

726,000

2.0

Agnostics

239,000

0.7

Source2

Extensive oil reserves have transformed Saudi Arabia into one of the richest and most modern nations in the region. The country is an absolute monarchy; political parties are not allowed and there are no national democratic elections. Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud became king in 2015 and, two months later, Saudi Arabia started a military campaign with 10 other

countries to restore the government of Yemen which had been expelled by the Shiite Houthis. The ongoing war in Yemen has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis, leading to worldwide criticism. Some reforms in Saudi Arabia in recent years have included giving women approval to drive and travel without a male escort, as well as significantly reducing the number of religious police on the streets. Saudi Arabia contains the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina (the traditional birth and burial places of Mohammed) and subscribes to Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam. Other religions are not allowed to be practiced openly. A Shiite minority of 10% exists and suffers discrimination. There are more than 2.1 million Christians who are mostly expatriate Asians working temporarily in the country. By leaving Islam, Saudi Christians are punishable under the apostasy law, which carries the death penalty. However, courts have not carried out a death sentence for apostasy in recent years. Hatred against followers of religions other than Sunni Islam still features in school textbooks, in spite of promised reforms.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region As most Christians in Saudi Arabia are expatriate workers, they live and work in all parts of the country depending on where they are employed. The pressure Christians face is generally the same all over the country, although social control is likely to be higher in rural areas. This particularly affects Christian converts from a Muslim background.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians (mostly Roman Catholic) come from Africa, Asia and the West and come to Saudi Arabia for employment. Migrants from low-income countries face abuse on account of their ethnicity and low status, as well as constant pressure to convert to Islam. No Christian expatriates are permitted to share their faith with Muslims. Church buildings are not legally permitted, but major Christian worship services are reportedly held regularly without substantial interference from government officials or the religious police. The community of expatriate Christians also includes Christian converts from a Muslim background, especially Arab and Asian migrants. These believers face similar violations as back in their home country, as they are normally part of micro home-country communities. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity The few Saudi Christian converts from a Muslim background keep their faith secret. They learn about Christianity through TV programs or the internet, although this is strictly regulated by the authorities. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Saudi Arabia is defined by Wahhabism. The Quran and Sunna (literally “Traditions”) are declared to be the Constitution and the legal system is based on Sharia law. Only Wahhabi Islam may be practiced publicly, and all Saudi citizens are assumed to be Muslim. The death penalty for apostasy is in force, though there have been no known examples of judicial executions for apostasy in recent years. Clan oppression: Tribe and clan affects Arab society e.g. in marriages, employment and in renting or buying property. Clans can be identified by their surname, which reflects their tribal status. There is general disdain for those who do not have a tribal affiliation, especially nonMuslim expatriates. Clan oppression is clearly connected to Islam and particularly affects Christians with a Muslim background. Leaving Islam is a great violation of family and tribal honor and is likely to lead to violent reactions from direct or extended family of a convert. Dictatorial paranoia: The Saudi monarchy is absolute, and the ruling family carefully controls any possible dissension. In particular, the king and crown prince will do their utmost to maintain the status quo. As Saudi converts to Christianity are seen as dishonoring the country’s proud reputation as custodian of the two holy mosques, their existence is denied. State officials often act against Christians in response to requests from family or community members. Saudi rulers have also implemented changes that have affected expatriates, such as increasing visa fees for their dependents.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

How are men and women differently affected?

threat of death is all too tangible. In light of these pressures, many choose to live as secret believers.

WOMEN Saudi women are constantly monitored. For female converts from Islam, pressure is mostly exerted by family and community. They risk physical violence, verbal harassment, house arrest and being forcibly married to conservative Muslims as a “corrective” measure. Already married converts risk being divorced and losing custody of their children. Given these pressures, and the ultimate threat of honor killings, many women choose to become secret believers. Furthermore, sources report that thousands of female domestic workers across the country who are Christian (or non-Islamic) face abuse on a regular basis.

WWL 5 year trend

• • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN The male-dominated nature of public society means that men pay a considerable price if their faith becomes known. Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic society means that any deviation from standard behavior is quickly observed. Converts risk being publicly shamed, beaten, imprisoned, thrown out of their home and emotionally abused. Alternatively, they might be taken to a Sheikh to be ‘re-educated’. If it becomes clear that a convert will not change, the

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

• • • • •

Economic harassment via work / job / business Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Saudi Arabia scores one point less compared to WWL 2022: scoring 80 instead of 81 points. This was mostly due to a slight decrease in the score for violent incidents. For example, in WWL2023, unlike in WWL2022, no arrests or sentences of Christians were reported. In addition, we received no reports of forced marriages of Christians nor of Christians’ houses or property being attacked. However, Saudi Arabia still scores high on physical violence against believers, as well as on the number of believers forced to leave their homes. Pressure on Christians in the different spheres of life remains at an extreme level. It is one of the few countries in the world in which church buildings are still forbidden.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period For security reasons no details can be provided here.

Private life Saudi Arabia’s anti-proselytism laws restrict Christians from sharing their beliefs. For Saudi converts from a Muslim background, this often means they cannot talk about their faith, not even with their relatives. For expatriate Christians, this could have consequences for their employment situation. The repercussions are likely to be especially severe for Christian converts from Islam, as apostasy can be punished by imprisonment or the death penalty. Family life Non-Islamic religious practice is not allowed, so Christians may not meet for worship or carry out baptisms and weddings. Christian marriages cannot be officially registered with the state. If Saudi parents are discovered to be Christian converts, they may lose custody of their children.

Church life The ban on any form of non-Islamic worship means that no church building can be constructed or rented for use as a church. Of the thousands of informal fellowships for expatriates that meet in private places, there is evidence of routine monitoring by the authorities. Christian services are also restricted by the strict gender segregation, which prohibits men and women from different families from worshiping in the same room. The importation of non-Islamic religious materials in Arabic into Saudi Arabia is prohibited. Media, including the internet, are routinely screened for political, pornographic and religious material deemed offensive or against Islam.

Under Saudi law, migrant female Christians who marry Saudi men (Christian men are not allowed to marry Saudi women) do not have the right to custody of the children on the grounds of ensuring that the children receive a Muslim upbringing. Community life Christian converts from a Muslim background are threatened if their faith becomes known, and they are very likely to lose their jobs. The monitoring of known converts is very common and is carried out by the local community. For expatriates, religion is recorded as part of their application process, and any mention of Christianity may result in them not being hired. This mainly concerns migrants from lowincome countries, and for that reason some of them register as Muslims. National life Blasphemy, defamation of religions and nonIslamic proselytizing are prohibited, as is any public expression of non-Islamic worship. Most Christians (both Saudi and foreign) take great care to avoid provocation; they exercise precautionary “self-censorship”, avoiding in particular any direct preaching or criticism of Islam. Businesses do not allow Christmas celebrations and Christmas decorations are confiscated at the border. Logos of companies are also checked for any non-Muslim religious imagery.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

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WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

International obligations & rights violated Saudi Arabia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Saudi Arabia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Female converts to Christianity face violence and severe deprivation of their fundamental rights due to the existence of the male guardianship system (CEDAW Arts. 2 and 5)

•

If discovered, Female Christian converts are incarcerated in their home or their freedom of movement severely restricted by their own families (CEDAW Art. 15)

•

Female Christian converts are forcibly married to Muslim men to force them recant their new faith or if already married, they risk divorce and losing custody of their children (CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Christian converts cannot raise their children according to their religious beliefs (CRC Art. 14)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Shiite Muslims, located mainly in the Eastern Province, face discrimination and persecution. Regarded as heretics by Saudi rulers, Shiites are discriminated against in the justice system, in education, employment opportunities and government posts. Shiites seek greater political participation and more religious tolerance, but Shiite clerics and activists advocating for their rights risk arrest and even execution on charges of opposing the government.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Saudi Arabia Open Doors raises prayer support for the believers / church in the Arabian Peninsula.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SAUDI ARABIA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.4

PRIVATE LIFE

12.5

FAMILY LIFE

11.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.9

NATIONAL LIFE

13.9

CHURCH LIFE

12.9

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The year 2022 brought Myanmar further than ever from a solution to the violent conflict, which started when the army staged a coup on 1 February 2021. Fighting has continued and, in some parts of the country, increased, with the Christian minority among those bearing the brunt of attacks. Even wellestablished churches belonging to historical Christian communities are being attacked, in predominantly Christian states like Chin State and Kayah State, but also in states with a strong Christian minority like Kachin State, Karen State or in the northern Shan State. In February 2022, UNHCR estimated there were 440,000 additional internally displaced people (IDPs) since the beginning of the war (UNHCR Factsheet, February 2022). Christians are part of the generally peaceful resistance movement, but fighting has

T NO.

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LIS

Myanmar

increased across the country and although not all ethnic minority armed groups are involved, some Christian ones are. Government forces continued to attack Christian villages and churches (while leaving Buddhist monasteries largely untouched) and Christian aid workers and pastors have been killed. Converts who live in areas with a majority Muslim or Buddhist population experience violations from family and community, including being denied access to community resources like water.

Quick facts LEADER General Min Aung Hlaing POPULATION 55,227,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 4,421,0001 MAIN RELIGION Buddhism GOVERNMENT Parliamentary Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

4,421,000

8.0

Buddhists

41,549,000

75.2

Ethno-religionists

4,971,000

9.0

Muslims

2,037,000

3.7

Source2

In the years following its independence, various ethnic groups attempted to break off to form independent countries. The military, aiming to maintain the state’s integrity as well as ethnic Burman control, seized power and five decades of military rule followed. A series of protests led by Aung San Suu Kyi increased public pressure against the government, culminating in a 2015 election where Ms Suu Kyi won in a landslide victory. She was forcibly deposed

by the military following the 2020 elections and the country has since returned to military rule, resulting in significant unrest across the country. Christian minority states are especially affected, as the Tatmadaw fights the insurgency with all its power. Most Christians belong to ethnic minorities and not to the Burmese (Bamar) majority. The adoption of ‘Laws on the Protection of Race and Religion’ in August 2015 was celebrated countrywide by nationalist Buddhist groups like Ma Ba Tha. While these laws were aimed chiefly at the Muslim minority in Rakhine State, Christians are also affected because conversions have to follow an administrative process including notification to different authorities. Ma Ba Tha has been banned several times, but re-emerges under different names. Radical Buddhist groups have targeted Muslims more than Christians, leading to the exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh. Christians experience pressure and even violence from the army, and killings of Christians are reported.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2021)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Myanmar is arguably suffering from the world’s longest civil conflict, which began immediately after the country gained independence from Great Britain in 1948. The core of the conflict is that the central government has tried to impose its control over regions, which had been promised a certain measure of autonomy. When it comes to difficulties for Christians in the WWL 2023 reporting period, the widening and intensification of the conflict has had an impact. The Tatmadaw indiscriminately attacks Christian villages, church buildings (sometimes hosting refugees or IDP camps) and kills Christian aid workers and pastors. While the atrocities in Chin State continued, other hotspots are Kachin State in the north and Kayah State in the southeast. As fighting there continues, an increasing number of people - many of them Christian - are living in IDP camps. Most have been there for years, and humanitarian access to them is blocked. Fighting continues as well in neighboring Shan State, which has a large minority of Christians, especially in the north. Although the conflict with the Karen and Karenni is not in the focus of international attention, it is still smoldering and many have become IDPs (or refugees in Thailand). A not-so-different story could be told about the Chin, who are predominantly Christian, only that their choice of refuge is India.

a Muslim ethnic group, there are Christian converts among the Rohingya, who were forced to flee to Bangladesh due to the military’s violent actions against them. Christian Rohingya face persecution both because of their ethnic and religious affiliations. Non-traditional Christian communities Many Evangelical and Pentecostal congregations face violations from the community they live in, especially in rural areas. Historically, proselytizing and importing Christian materials was illegal. More recently, government policy seeks to prioritize Buddhist interests at the expense of those of other religious minorities.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities These Christian communities have for decades faced pressure and violence from the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military. In many cases, they are caught up in conflicts between the military and radical insurgent groups, such as the Kachin Independent Army (KIA), which supports the opposition’s fight. Because these conflicts are generally separatist in nature, often a strong sense of nationalism pervades and Christians, who are seen as “foreign”, are likely to be among the first victims of attacks. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from Buddhist or Muslim backgrounds face extreme violations of rights from authorities, families and communities. While primarily

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Religious nationalism – Buddhism blended with Ethno-religious hostility: The majority of Myanmar’s population (an estimated 60%) are of Burmese ethnicity, also called Bamar. Being Bamar is equated with being Buddhist. To be otherwise is to be seen as foreign and a threat to the state and national unity. Government policy has even supported radical Buddhists like the Ma Ba Tha group, which seeks to root out and eliminate non-Buddhists in Myanmar through political means. Although the government shows some improvement in including and working with minorities, there is still a long way to go to overcome the old policy of Buddhist-Bamar supremacy and fully include ethnic and religious minorities. Dictatorial paranoia: Myanmar has a long history of being ruled by the army and while neither the 2015 nor 2020 elected government could be called paranoid, Myanmar is one of the very few countries where it is the army who holds almost all power, as illustrated by the military coup on 1 February 2021. Even according to the country’s (old) constitution that was written by the Myanmar army itself in 2008, one quarter of parliament’s seats were reserved for military staff. Moreover, the army held the most important government offices, including the Ministry of Defense and the Ministries of Interior and Border Affairs. The emerging of resistance movements, be it the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) or the People’s Defense Force (PDF), has contributed to the paranoia of the army. Organized corruption and crime: Many of Myanmar’s most precious natural resources, such as jade, ores, and timber, are found in states with high Christian populations. Additionally, Myanmar is part of the “Golden Triangle”, one of Asia’s largest opium-producing regions. Often, the military and insurgency groups compete over the revenues produced by these lucrative ventures. Those, such as Christians, who oppose corruption risk violence from both insurgency groups and the military itself.

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Rohingya extremist groups reportedly abduct Rohingya Christian women, forcibly marry them to Muslim men and attempt to convert them to Islam. Armed forces also pose a further threat to Christian women, particularly those belonging to ethnic minorities. They are often at the forces’ mercy, vulnerable to rape and physical assault. Women in the predominately Christian Kachin State continue to be trafficked to China as ‘brides’, so they can produce male heirs. Converts are also vulnerable to house arrest, expulsion from the family home, divorce and loss of child custody. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home / expulsion Incarceration by family/house arrest Targeted Seduction Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Christian men might lose their job, be driven from their village or town, or trapped in cycles of forced labor because of their faith. It is especially difficult for Christian men to practice their faith within the context of the armed forces, or when pressured to join militias, such as the Kachin Independence Army. Na Ta La schools intend to convert Christian children, aiming to stop Christianity from spreading to the next generation. Here, the boys are raised to become Buddhist monks. Converts also face threats, ridicule and physical beatings.

• • • • • • •

Denied inheritance or possessions Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced to flee town / country Military/militia conscription / service against conscience Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The increase in score in WWL 2023 of 1.2 points after an increase in WWL 2022 by 4.9 points shows that the situation for Christians continues to deteriorate. While the score for violence rose by a further 0.5 points (after having risen by 2.9 points in WWL 2022), the pressure on Christians across all spheres of life continued to slowly increase, the most pronounced is National life with an increase of 0.4 points. This increase is mainly due to the extension of war into more regions, including from the Bamar-majority and the Christian minority’s limited space has been restricted even further. Converts (from a Buddhist, Muslim or tribal background) continue to face strong pressure, especially from their family and community; the situation in Wa State continues unchanged. It should be kept in mind that it has been becoming much more difficult to obtain reports from war-torn Christian minority areas, which is acknowledged by other international organizations and is shown in the detention and sentencing of reporters as well as in Internet and communication blackouts across the country.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

January 2022: In a government air-attack against a refugee camp in Loikaw, Kayah State, three Catholics were killed and seven wounded (Fides, 18 January 2022).

•

December 2021: In a Tatmadaw attack against a Catholic Church in Mo So town, Kayah State, 35 Catholics were killed (Fides, 29 December 2021).

•

October 2021: Rocket attacks destroyed more than 100 houses, several churches and non-governmental organization (NGO) offices in Thantlang, Chin State. Before the rocket attacks started, soldiers of the Tatmadaw torched churches and buildings belonging to Baptist, Presbyterian and Pentecostal denominations (CSW, 2 November 2021).

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

WWL Year

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023 2022

100* 100*

1000* 1000*

100,000* 200,000

10,000* 20,000

Private life Myanmar’s current laws make it hard for an individual to convert. The Religious Conversion Law, part of the “Law for Protection of Race and Religion”, requires that citizens who wish to change their religion must obtain approval from a newly established Registration Board for religious conversion, undergo an interview and engage in religious studies for a period. During this period, the application is posted on a community board meant to put the convert under severe community pressure to retract their application. Because of this, conversion is usually done in secret. Converts also face pressure from their family and community and are sometimes disowned and expelled from the family home. Family life The state continues to run so-called “Border Areas National Races Youth Development Training Schools” (or Na Ta La - schools), which are attractive for minorities as they are boarding schools run without school fees. These schools are used to influence young people and introduce them to Buddhism. The army has continued its practice of weakening ethnic insurgencies by encouraging ethnic youth to become drug-addicted, a practice that is affecting Christian Kachin as well. Community life There is intense pressure on Christians in Myanmar from the community. Christians tend to be economically, socially and politically excluded which leads to poverty, harassment and exposure to crime. Christians, especially those gathering in house churches, are monitored and pressured into renouncing their faith by both communal and government authorities. They are excluded from communal decisions and resources. Denial of building materials and access to drinking water can put Christians in dangerous and exposed conditions. With the developing civil war and a quickly growing number of IDPs and IDP camps, health care and humanitarian aid to Christians is either not possible, not allowed or is only given in minimal portions, and international monitoring (and sometimes

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

even access) is blocked. The same applied to the distribution of COVID-19 relief aid. National life Section 361 of the 2008 Constitution reads: “The Union recognizes the special position of Buddhism as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union.” It also recognizes the presence of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism in section 362. This “special position of Buddhism” has been abused by Buddhist radicals. The previous government aimed to garner Buddhist support by controlling conversion to other faiths, banning interfaith marriages and introducing birth controls. Official permission must be sought to convert. Christians are usually only hired by firms when there are no Buddhists available, and are frequently bypassed for promotion. With the developing civil war, Christian aid workers and pastors are increasingly accused of being CDM or even PDF (resistance movements) leaders and can be attacked by the army. Church life Dissent, especially any criticism about the situation of the ethnic and religious minorities, is dealt with harshly. Complaining is futile and whenever the army is involved, speaking out bears an even greater risk. Following the military coup, the army is virtually involved all the time and in a climate where Christian leaders are accused of joining or even leading the resistance (be it CDM or PDF) speaking out is not only risky, but completely in vain anyway. The same is true when actions by radical Buddhist groups are addressed, but due to the changed situation in Myanmar, this has been eclipsed by other challenges. This does not mean that courageous Christians do not speak up, one example being Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng, who has been detained several times, after she peacefully stood up against the military junta (UCA News, 28 January 2022). As churches are suspected of being centers of opposition, local communities, authorities and especially the military monitor their activities. In a growing number of cases, this monitoring led to attacks against church building and church workers and leaders, up to killings. Buddhist monks connected with Ma Ba Tha, a Buddhist nationalist movement, also monitor Christian activities. For converts, this kind of pressure is even higher, as detection may have more serious consequences, not just from the community, but from their own family too.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Myanmar has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Myanmar is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian children are forced to receive Buddhist religious education and to participate in religious ceremonies and festivals that are not in line with their religious beliefs (CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians are denied access to communal resources because of their faith (ICESCR Art. 2)

•

Christian homes and shops are attacked and destroyed, in violation of the right to an adequate standard of living and to a continuous improvement of living conditions (ICESCR Art. 11)

•

Christian female converts are forcibly married to Buddhist men and pressured to renounce their new faith (CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Kachin Christian women and girls are trafficked into the sex trade (CRC Art. 34 and CEDAW Art. 6)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

Situation of other religious minorities The persecution of the largely Muslim Rohingya minority is under discussion at The Hague. Non-Rohingya Muslims in other parts of the country also face persecution and discrimination - for example, in government or military jobs. People sometimes refuse to sell property to Muslims, and the building of mosques is forbidden.

©Unsplash

Open Doors in Myanmar Working through local partners, Open Doors strengthens persecuted believers in Myanmar through:

•

Literature distribution

•

Discipleship programs

•

Pastoral and leadership training

•

Livelihood support

•

Family and marriage enrichment

•

Children and youth training

•

Persecution preparedness

•

Presence ministry

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MYANMAR

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

0.2

PRIVATE LIFE

15.4

FAMILY LIFE

15.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.8

NATIONAL LIFE

16.0

CHURCH LIFE

16.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Maldivians are expected to be Muslims. The Maldives has one of the highest population densities worldwide, especially on its main island, Malé. The close-knit, homogeneous communities serve as natural watchdogs for any deviation of their members, which includes religion. Conversion to Christianity can result in being reported to Muslim leaders or authorities. Expatriate Christians, most of them working in the tourist sector and coming from India and Sri Lanka, are watched closely. This makes gathering for worship very difficult. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many expat Christians left the country. They are slowly returning as the country reopens to tourism.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Maldives

The small number of Christians suffer from a lack of options for enjoying fellowship and worship together, which results in isolation, social problems and illnesses which they share with the majority of the population. Christians have to maintain caution in the way they conduct themselves since they are not allowed to publicly show any presence as a Christian community. The legal framework of the Maldives remains restrictive towards women and girls, primarily due to the influence of Sharia law. Maldivian Muslim women cannot marry a man of a different religion, unlike Muslim men; this makes it harder for female converts to Christianity to marry a Christian as they are still considered Muslims under the law. The Open Doors estimate for the number of Christians is ‘hundreds’. For security reasons, no breakdown of religions can be published.

Quick facts LEADER President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih POPULATION 541,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS Hundreds (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

How the situation varies by region

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

Hundreds

Persecution takes place outside islands reserved for international tourists.

Source1

After the ousting of the first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed, in 2012, his successors have frequently reiterated the goal to protect the country from becoming less than 100% Sunni Muslim. Opposition forces (including those perceived as a danger to the rulers) have been driven out of the country or arrested. On May 7 2021, a bomb exploded outside Nasheed’s house as he got into his car; radical Islamic groups are suspected to be behind the attack. Nasheed is now the speaker of Parliament. Former president Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is now in opposition, continues to attack the government with a fierce anti-India campaign, adding to an already politically volatile situation. Civil liberties are increasingly restricted. This includes media and social media, demonstrated by the killing of well-known blogger Yameen Rasheed in April 2017 and the closing of the non-governmental organization (NGO), Maldives Democratic Network, in November 2019. So far, it does not appear that the new leader, Ibrahim Solih, who was elected with a huge margin in September 2018, is able to bring any substantial change to the Maldives.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians often come from India, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. These communities are monitored closely, including any visible gatherings of Christians such as marriages and baptisms. However, most expat Christians have the freedom to meet (in embassies, for example), provided they stay strictly together and do not have contact with local Malidivians or indigenous converts from Islam. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity with a Muslim background face by far the most severe violations as, officially, they do not exist in the country. Anyone leaving Islam will lose his/her citizenship. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

According to OD-estimate

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALDIVES

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: The Islamic government still sees itself as the protector of Islam and prohibits Maldivians from converting. Officially there are no Maldivian Christians, only expatriate Christians. Official policy from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Defense is that apostates can never be tolerated and that the government will never allow freedom of religion. Dictatorial paranoia: Islamic oppression is blended with dictatorial paranoia, because Islam is being used as a justification for limiting political freedom. Freedom of religion continues to be restricted since ‘protection of religion’ is understood to mean the ‘protection of Islam’. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption has been rampant at all levels of government and officials are motivated by bribes, favors and threats. Additionally, government officials have previously employed street gangs to intimidate, vandalize the property of, and even attack, more secular political opponents.

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Given the extremely strict interpretation of Islam, Christian men and women must be secret believers. If a Christian woman or girl is discovered to be a Christian, every effort will be made to bring her back to Islam through forced marriage, verbal abuse, threats or other forms of violence. Despite the close-knit social control on the islands, abuse, rape and sexual harassment are surprisingly common in a culture that generally excuses gender-based violence within the home. Sexual and physical abuse are used as tools of religious persecution against Christian women.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

• • • • • •

Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN If a Maldivian man is found to be a secret Christian believer, he is likely to endure bodily harm, harassment, threats or government imprisonment (although there have been no such cases in recent years). In light of this pressure, many choose to leave the country and live abroad, if they can afford to do so. If imprisoned, the wider family will suffer financially and emotionally, and children are likely to be bullied at school. • • • •

Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

In WWL 2023, the level of pressure on Christians remained very high, resulting in an almost unchanged score. The very low violence score remained at the same level as in previous years. Converts have literally no space at all to live out their Christian faith, and expatriate Christians (often migrant workers) lack possibilities for worshiping together without fearing arrest and deportation. Consequently, the Maldives is one of the few countries where the score for pressure in the Church sphere continues to reach almost maximum points. The new government, which took over in mid-November 2018, has made no tangible improvements as regards freedom of religion and is more focused on internal political struggles.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALDIVES

Examples of violence in the reporting period For security reasons, no details about violent incidents involving Christians can be published.

Private life Converts to Christianity always have to exercise the utmost care to hide their faith. Bibles and other Christian materials have to be carefully hidden as the possession of such literature could result in imprisonment. Obtaining Christian materials in the native Dhivehi language is particularly risky as authorities may suspect they are being used to evangelize the local population. The authorities and the community are constantly searching for symbols perceived to be anti-Islamic. For example, in December 2020, police removed Christmas decorations (including a Christmas tree) from resorts, as they were deemed to offend the sensitivities of some religious factions. For expatriate Christians, job contracts often stipulate that those expressing non-Islamic beliefs can face imprisonment of up to five years, house arrest, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 rufiyaa ($320 to $1,300) and deportation. Family life Baptisms and Christian funerals must be performed in secret. The Constitution states in Article 36 (c): “Education shall strive to inculcate obedience to Islam.” Children of converts to Christianity are forced to study Islamic teachings. Although children of expatriate Christians are exempt from attending Islamic classes, Islam permeates the whole of school life. If they can afford it, Christian expatriate parents often send their children to international schools. Community life High population density, social homogeneity, and active government policy oriented towards Islam mean social pressure is extremely high in the Maldives. This is especially true in the capital, Malé. One example is the recent and widespread adoption of the black burka (through Arab influence). Incidents of women refusing to veil, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have resulted in forced exile or violence. Another example of forced Islamization by the wider community is the requirement to keep the fasting requirements of Ramadan, regardless of an individual’s faith, with refusal resulting in arrest and public humiliation by the news and media. The government mandates participation in online Islamic and cultural classes for Maldivians living abroad. Christians therefore are under constant pressure to conform to avoid harassment, loss of economic opportunity, or, in extreme cases, violence.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALDIVES

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

National life The Constitution refers to the country as ‘100% Muslim’, and government regulations are based on Islamic law. Among other regulations, one states: “It is illegal to propagate any other religion than Islam.” Penalties for violating this regulation range from house arrest to imprisonment of up to five years. If the offenders are foreigners, they will usually be deported. As quoted by the US State Department’s IRF Report 2020: “The country is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), with a reservation stating the government’s application of the principles set out in ICCPR Article 18, which relates to religious freedom, shall be ‘without prejudice to the Constitution of the Republic ’.” The ‘Defamation Law’ in place includes clauses against anti-Islamic comments. Church life A functioning church operated in the Maldives during the 20th century, mainly for expatriates. Today, however, the law prohibits the establishment of places of worship for non-Islamic religious groups, stating, “Non-Muslims living in or visiting the country are prohibited from openly expressing their religious beliefs, holding public congregations to conduct religious activities or involving Maldivians in such activities.” Those expressing religious beliefs other than Islam face imprisonment of up to five years or house arrest, fines up to $1,300, and deportation. Expatriate Christians are monitored by the authorities. Importing Christian materials is illegal and those guilty will be detained and jailed. Police and customs have confiscated Christian material and letters sent through the mail, which may portray values or ways of life against Islam. Expatriates are allowed very limited quantities of Christian literature for their personal use.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated The Maldives has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) The Maldives is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

If their new faith is discovered, Christian converts are stripped of their citizenship, isolated from society and punished with loss of state benefits for violating Sharia (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 26)

•

Non-Muslims living in or visiting the country are prohibited from openly expressing their religious beliefs, especially with Maldivians (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

There are no churches in Maldives and any non-Muslim rite is prohibited (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 21)

•

Christian expatriates’ private worship meetings are strictly monitored and controlled by the authorities (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian women are harassed or face violence if they do not abide by traditional Islamic dress code (ICCPR Art. 18 and CEDAW Art. 2)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALDIVES

Situation of other religious minorities There are no recognized religious minorities in the Maldives. All nationals are required to be Muslim by law. Anyone giving evidence of support for any religion or philosophy besides Islam (e.g. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism) will be persecuted in the same way as Christians and most of them prefer to go into exile rather than face imprisonment or even death. According to the US State Department (IRFR 2021): “Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continued to state that persistent online and in-person threats against individuals perceived to be insufficiently Muslim effectively foreclosed the possibility of meaningful discussion on religious issues in the country.”

Open Doors in the Maldives The leaders of the Maldives claim their population is 100% Muslim and take pride in this. Any attempt to convert anyone out of Islam is punishable by imprisonment and/or fines. Therefore, Open Doors calls for increasing prayer support from worldwide Christians for more local believers to come to faith in Christ.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALDIVES

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

11.1

PRIVATE LIFE

12.9

FAMILY LIFE

10.0

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.7

NATIONAL LIFE

14.5

CHURCH LIFE

15.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Like religion in general, the Christian minority is seen as a threat by the Communist Party. The Party is implementing a policy of Sinicization of churches – bringing them in line with and under the control of the Communist Party. In earlier reporting periods, mainly large churches active in politics or inviting foreign guests were monitored and closed; now this can happen to any church, independent or statesanctioned. However, rather than publicly closing a church (building), authorities simply denied reopening after meeting restrictions due to the pandemic being lifted in some regions. Since 2018, even before the pandemic, some churches and meeting places simply vanished (meaning mostly that they split up in small groups, often meeting online). Apart from the regulations on religion (regulations to

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

China

meet online and measures for the financial management of venues for religious activity), there are strict restrictions on the internet, social media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Bible apps were banned from online stores, but other religious content is still available. If a convert from Islam or Tibetan Buddhism is discovered by community or family, they are usually threatened, physically harmed or reported to the police. Spouses may be pressurized to divorce.

©Unsplash

Quick facts LEADER President Xi Jinping POPULATION 1,448,471,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 96,700,000 (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Agnosticism GOVERNMENT Communist party-led state

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

96,700,000

6.7

Others

459,708,385

31.7

Agnostics

469,705,644

32.4

Buddhists

239,374,075

16.5

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source1

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tightened its grip on society (including all religious activities) and increasingly uses Maoist rhetoric and ideology in order to keep citizens in line. The CCP’s main method for reaching the overarching goal of staying in control is the emphasis on Communist ideology. There is rarely a public statement or meeting in which the importance of heeding Communist values is not mentioned. This has been an emphasis from the beginning of Secretary General Xi Jinping’s

rule in 2012, but really took off when his name and ideas ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in a New Era’ were officially incorporated into the CCP’s Constitution in October 2017. Several universities have opened faculties to teach these ideas, and the CCP has released an app to test its members on them. Much effort is being made to communicate his thinking to citizens through the media, higher education, and even in kindergarten. Those within the Party not deemed loyal enough are purged or sidelined; Christian faith must be abandoned to have a career in public service. The CCP guides teachers in what should be taught through the content of history textbooks. Books promoting atheism, such as ‘The Principles of Scientific Atheism’ were distributed as textbooks in colleges and among Communist Party cadres. At the CCP congress in October 2022, Secretary General Xi secured a third term of ruling. All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee appear to have been chosen in such a way that neither their accomplishments nor their advanced age make it likely that they would be able - let alone willing - to challenge Secretary-General Xi’s rule or even voice meaningful alternative views.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) (Adapted according to OD-estimate)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Chinese churches, whether state-approved or unregistered, are increasingly affected by the CCP’s new approach of actively intervening in affairs. Churches are closely monitored and under pressure to teach Communist ideology. The Regulations on religion (Administrative Measures for Religious Groups), introduced in 2020, provide the authorities with the legal basis to intervene. Those rules even govern the selection of leaders. There have been raids on and closures of churches, arrests of leaders and confiscation of Christian materials. These rules have been updated and extended by regulations pertaining to religious ministers. According to its Constitution, China is atheist. Around 40% of citizens agree with the value of Confucianism, which is praised by the government as being truly Chinese. Since it is more of a philosophy, it can incorporate Communist rulers. The government warns citizens against religious groups and incentivizes them to report illegal religious activities. Churches in Shandong Province (and increasingly elsewhere) have been forced to display government-prepared posters with Bible verses to illustrate the 12 Socialist principles. The statesanctioned and controlled church associations are: the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM - Protestant) and the Patriotic Catholic Association (CPA). Protestant churches not belonging to the TSPM are considered illegal and called house or underground churches, though they can have hundreds of members.

©Alamy

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Converts from a Muslim or Buddhist background from minority ethnic groups arguably face the most severe violations of religious freedom in China, as it is driven by their families and communities. Consequently, hotspots are Xinjiang, Tibet and Western China, as well as the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan, Qinghai and Ningxia. As Protestant Christians are more concentrated in the provinces of Henan, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, and the numbers of Catholic Christians in Hebei are high, those provinces might also be considered as hotspots. However, Christians and Christian churches face restrictions and monitoring countrywide, and reports are coming from almost all provinces. The Communist Party goes to great lengths to limit the flow of such reports, with increasing success in the reporting period.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christian communities experience more freedom compared to other Christian groups, but face monitoring and limitations in their contact with local Chinese churches. However, Chinese authorities throughout the country are cracking down on foreign Christian missionaries, especially South Koreans, but also Americans, Taiwanese and Christians from Hong Kong. The Chinese authorities have published a draft of new rules for foreigners and their involvement in religious activities in China. These rules are part of a series of tightening laws on religion. The new rules limit the extent of citizens’ contact with foreign worshipers in the country. There is a significant decline in the number of expatriate Christians, both due to the aforementioned measures and the restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Historical Christian communities This category highlights a unique factor in Chinese Christianity: there are registered and governmentrecognized churches – the TSPM and the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) – and non-registered, independent churches. On the Roman Catholic side, these independent congregations are the followers loyal to the Vatican. TSPM and CPA-related churches are government-controlled and even if there is no direct censorship, they carefully weigh their words. Leadership elections are state-influenced. TSPM and CPA have each published five-year plans on how their churches will ‘Sinicize’. Churches are continuing to publish white papers from the leadership

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

level on this topic, e.g. Sinicization in a Catholic context. This category is seriously affected by the intensification of control and Sinicization (also known as Sinification), as well as by the delayed or denied reopening of churches after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since September 2018, the Holy See has been party to a ‘Provisional Agreement’ with China on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops, which was renewed for two years in 2020. The Vatican extended its agreement with the Chinese government concerning the appointment of bishops for another two years (AP News, 22 October 2022). Despite all criticism and clearly aware of the agreement’s limitations, the Vatican has apparently decided that the benefits outweigh the risks. As the content of the agreement continues to be barred from publication, further details are not available. This has not led to any tangible relief of pressure on Catholic Christians. Converts to Christianity Converts are either from a Muslim background or from a Buddhist (Tibetan) background. Living in ethnic minority regions, which are becoming ever more volatile, and where some strive for independence, converts are facing pressure from two sides; the government, and family and community. The government restricts any meeting or action it deems political or dangerous. Meanwhile, family, friends and community put converts under pressure to return to the ‘true faith’, because it is an important uniting factor for ethnic groups, especially when the Communist authorities are imposing an ‘Ethnic Unity Law’. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is made up of a multitude of Evangelical, Baptist and Pentecostal congregations under a whole variety of names. On the Protestant side, these (often unregistered) non-traditional churches are also called house churches or underground churches, sometimes also family churches. Unlike several years ago when congregations consisted of hundreds of members and in some provinces met openly in commercial buildings, most house churches have now returned to home gatherings. As a result of the pandemic, many churches have stopped in-person meetings and moved their services online. There have even been instances where online meetings via Zoom, etc., were sometimes interrupted as a result of the regulations to meet online. Consequently, many house churches split up into small gatherings.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Communist and post-Communist oppression: The main goal of the Communist Party is to maintain power through national unity and by limiting potential threats such as religious and ethnic minority groups. Christians are the largest social body not under complete state control, and therefore seen as dangerous. According to updated Communist Party rules, any member who maintains religious beliefs after a dose of ‘strengthened thought education’ will be ‘encouraged to leave the Party’. Most officials will do everything to secure their position, regardless of whether they are personally convinced by Communist ideology. In many regions of China, Christian activities have been hindered. Although house churches are still targeted the most (especially if involved in youth work), government-controlled churches face restrictions too. Catholics loyal to the Vatican face significant oppression. Muslim and Tibetan leaders are sometimes co-opted by the Communist Party to act as Party officials and limit Christian activities. Dictatorial paranoia: President Xi Jinping has consolidated his power in a manner not seen since Mao Zedong, and under Xi the Communist Party has become almost militant in its efforts to attack any perceived threats to its authority. In an effort to maintain control, the Communist Party and government authorities have carefully studied what led to the downfall of Communism elsewhere. One factor is the control of social groups such as Christians, who are seen as alien and connected with foreign, mainly Western, powers. The Party puts real pressure on officials to implement policies and offers incentives.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Women lead many churches, especially house churches, facing the same risk of imprisonment as men. Generally speaking, converts from Muslim and Buddhist backgrounds face the greatest pressure. Their husbands may be pressurized to divorce them because they are seen as traitors to their ethnic group. China’s (now-abandoned) one-child policy is notorious for having created a gender imbalance. The consequences of this policy interact with the vulnerability of Christian communities in neighboring countries. • • • • •

MEN Although they face similar pressure to women, men and boys are at greater risk of being physically abused. Male Christian leaders are particularly targeted for government surveillance. Catholic priests and high-profile house church leaders have been forcibly detained by the authorities. In these instances, men may be physically abused, including being beaten by police officers. While in detention, many men are traumatized. Those under prolonged detention are unable to provide financially for their families. Due to such pressure, some church leaders choose to emigrate.

Abduction Forced marriage Imprisonment by the government Trafficking Violence – sexual

• • •

Abduction Incarceration by the government Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

16 17 17 23 27

77 76 74 70 65

The increase of 1.1 points in WWL 2023, after an increase of 1.7 points in WWL 2022, more than four points in WWL 2021, an increase of five points in WWL 2020, and seven points in WWL 2019, shows a continually deteriorating situation and reflects that the strong pressure on churches is felt nationwide. The violence score remained on the same level as last year, and many churches were forced to continue gathering in smaller groups or even move completely online. The scores for pressure in the 5 Spheres of life slightly increased across all spheres because of the new restrictions and limitations on using the virtual sphere for religious purposes.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

August 2022: Authorities raided a house church meeting of Christians from ERCC in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and physically harmed church members.

•

February 2022: Echeng District Court in Ezhou in Hubei province sentenced Pastor Hao Zhiwei to eight years in prison on charges of fraud, as she had refused to join the TSPM.

•

December 2021: Chen Yu, owner of the “Wheat bookstore” in Linhai, Zhejiang province, received a sevenyear sentence for alleged “illegal business operations” by printing and selling Christian books. His appeal was rejected.

•

December 2021: The authorities closed a church-affiliated school in Shunde in Guangdong province; on 18 December, a school near Fuzhou in Fujian province was closed.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

WWL Year

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

2023

10*

1000*

100*

2022

100*

3000

1000*

100*

Private life Access to online Christian content is possible (if not blocked) but strictly monitored by the government. Christians are already preparing for more restrictions, and a good deal of self-censorship is practiced. The government increasingly blocks website content and limits the space of available content, e.g. Amazon’s audiobook service Audible for reading religious books and other Bible apps in the Apple Store have been banned, as have Koran apps. This is a result of the implementation of recent regulations, some dating back to 2018, but others only came into force in March 2022. There have been several reports from areas where the authorities have forcefully entered homes of Christians. Converts to Christianity with a Muslim or Buddhist background mostly keep their faith secret, as they could be threatened by local authorities or even detained. Party and military members who convert to Christianity may also keep their conversion a secret. Children and youths are not supposed to be exposed to religion.

Community life Monitoring (e.g. by CCTV, neighborhood committees and security guards) is widespread, and highprofile Christians come under special scrutiny. The Communist Party maintains a reward system to encourage security guards in the community to report any irregularities. This grid management system is tight and used for several purposes, including monitoring neighborhoods. Church leaders are often summoned for interrogation at local police stations, such as in the case of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. Employment discrimination is more common in public sector jobs (e.g. all religious believers are excluded from government positions that require Party membership). There are rare cases where the government has pressed private employers to terminate contracts with religious believers. Christian converts from Muslim or Buddhist backgrounds are put under pressure by family and community to return to their original faith and face discrimination until they do.

Family life Children under 18 years are banned from attending religious activities, and Christian students are forced to study unbiblical teachings in the atheist school system. Children of Christians have been forced by authorities in several parts of the country to sign statements confirming they are ‘not religious’. Children are put under pressure to reveal their parents’ religion. The Party warns that religious activities are regarded as illegal behavior, which leaves many children confused and sometimes angry with their Christian parents. The introduction of the ‘Children speak in unison’ plan led one observer to state that the educational reforms ‘aim to mold model citizens from pre-school’. In some areas, Christian children, especially those with convert parents, have been threatened with not being allowed to graduate or not being accepted for further studies.

National life China’s Constitution recognizes freedom of religion, but allows the state to define ‘normal’ religious activity. The best illustration of this in the WWL 2023 reporting period is that of Chang Yuchun and Li Chenhui. Both of them received a sevenyear sentence from Xian Municipal Intermediate Court, Shaanxi province, for alleged “illegal business operations” by printing and selling Christian books. Their appeal was rejected.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

There are many means of discriminating against religious minorities; denying permits, conducting financial investigations aimed at uncovering foreign links, and shutting down churches due to alleged building or fire violations. Christians who depend on government subsidies (such as the elderly) are sometimes put under pressure by local Party officials to choose between their faith and the government

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

subsidy. The text, entitled ‘Opinions on Providing Judicial Services and Protection for Accelerating the Modernization of Agriculture and Rural Areas’, provides guidelines under paragraph 9 for implementing the overall national security concept and for promoting harmony and stability in rural regions. Religious activities are listed among various other dangerous elements in society. Church life All communities of Christians are being monitored. Church activities are not just monitored by the presence of agents, but also by CCTV cameras watching the pulpit, congregation and surrounding church compound. Preaching at Sunday services must be pre-approved, but the situation varies. Monitoring of unregistered churches has increased in this reporting period, with more house churches experiencing harassment and obstruction once their activities are discovered. Most house churches were forced to form small groups and gather in different locations, maintaining a low profile to avoid detection. As one country expert summarized: “Prior to COVID-19, the government had begun shutting down large, unregistered congregations. During lockdown, no public meetings were allowed, so believers continued meeting online. It is highly unlikely that unregistered groups will attempt to resume large in-person meetings. The future of small group meetings, which many are currently utilizing, is uncertain.” Many house churches switched to (limited) online meetings. Churches that are officially closed for good lose everything, including property and assets. This occurs more in rural areas. New regulations for religious institutions were made public in May 2021. Among other goals, Article 4, Article 9 and Article 39 are telling. They emphasize the cultivation of a reserve of patriotic religious talents. The regulations also mandate that courses should include a series of classes on ideological and political theory. Learning Xi Jinping’s Thought should be included as the institution’s goal. With this Sinicization campaign, pastors in registered churches are increasingly pressured to promote Party teaching in the churches. The Communist Party also introduced a new regulation concerning religious clergy; Article 3 highlights that religious clergy should love the motherland, support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and adhere to the direction of the Sinicization of religion in China. If these regulations are enforced strictly, freedom for churches will shrink considerably. Legislation on religious online activities that took effect in 2022 may result in restrictions on online gatherings. Churches are trying to navigate these new rules in an effort to stay online (China Source, 12 April 2022).

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated China has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)*

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) *China has signed but not ratified the ICCPR. China is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are monitored by the state and their activities are often hindered and disrupted (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Churches are hindered from obtaining legal status and those officially registered are subject to heavy state interference (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian leaders are imprisoned on charges of national security (ICCPR Art. 9)

•

Children of Christians have been harassed and discriminated against because of their parents’ faith (CRC Art. 2)

•

Christian children are hindered from attending religious services and receiving religious education (CRC Art. 14)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

Situation of other religious minorities Just as churches have been closed or destroyed, so have Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist, Jewish and other houses of worship. Religious minorities such as Muslims, Buddhists and adherents of Falun Gong report severe societal discrimination in employment, housing and business. Muslims in Xinjiang suffer severe human rights violations, with up to one million held in re-education camps, which the government claims are necessary in the fight against radical Islam. A report by UNHCR documented these atrocities, but China put pressure on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and on its personnel not to publish the report, as it would “intensify politicization and bloc confrontation in the area of human rights, undermine the credibility of the OHCHR and harm the cooperation between OHCHR and member states.” Some have been released. Details of these camps have been revealed in reports such as the China Leaks, and satellite images show the scale of the camps. Tibetan Buddhists face strong pressure from the government, especially under the new Ethnic Unity Law.

Open Doors in China Open Doors provides training and Christian literature to Christians who suffer persecution, intolerance and discrimination, including Muslim and Buddhist background Christians through local churches and partners. We strive to support Christians in China through indigenous leaders.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CHINA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.0

PRIVATE LIFE

11.1

FAMILY LIFE

10.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.7

NATIONAL LIFE

10.3

CHURCH LIFE

15.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Radical Islamic groups took control of the north of Mali in 2012. In the chaos, Christian communities were attacked and churches destroyed, forcing many Christians to flee. The displacement still affects Christians who lost homes, communities, and places of worship. Although some Christians have returned to their homes under police protection, the threat of Islamic militancy still looms large. In fact, the threat of jihadists has expanded toward the south. Those carrying out evangelistic activities risk violence and abduction. Christian converts with a Muslim background face pressure and sometimes violent coercion from relatives and community members if their conversion is discovered. What is making the issue more problematic is the fact that the country’s institutions are breaking apart at a fast rate, which encourages the jihadists to be more active in the country.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Mali

Quick facts LEADER Interim President Assimi Goita POPULATION 21,474,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 490,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Semi-Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context

(ECOWAS) and the African Union, on 7 June 2021, Goïta was sworn in as interim president.

Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

490,000

2.3

Muslims

19,047,000

88.7

Ehtno-religionists

1,909,000

8.9

Agnostics

25,300

0.1

Source2

Mali adopted a new constitution in 1992, signifying a successful transition to democratic rule. The country was considered exemplary among African nations for protecting civil liberties. However, in 2012, Tuareg rebels, who had been active for several years in the north, allied with radical Islamist groups, which included foreign fighters from Algeria. Together they seized several cities. A military coup then ousted the civilian administration. With the help of foreign military, the Malian government was able to push back the rebel advance and reclaim much of the previously lost territory. On 24 May 2021, the Malian Army led by Vice President Assimi Goïta assumed power. Despite suspensions by the Economic Community of West African States

Mali has been dominated by (mostly moderate) Islam for centuries and is characterized by tolerance. However, it is now highly dangerous to be a Christian of Muslim origin. Both Malian Christians (the majority being Roman Catholic) and Muslims tend to combine their faith with indigenous animist beliefs. Christians living outside the major cities face extreme danger even as civil servants (e.g., as teachers). Mali’s inability to contain the jihadist situation has resulted in a lack of security. Christians face the risk of being targeted, kidnapped and killed. Church-run schools have also been forced to close down. Militant groups forcibly recruit boys into the ranks of armed groups and, if Christian, force them to convert to Islam.

How the situation varies by region Even though most Malian Christians live in the south, they have come under increasing pressure as a result of the threat of increasing radical Islamic activities in the north and north-eastern parts of the country. To some extent, there are small pockets of intense persecution in the southern part of the country as well.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are not forced into isolation in Mali. However, they are easy targets for abduction. Historical Christian communities Less than 3% of Malians are Christian and the majority belong to historical communities, such as Roman Catholic. Those living in the south enjoy relative freedom of religion in comparison to their counterparts in the north, but the threat of violence and kidnapping by Islamist groups has increased in the reporting period. Converts to Christianity Christians with a Muslim background are mainly found among the Bozo and the Dogon peoples. In addition to the threat from Islamist militants faced by most Malian Christians, converts face varying degrees of pressure from their family and community to renounce Christianity. Non-traditional Christian communities These include charismatic and Pentecostal communities, which are mainly found in southern Mali. Due to their style of worship and evangelistic activities, such communities are likely to draw the hostility of society at large.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Moderate Islam in Mali was disrupted in 2012. Islamists, heavily influenced by Wahhabism and global trends of Islamic radicalization and politicization, instituted a strict Sharia regime in the north, demolishing churches and assaulting Christians. The church in southern Mali also faces increasing pressure from Wahhabi groups. Organized corruption and crime: The country is situated in the Sahel region of West Africa, containing vast desert areas that are difficult for authorities to control. Criminal gangs use this as an opportunity to smuggle drugs into western Europe. Most gangs allied themselves with Islamist groups and persecute Christians. Many surviving Tuareg rebel forces, facing defeat by the government and its allies, have become criminal operators, reliant on the illegal trade of weapons, drugs, and people. Ethno-religious hostility: Although most of the Malian population is Muslim, they often mix their beliefs with tribal practices. Most tribal or ethnic leaders in remote parts of the country are hostile towards Muslims or Christians who oppose such practices, which can result in clashes between tribal leaders and Muslims or Christians.

©Alamy

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Resurgent attacks by Islamist militants threaten female Christians with abduction and forced marriage. While this does not affect Christian girls alone, it is considered a common tactic used by Islamist militants to spread Islam and is a widely feared threat. Female converts are most vulnerable to harassment, threats, sexual abuse, physical violence, and even killings. Single converts will be forcibly married, and married converts divorced, possibly losing their children. Expulsion from family homes also increases vulnerability due to a lack of support. More generally, women must adopt an Islamic dress code. • • • • • • • • • •

Denied custody of children Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN As Islamist militant attacks continue unabated across Mali, Christian males are particularly subjected to death threats and violent, physical attacks due to their faith. Those in rural or remote areas are at risk of abduction, death, and forced recruitment at the hands of violent groups, frequently jihadists. Targeted attacks on Christian homes and businesses are used to impoverish families and weaken Christian communities. Christians, particularly converts, are

pressured through social rejection, or reduced access to jobs or education. Married converts may also be forcibly divorced from their wives. • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced divorce Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Mali’s score increased by six points compared to WWL 2022. The increase in pressure faced by Mali’s Christians is caused by a combination of factors: the presence of mercenaries, a weak and corrupt, anti-western government that tries to link some Christian groups to some western governments, as well as the presence of jihadist groups who have expanded their activities utilizing a security vacuum left by the government.

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Resources denied: In areas controlled more by Islamists than the Malian government, Christians are denied resources and prevented from accessing water and land to grow crops. This has been confirmed by local researchers.

•

Many Christians forced to flee their homes due to the attacks by jihadists. Some of these are living in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs).

•

Christian schools and other institutions were destroyed or closed. Some Muslim religious leaders made a demand that for schools to open and operate, Muslim dress code and teaching of the Quran should be included in the school curriculum.

•

On 6 May 2022, unknown gunmen kidnapped a pastor of a village called Heremakono (Diabaly, Niono). WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

10*

100*

2022

10*

Private life Converts with a Muslim background experience the most difficulty in their private lives as pressure to recant is exerted by family and community members. However, any Christians living in the north of the country face harassment and violent attack if their faith becomes widely known. Family life The ongoing military conflict in Mali has made the practice of Christianity risky. Unlike many Muslim majority nations, Christianity is discouraged not by law, but because the practice of any faith other than Wahhabi Islam risks violent reprisals from Islamist groups. In the north, teachers have been intimidated and children forced to attend Quranic classes. They have also demanded that schools, many of which are operated by Christian organizations, be converted into madrassas. Muslim families will not tolerate conversion of a family member for reasons of family honor and will likely exert pressure on a convert to renounce Christianity. Community life While hostility and violence are most severe in the north, it is increasing everywhere. The authorities

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

have attempted to forbid hostile religious propaganda, but sermons in mosques have become increasingly radical in their opposition to Christians. Pressure is growing on local communities in central Mali to adopt Sharia law, despite its direct opposition to secular state law. Regions under the control of Islamist groups demolish churches and monitor anyone suspected of being a Christian. Christians face the risk of abduction, rape, forced marriage, and murder. National life Mali is officially a secular state that respects freedom of religion, but militants in the north oppose such liberty. As a result of an almost total lack of political and social representation within society, Christians are frequently pressured into converting to Islam. Such pressure is particularly prevalent in the Malian army, security agencies, and the public health and banking sectors. As a Christian, particularly as a missionary, it is extremely dangerous to travel in Mali, with multiple incidents of kidnappings and murder occurring in recent years. Church life Christians attempting to return and repair damaged churches in the north have been harassed and attacked. Furthermore, refugees have been forcibly halted from constructing make-shift churches under threat of violence. Often contact with western non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN peacekeepers, or foreign government allied military forces is construed as ‘evangelizing’ by Islamist groups. Under this pretext, local community leaders and insurgent groups will carry out attacks on vulnerable Christian populations or property.

International obligations & rights violated Mali has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Mali is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are killed on the spot if their conversion is discovered or merely suspected (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christians are targeted and killed by extremist groups on the basis of their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christians are harassed and targeted for wearing religious symbols (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian converts are tortured and pressured to recant their conversion from Islam (ICCPR Arts. 7 and 18)

•

Christian parents cannot raise their children according to their religious values (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they discuss their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities In addition to Christians, Mali’s other religious minorities include adherents to indigenous belief systems. Although such beliefs have historically co-existed with Islam, the rise of militant Islam has threatened that coexistence. Local Shias also face discrimination, while members of the Fulani people group are also targeted for the involvement of some of their people in militant Islamist groups that are terrorizing the region.

Open Doors in Mali In partnership with the local church, Open Doors’ vision for Christians in Mali is to become resilient in their persecution and continue to share the gospel. We help provide: •

Persecution preparedness training and support

•

Discipleship enhancement programs

•

Economic empowerment programs

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALI

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

4.6

PRIVATE LIFE

14.1

FAMILY LIFE

14.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.0

NATIONAL LIFE

14.8

CHURCH LIFE

13.9

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The main focus of the pressure on Iraqi Christians following the territorial loss of Islamic State (IS) has been the Shia militias backed by Iran. However, in the first half of 2020, IS also stepped up its attacks on civilians, infrastructure and security forces. In several areas of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), Turkey continued its air strikes and ground operations, reportedly targeting members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). In June 2020, as well as May 2021, Christian villages were bombed in Turkey’s largest operation in the area since 2015, forcing some Christians to flee. Christians were not protected by the local government. The historical churches (Assyrian Church of the East, Syrian Orthodox Church, Syrian Catholic Church, Chaldean Catholic Church and Armenian Orthodox Church) are seriously affected by

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Iraq

violence, intolerance and discrimination, especially from militant Islamic groups and non-Christian leaders. They also face discrimination from government authorities. Several years ago, the Catholic seminary in Baghdad had to move to the IKR following threats of kidnapping and attacks by Islamic militants. Evangelical churches in Baghdad and Basra are also targets of violence by radical Islamic groups and non-Christian leaders, and face discrimination by the authorities. Christians with a Muslim background experience most pressure from family members and often keep their faith a secret. They risk losing inheritance rights and the right or means to marry. Leaving Islam can even be risky in the more moderate Islamic IKR. Changing church affiliation (e.g. by moving from an Orthodox to an Evangelical congregation) is often punished by refusal of rights. Leaders of Orthodox and Catholic churches have been known to refuse to perform marriages for members attending Evangelical churches.

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani POPULATION 42,165,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 164,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Republic

Context Christians

Number of adherents 164,000

Muslims

41,143,000

97.6

Agnostics

212,000

0.5

Others

562,220

1.3

Main Religions

Percentage 0.4

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Authoritarian leader Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003 by a US-led military campaign. In the ensuing power vacuum, sectarian violence flared up, particularly between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Christians were caught in the crossfire. Anti-Western and radical Islamic sentiments increased following the 2003 Anglo-American invasion, which contributed to

religious freedom violations against Iraqi Christians. A stream of refugees started leaving the country, exacerbated by the proclamation of an Islamic State caliphate in June 2014. After large parts of IS territory were reconquered in 2016, Christians started to return to the liberated, previously majority-Christian towns close to Mosul, such as Qaraqosh. In December 2017, the then-Prime Minister declared Iraqi forces had driven IS from Iraqi territory. However, IS influence remains in the region. The political representation of Christians is very low (1-3%). Several Shiite parties have warm relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Baghdad government is puts pressure on the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to become increasingly Islamic. Islam is the state religion and no law may contravene Islamic tenets. There is an atmosphere of instability and fragility, given the sectarian conflict fought in parliament and on the streets. Though Iraq is an

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

ethnically and religiously diverse nation, society is becoming more fragmented and Islamized. As the Christian population dwindles, so do their freedoms. This includes more monitoring, the closing of shops during Ramadan and pressure on Christian women to veil themselves. There are more than 40 militias of different sizes, which contribute to insecurity for all Christians and violations against converts from Islam to Christianity. The major player in the current situation in Iraqi Kurdistan is Turkey. In 2022, Turkey continued its military operations in northern Iraq, preventing Christians from returning to their villages. The majority of Iraq’s Christians are Chaldean Catholics; almost 20% are members of the Assyrian Church of the East. There are approximately 2,000 registered members of Evangelical churches in the IKR. Symbolic political steps, such as the introduction of Christmas as a national holiday in December 2018, were opposed by Islamic authorities including the Grand Mufti of Baghdad, who said in a sermon that Muslims were not permitted to celebrate Christian holidays like Christmas.

How the situation varies by region Most Christians in Iraq live in the north of the country, in Kurdistan. Few Christians are left in Baghdad and Basra. The situation is particularly difficult for Christians in the south and center of the country. Christians have left most of the provinces, except for small groups of converts with a Muslim background. Violations against converts, particularly in the form of Islamic and clan oppression, tend to be stronger in Arab than Kurdish areas.

university, workplaces or government buildings. It is not uncommon for Christians in the IKR to depict Christian symbols without any problems. Converts to Christianity This category consists of Christians from a Muslim background or cross-denominational converts from a historical Christian community background who now worship in non-traditional Christian communities. Converts from Islam experience most pressure from their (extended) family. They often keep their new faith a secret, as they risk being threatened by their family members, tribal leaders and society. Changing church (from an Orthodox to an Evangelical congregation, for example) is also often punished by refusing rights or losing employment. Non-traditional Christian communities Evangelical, Baptist and Pentecostal churches in Baghdad and Basra are seriously affected by violations from radical Islamic movements and non-Christian leaders, including discrimination from the authorities. Outspoken Christians have regularly become targets in central and southern Iraq. Blasphemy laws can be used against them if they are suspected of carrying out outreach among Muslims. For Evangelicals, there is no legal framework for setting up a Bible school or for recruiting and registering organizations from outside Iraq to support this.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Churches such as the Assyrian Orthodox Church, the Chaldean Catholic or Syrian Catholic Church and the Armenian Church are all seriously affected by violations by radical Islamic movements and non-Christian religious leaders. They also face discrimination from government authorities. In central and southern Iraq, Christians often do not publicly display Christian symbols like a cross as this can lead to harassment or discrimination at checkpoints,

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Christians in Iraq experience Islamic oppression from Sunni and Shia Muslims irrespective of their ethnicity (Kurdish, Iranian, and Arab). The influence of Islamic militants has made Islamic consciousness a new factor in the country, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) in the north. In the Iraqi and Kurdish governments, the role of Islam is increasing due to regional developments. Several Shia parties have close relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Christian converts with a Muslim background, in particular, have reported being monitored by Iranian secret services in areas close to the Iranian border. In general, Iraqi society is becoming more Islamic. Islamic dogma and rhetoric rule daily life, and Islamic leaders (especially Shiites) continue to influence social, religious and political life. This is reflected in social norms and practices affecting everyone in Iraq, and becomes a benchmark for non-Muslims. Social control of women is on the rise, and even Christian women in Baghdad and Basra are forced to cover up in order to move around safely outside their homes. Clan oppression: Iraqi society remains very tribal, especially in areas disrupted by sectarian violence (mostly in territory previously controlled by IS). Where this tribalism is mixed with Islam, it will especially affect Christians with a Muslim background. Ethnic and tribal groups have at times formed parties that have had exclusivist agendas.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Christians are an easy target. Compliance with the tribes’ age-old customs and traditions is often more important than adherence to government law, as tribes are usually above the law. Dictatorial paranoia: Successive Iraqi central governments have aimed to stay in power whatever the cost, leading to failure to support a pluralistic society where religious minorities feel welcome. Christians in the IKR have complained about the alleged exploitation of the electoral law in the 2018 parliamentary elections, when Kurdish and Shia parties took the five quota seats reserved for Christians on the National Council and put forward Christian candidates that were not chosen by Christian parties. Government officials at all levels are reported to threaten Christians and ‘encourage’ them to emigrate. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption is rampant across Iraq, and Christians are exploited in this way. In many majority-Islamic areas, Christians can often only sell their houses for 60% of its value. Land belonging to Christians has been seized and at least 70% of the properties left behind by Christians fleeing the country have been illegally seized by organized criminal groups, especially in Baghdad. The COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated this state of chaos and corruption.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Christian women regularly suffer from unequal treatment in Iraqi society. Single Christian girls have also reportedly been “lured” by Muslim men, who then force them to convert and enter marriage. In some areas, Christian women choose to wear veils for their own safety, as unveiled women may be harassed or even pelted with stones. There is general impunity for violations against Christians, be it kidnapping, rape or sexual abuse. Converts from Islam are vulnerable to house arrest, beatings, sexual harassment and ‘honor’ killings. Single converts may be forcibly married to convert and marry. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied the legal ability to marry a Christian spouse Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Targeted seduction Violence – death Violence – physical

• •

Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Christians often struggle to find employment and allegedly feel vulnerable to exploitation in workplaces. As men are often the primary family providers, job loss can have a considerable effect. Converts from a Muslim background are particularly vulnerable to violations. In a culture that prizes honor, they risk being ejected from their families, threatened or killed. These factors increase the already strong motivations for emigration. Church leaders are also persecuted; while there were no known instances of abductions or killings of leaders in the past reporting period, it remains a possibility. • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Iraq’s score is down two points compared to WWL 2022. The main reason for this was fewer reported incidents involving violence. Overall pressure for Christians remains high. Many face physical abuse, are forced from their homes, have their properties damaged or confiscated, and dozens are still missing in situations that are faith-related.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

March 2022: A female Kurdish convert was murdered weeks after she announced her new faith on social media and was preparing for baptism.

•

About 62 Christians are missing under a “context of persecution”. For most, their disappearance is related to IS and dates back to the time of their rule. WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians abducted

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

10*

100*

2022

10*

Private life Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background are in danger if they reveal their faith or meet with other Christians. They would be accused of apostasy and treason. In general, Christians who talk to non-Christians about their faith risk allegations of proselytization and possible harassment and violence. Indigenous Christians may wear and display Christian symbols, except if they live in very conservative Islamic communities. Family life Female converts to Christianity from Islam are not recognized as Christian and cannot legally marry nonMuslim men. This issue has been exacerbated by those who were forced to convert to Islam by IS militants, including Christians who are now considered Muslims. They had to appear in court to declare their conversion to Islam, and all legal and social records were then amended. According to Article 26 of the 2015 National Identity Card Law, children under 18 with one Muslim parent will be registered as Muslim, even if the child was born as a result of a non-Muslim woman being raped by a Muslim man. In divorce cases, custody will likely go to the Muslim parent. Children considered Muslim are obliged to receive Islamic religious education. By law, all schools (including Christian ones) must give regular Islamic classes with exams; failing these exams means failing to move up in grades. Community life Christian women are pressurized to cover their heads in Baghdad, Basra and even sometimes in

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

the north. Christian students have complained that some Muslim university professors intentionally set exams during Christian festivals. Assyrian schools have claimed they are discriminated against and do not receive the full funding they are entitled to. Education is Islam-centered and hardly considers the contributions of ‘other’ communities to Iraq’s history. This engenders a mentality of Christians being subordinate to Muslims. Some of the official teaching syllabus, in governmental schools and universities, even define Christians as infidels and enemies and incite jihad against them. The online application for a national identity card requests the information of the person’s religion, and the data chip on the card still contains data on religion. This has resulted in discrimination against Christians in employment. Christians hold some senior positions in the national parliament and government, but are generally underrepresented in both. Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background are likely to lose their jobs as soon as their new faith becomes known. National life According to its constitution, Iraq is an Islamic country, and no laws can be issued that are contrary to Islam. The law allows conversion to Islam, but does not permit nor recognize conversion from Islam to other religions or beliefs. According to personal status law, in a marriage where one spouse is Muslim, the right to divorce, child custody and inheritance goes almost automatically to the Muslim spouse. In general, Christians are not allowed to reach the highest ranks in certain institutions, such as the armed forces. They have

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

sometimes been challenged to become Muslim in order to receive promotion. Christians are regularly subjected to hate speech and smear campaigns online, on national TV stations and by radical Islamic groups. Most of the perpetrators of crimes against Christians are not held accountable. The central government cannot control militias, particularly in the Nineveh Plains. In spite of the large number of Christian properties being seized (an estimated 78% of all properties belonging to Christians who left the country), the number of those brought to justice is nominal. Church life Youth work is only allowed inside church buildings and involves Christian youth. It is not possible for Christian converts with an Islamic background to be integrated into their local church, except in some Kurdish churches in the IKR. For security reasons, they often leave their hometown and move to the anonymity of a large city or leave the country. Church monitoring is reported mainly by the newer denominations.

International obligations & rights violated Iraq has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Iraq is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

•

Christian converts from Islam are killed because of their new faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

The law prohibits conversion from Islam (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian converts lose custody of their children and inheritance rights (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Children of Christian converts are registered as Muslims and forced to receive Islamic education (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christian female converts are forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Situation of other religious minorities Other religious minorities facing persecution, discrimination and intolerance in Iraq are Yezidis, Sunnis, Kakai, Sabaean-Mandaeans, Baha’i, Zoroastrians and Jews. Yezidis in particular have suffered horrendous atrocities, initially under IS and now by Turkey, which has conducted a series of air strikes in the Yezidi Sinjar region. In 2021, seven years after the IS genocide, around 3,000 Yazidi women, girls and boys were still missing and many of them may have been trafficked for sex, labor or terrorism.

Open Doors in Iraq In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors is supporting the Church in Iraq through the following activities:

•

Presence ministry

•

Training (trauma training, biblical training, training church leaders and Muslimbackground believers)

•

Bible and Christian literature distribution and supporting Kurdish translations

•

Socio-economic development projects (such as microloans for IDPs)

•

Structural aid (such as church repairs/equipment and church activities)

•

Crisis relief (rebuilding houses and churches, north Iraq)

•

Prayer support

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 IRAQ

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

4.8

PRIVATE LIFE

14.1

FAMILY LIFE

14.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.5

NATIONAL LIFE

13.7

CHURCH LIFE

15.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The major sources of religious freedom violations are society, radical Islamic teachers and state officials who adhere to the views of such teachers. Algerian Christians, most of whom are converts from Islam, face violations especially from family members and the wider community, including local ethnic leaders and elders. State officials at various levels exert pressure to restrict Christians’ freedom and encourage them to renounce their faith. There are laws that regulate non-Muslim worship, including a legal prohibition on anything that would “shake the faith of a Muslim” or be used as a “means of seduction intended to convert a Muslim to another religion”. Christians also suffer discrimination and harassment as family members and neighbors try to force converts to adhere to Islamic norms. The pressure and danger faced by Christians is particularly high in the rural and religiously more conservative parts of the country. Christians are prosecuted and imprisoned on blasphemy and proselytizing charges. Many churches remain sealed.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Algeria

Quick facts LEADER President Abdelmadjid Tebboune POPULATION 45,350,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 139,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context Main Religions Christians Muslims Agnostics Others

Number of adherents 139,000 44,571,000 606,000 14,400

Percentage 0.3 98.3 1.3 0.0

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Algeria is a constitutional semi-presidential republic, in which the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. However, Algeria is de facto being led by its powerful army and a select group of powerful businessmen and politicians, known as “Le Pouvoir” (the Power). For this reason, Algeria is rated as an authoritarian and not free country. A referendum on a newly drafted Constitution was held on 1 November 2020. However, a record low turnout (23.8%) demonstrates that Algerians were not optimistic about real political change. Ordinance 06-03, passed in March 2006, severely limits non-Muslim worship. The government has not registered any new churches since its enforcement, so Christians continue to meet in private homes or business properties. This is forbidden, with a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of 300,000 DA (3,000 Euros). From November 2017 onwards, the ordinance has been used to close at

least 17 churches affiliated with the Algerian Protestant Church Association (EPA), the umbrella organization for Protestant churches in Algeria. Government control of both social media and other methods of communication is strict. Christians sharing their faith online can face pressure. Several Christians are currently in prison under blasphemy and proselytizing charges. Algerian Christians experience discrimination because of their faith while looking for employment in both the private and public spheres. As a result of Algeria’s patriarchal Islamic norms, both men and women face significant pressure if their Christian faith is discovered. Men are driven out of their homes, while women are at the receiving end of domestic violence. An estimated 98.2% of Algerians are Muslim, almost all of them Sunni. Most Christians are converts from Islam. The EPA was officially recognized by the government in 1974. Its member churches are required to obtain their own registration. None of them has succeeded in doing this. In 2013, the EPA had to re-apply for recognition after a new non-governmental organization (NGO) law was introduced. However, the government has still not responded to this application, leaving the EPA in legal limbo. The Constitution bans non-Muslims from holding high-level government positions. Because Algeria’s Constitution and government forbid activities ‘that are contrary to the country’s values or public morals’, non-Muslim and non-religious groups must keep a low profile in order to avoid persecution, discrimination and intolerance.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Most Christians live in the Kabyle region in the north of Algeria. The Kabyle people are a Berber ethnic group and speak their own Berber language, in contrast to other Algerians with an Arab background. The Kabyles were discriminated against and neglected by the Algerian government for many years, which created an environment for the Christian community to develop, although pressure from both the government and society remains strong. In the Arab part of the country, especially the south, circumstances are difficult for Christians and there are very few churches. Violent Islamic militants do not have a wide support base among the people, but Islam holds a firm grip over the country, also due to the growth of the Salafist movement.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This group includes sub-Saharan migrant Christians and some western expatriate Christians. SubSaharan African Christian students sometimes face discrimination at universities and in day-to-day life in the cities. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church faces restrictions outside places of worship, but churches are allowed to exist where registered. Catholic churches (including the cathedral in Algiers, the seat of the Archbishop) can conduct services without government interference. Converts to Christianity The vast majority of Christians in Algeria are converts from a Muslim background, and they face discrimination and ongoing pressure from the state and family members. Since the law prohibits public assembly for the purpose of practicing a faith other than Islam, except for registered churches, these converts usually congregate in private homes for religious services. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Islam has a significant influence on Algeria’s government, which translates into restrictions on the freedom of Christians. Islamist pressure on government and society, in combination with pressure from family members on Christian converts from a Muslim background, has led to persistent difficulties for Christians. Islamist groups are exerting pressure on a government that cannot risk losing popularity by deviating from Islamic convictions held by its citizens. Although the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) is still banned, Islamists are becoming more visible, and they monitor the activities of Christians and other non-Muslim minorities (such as the small Jewish and Baha’i communities). Dictatorial paranoia: This is evident in the autocratic nature of Algeria’s government, which imposes restrictions on Christians. With a further number of church closures and the use of physical violence against Christian demonstrators, it seems that the government has increased its pressure on the church. The motives for this new wave of violence are unknown, but some of the government’s measures could be seen as attempts to appease the Islamist segment of society. Furthermore, the anti-colonial and revolutionary roots of the ruling party, which has been in power since independence, provide it with an ideological perspective that makes it suspicious of Christian missionary activities. This is especially the case when activities are allied to churches and Christian groups in the West. Clan oppression: Islamic oppression forms the root course of family and community pressure on converts to Christianity, but especially in the Arab part of the country notions like “the protection of the family honor” do play an important role as well. With the support of local (village) elders, pressure is exerted by both direct family members and in a later stage the whole

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

community to force the convert to renounce the new faith and adhere to the traditional values of both the family and community. In urban areas, the influence of the elders is waning and there is often no wider community to exert pressure. However, family pressure often remains high. Ethno-religious hostility: Most Algerian Christians are found in the Kabyle region, which is located in the northern part of the country. Since independence, there has been political tension between this region and the central government in Algeria. Issues of ethnic identity, culture and language figure prominently in the difficult relationship between the government and residents of the Kabyle region, most of whom are ethnic Berbers while the dominant ethnic identity in the country is Arab. Ethnic tension and antagonism also spill into religious life and contribute to freedom of religion violations against Christians in the Kabyle region. ©Unsplash

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Algerian women are generally disadvantaged in law and society, compounding the pressures that Christian women experience for their faith. They face job loss, harassment at work or school, sexual assault and death threats (particularly if unveiled). Female converts face severe violations from family, including beatings, threats, house arrest and forced marriage or divorce. In addition to restricting women’s access to meaningful community, families also prevent converts from accessing Christian radio or television channels. Considering this pressure and violence, many female converts opt to hide their faith and live as secret believers. • • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community/networks Denied custody of children Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code; Forced divorce Forced marriage; Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

MEN Algerian Christian men regularly experience community and economic pressure, facing harassment in workplaces and communal spaces. As men are the main providers in Algerian families, losing work can have a crippling effect on the whole family, creating fear and a sense of helplessness. While not common, men are also more likely to be detained, which also affects their ability to work. Families are often the source of additional violations, such as physical beatings and threats. They suffer ostracism and rejection not just from their families, but from the wider community too. • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community/networks Economic harassment via work/job/business Forced out of home – expulsion Forced to flee town/country Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – verbal

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

19 22 24 17 22

73 71 70 73 70

The score for Algeria increased by 2 points in WWL 2023 compared to WWL 2022. Growing government restrictions and increasing pressure on the church has resulted in a higher score. Four new churches received orders to close and ceased activities during the reporting period, in addition to the 16 churches closed earlier. Furthermore, Christians were prosecuted and sentenced on charges ranging from “practicing worship without prior approval”, “shaking the faith of a Muslim” to “poisoning the minds of youths”. Pressure remained at a very high level (or above) in all spheres of life.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

April 2022: The church of “Aouchiche” in Bejaia was informed it had to cease gathering for worship immediately, following an administrative closure order issued by the governor on 21 March 2022.

•

Several other churches were told to cease activities.

•

More than 15 Christians were arrested and prosecuted on different charges ranging from “proselytism” to “practicing worship without prior approval”.

•

At least 10 Christians faced physical and mental abuse from their family members, as well as from the government. Several Christians had to relocate because of these pressures. WWL Year

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to flee their countries

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

2023

10*

2022

10*

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

Private life Christians who openly share their faith on social media risk being prosecuted on charges of proselytism or blasphemy and face reprisals from their communities. Christians are careful not to display symbols such as crosses, as hostility towards Christians is common. Algeria’s anti-proselytism and blasphemy laws affect the freedom of Christians to privately share their beliefs, even with immediate family members. Under Ordinance 06-03, proselytizing is a criminal act that carries a prison sentence of between one and three years. Family life Religious education, based on Islamic principles, is mandatory in all public primary and secondary schools. In many cases, the Muslim husband or wife of a convert will want a divorce or will be forced into it by family members. Children will be kept away from the convert. Adoption is only permitted for Muslims. If a child’s father is a Muslim, the government considers the child Muslim. Converts are still considered Muslim by the government, and their children, too. Community life Monitoring of individuals, especially Christians, occurs regularly. Those in leadership positions are likely to have their phones tapped and e-mails read. Gathering outside of church buildings as Christians is illegal and churches will be hindered if they do. This pressure is less intense in the Kabyle region, although Christianity faces opposition in all parts of the country. Christian school children living in more conservative Islamic

areas must hide their faith, or they face discrimination from teachers and restricted access to universities. This is especially true for children of known converts. Similarly, converts will hide their faith or face discrimination when applying for a job. Christians, whether converts or not, do not have access to senior positions in government. National life Islam is the state religion according to Algeria’s Constitution, and government institutions have to act in accordance with Islamic values. Christians have been discriminated against when engaging with the authorities, especially if the Christian is a convert or an immigrant from sub-Saharan Africa. Previous slight improvements in some places in the Kabyle region, where, for example, some children have been registered with a Christian name, are becoming more difficult again. Converts from Islam to Christianity can suffer violations from their family members, who carry them out with impunity, since the government regards domestic abuse as a family issue. Church life Christian gatherings continue to be closed, and the government is increasingly trying to undermine the church in different ways. Churches are not allowed to organize activities among Muslim youth and minors are not allowed to attend a church alone; an adult always has to be present. Printing Christian materials is forbidden under Ordinance 06-03. It is difficult for foreign Christians to obtain a visa and visit Algerian churches due to constant monitoring.

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Algeria has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Algeria is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian leaders are monitored and their activities actively watched (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Churches are arbitrarily closed by the Government (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 20)

•

Christian women and girls are raped and sexually abused because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 7)

•

Christians cannot discuss their faith with non-Christians or proselytize (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christians cannot adopt children or serve as foster parents (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christians are falsely accused and charged of blasphemy (ICCPR Art. 19)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

Situation of other religious minorities Algerian Jews, Ahmadiyya and Shia Muslims face varying levels of pressure and violence. The Ahmadiyya face more severe violations, including criminal charges for ‘denigrating the dogma or precepts of Islam’. They face hostility from public officials and are denied their right to form associations. In addition, atheists and those who openly question Sunni Islamic doctrine are likely to face hostilities in Algeria.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Algeria Open Doors raises prayer support for believers in Algeria.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ALGERIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.3

PRIVATE LIFE

14.5

FAMILY LIFE

14.2

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.3

NATIONAL LIFE

14.1

CHURCH LIFE

14.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts from Islam to Christianity face severe opposition from their own families and society. This restrictive environment makes it impossible for them to openly conduct religious services. Public expressions of faith by non-Mauritanian Christians (including migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia) also carry the risk of being viewed as proselytization of Muslims, and can lead to imprisonment and deportation.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Mauritania

Quick facts LEADER President Mohamed Cheikh el Ghazouani POPULATION 4,902,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 11,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©Unsplash

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

11,000

0.2

Muslims

4,865,000

99.2

Ethno-religionists

20,100

0.4

Agnostics

4,800

0.1

Source2

Mauritania is one of the world’s poorest countries, despite being rich in mineral resources. Culture is traditional and tribal at its core. The continued practice of slavery is one of the major causes of social division and acrimony; white Moors and Berbers are of Arab descent, while most slaves, called Haratines or black Moors, are of ethnic African descent. Almost all political and economic power is in the hands of the white Moors, which means the majority of society (70%) remains significantly marginalized. Violent Islamist militants are particularly active in the eastern border regions of the country. Kidnapping by militants or other criminal groups is a risk throughout the country, especially for foreigners, although the west of the country around the capital Nouakchott is generally safer.

The country’s full name is the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; most Mauritanians are Sunni Muslim. The influence of radical Islamic groups is strong. Christianity is viewed as a condemnable western influence and government hostility towards Christians, especially converts, is high. In theory, the punishment for leaving Islam is the death sentence, though there are no known examples of this being applied in recent years. Most Christians in the country are foreigners, mainly from neighboring Sub-Saharan African countries. They enjoy limited religious freedom and can attend worship services, but only in designated compounds. Any outreach to Mauritanians, who are all supposed to be Muslim, is strictly forbidden. The number of Mauritanian converts from Islam to Christianity remains low. They experience extremely high levels of family, societal and governmental pressure.

How the situation varies by region Tribal and family ties are especially strict in rural areas, but even in the capital city, Nouakchott, the pressure on Christians can be high. Generally, the pressure is lower in the southern border region with Senegal. Violent Islamist groups, like al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), are particularly active in the eastern border regions of the country.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Roman Catholic expatriates from sub-Saharan Africa make up the largest group, followed by Protestants, and Evangelicals from countries south of Mauritania. There is a small Western Christian presence. African migrant Christians lead a precarious existence due both to ethnic prejudice and pressure related to the Islamic extremism in the country. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Christian converts from a Muslim background are very exposed to targeted pressure and violence from Islamist groups, extended family, and the community. In this nomadic society, communal interdependence is necessary for survival. Converts lose their status in their community if their conversion becomes public knowledge, so most try to hide their faith. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Non-Muslims experience violations, particularly at the hands of society and Islamist groups. Large numbers of Mauritanians have joined violent radical Islamist groups in North Africa, as well as in Syria and Iraq. While the government attempts to counter Islamist militancy and extremism, it simultaneously tightened the apostasy and blasphemy law in 2018. Converts from Islam to Christianity suffer the most severe violations from family and society. Clan oppression/ethno-religious hostility: Tribal and racial tensions are intertwined in this very conservative country. Conversion to Christianity is seen as “dishonorable” to society and results in harassment or violence. Slavery continues to exist and is linked both to ethnicity and religion. The campaign against slavery has triggered a hostile reaction from Islamists in the country. Christian sub-Saharan Africans living in the country face a mixture of both religious and racial discrimination. Organized corruption and crime: Tribal affiliation, religious and personal relationships are very important in Mauritanian society. Nepotism, clientelism, and other forms of corruption are widespread. A small number of powerful businessmen related to white Moor tribes control most of the economy. Journalists investigating corruption involving state authorities are often intimidated, detained and accused of defamation (BTI Mauritania 2020, p.12). Christians have little hope of obtaining stable employment or earning an honest income in such a climate. Dictatorial paranoia: Mauritania’s government has been struggling to maintain stability and legitimacy. As such, reducing “Christianizing” influences is often used as a political expedient to shore up government power and popularity. Christianity is often equated with Westernization and colonialism, and is viewed by the government as a foreign threat.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Within Mauritania’s tribal society, women are subject to the authority of fathers and husbands, making female converts the most vulnerable. They may be deprived of food, bullied, put under house arrest, or forced into excruciating servitude. The presence of modern-day slavery makes ruthless detention and exploitation of female converts more likely – and very hidden. Most women do not have a choice in marriage and may be forced to marry a Muslim man. Married female converts can easily be divorced with no means to survive, and polygamy is still practiced. • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied food or water Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Male Christian converts bring shame upon their family. They are likely to be ostracized, expelled from their home, and physically abused. Some choose to flee; if conversion is confirmed, charges of apostasy can be brought in a religious court. Some have also been imprisoned for anti-terrorism and cybercrime offenses, charged for “undermining national security by insulting

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

Islam and threatening Mauritania’s sacred principles”. Guilty verdicts can result in long prison sentences and high fines. A strong “Arabization” movement means many sub-Saharan African Christians are pressured to leave or face many difficulties. • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home – expulsion Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Mauritania’s score increased by two points compared to WWL 2022. This was mainly caused by a slight increase in reported pressure. Average pressure in virtually all spheres of life remains extremely high, mainly due to the very severe pressure that converts from Islam to Christianity face in the country.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period Several incidents took place, affecting both indigenous and expatriate Christians in the country. However, few details can be provided due to security concerns. •

Baptisms can only be carried out in secret, and many converts from Islam are reluctant to be baptized, fearing discovery and charges of apostasy being brought against them.

•

Converts that are discovered by their families often feel pressured into leaving the country. WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

10*

2022

10*

Private life It is often risky for Christians to reveal their faith. Expatriate Christians, especially those from a sub-Saharan background, are likely to face discrimination and abuse if publicly identified as a Christian. They may be accused of proselytism. Baptisms can only be carried out in secret and many converts from Islam are reluctant to be baptized; they fear discovery, which may mean charges of apostasy are brought against them. Conversion from Islam is legally prohibited, and those perceived to be critical of Islam risk the death penalty. While this law is largely symbolic, it remains a significant threat to Christian converts from a Muslim background. Family life All Mauritanians and their children are automatically considered Muslim and registered as such. Christian children must attend Islamic classes at public school and are more likely to face discrimination and harassment. Conversion to Christianity is grounds for divorce in Mauritania, and a parent whose conversion becomes public may lose custody of their children.

It is heightened by the fact that Mauritanian society is divided along ethnic lines, and its economy and government are steeped in corruption and clientelism. Expatriate Christians from a sub-Saharan background are discriminated against because of both the color of their skin and their faith. National life Mauritania has a criminal law that sanctions capital punishment for apostasy and blasphemy. Christians must operate carefully to make sure their words are not construed as criticism of Islam or the government. Church life Due to the legacy of French colonial rule, only the Roman Catholic Church has legal status and is allowed to maintain public buildings. However, the Catholic Church does allow Evangelicals to use a space within the main church compound for worship in the diocese of Nouakchott. As proselytism is strictly forbidden, expatriate churches are not allowed to welcome a Muslim inside the church building, let alone integrate a convert from Islam to Christianity into their community.

Community life There is extreme communal pressure against Mauritanians who do not follow Sunni Islam. Violations can take the form of ostracization, social discrimination, economic exclusion or even violence.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

International obligations & rights violated Mauritania has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Mauritania is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Mauritanians who convert to Christianity face imprisonment and inhumane treatment while detained (ICCPR Arts. 7, 9 and 18)

•

Female Christian converts face the threat of forced marriage to Muslim men, even before they become of age, to pressure them to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Christian children must attend Islamic religious classes at public school and face discrimination and pressure because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christian converts are excluded from accessing communal resources and their businesses boycotted (ICCPR Art. 26 and ICESCR Art. 11)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities There is a very small but growing Shia Muslim minority in Mauritania. The Mauritanian government has historically had warm diplomatic relations with Iran and was hesitant to target Shia Muslims. However, in 2018 a Shia religious center was closed down. Sunni religious leaders in the country have increasingly vocalized their denunciations of the minority group, calling for the government to impose restrictions.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Mauritania Open Doors is supporting the Church in North Africa through: •

Training

•

Literature distribution

•

Socio-economic development

•

Advocacy

Open Doors raises prayer support for believers in difficult situations.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MAURITANIA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.5

PRIVATE LIFE

14.9

FAMILY LIFE

12.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.9

NATIONAL LIFE

12.7

CHURCH LIFE

15.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings All Christians experience some form of pressure and violence on the grounds of their faith. Russian Orthodox churches experience the fewest problems from the government, as they do not usually attempt to make contact with the Uzbek population. It is the indigenous Christian converts with a Muslim background who most often experience violations from the state, family, and community. Where churches have not been registered, Christians suffer from police raids, threats, arrests, and fines.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Uzbekistan

non-governmental organizations (NGOs) claim the government continues to torture people arrested and jailed on suspicion of religious extremism or for participating in underground Islamic activity.

Quick facts LEADER President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Although Uzbekistan’s main religion is Islam, predominantly Sunni, it would be incorrect to call Uzbekistan a Muslim country. Seventy years of atheism during the Soviet era have left a deep influence and the secular government keeps Islam under tight control, with citizens following Islamic culture rather than adhering strictly to Islamic teachings. The small Christian minority is weak due to much division between the various denominations.

POPULATION 34,382,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 351,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Authoritarian Presidential Republic

How the situation varies by region

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

351,000

1.0

Muslims

32,877,000

95.6

Agnostics

831,000

2.4

Atheists

217,000

0.6

Source2

In Uzbekistan, all power rests in the hands of President Mirziyoyev (who has ruled since 2016) and opposition movements and independent media are banned. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCRIF) designated Uzbekistan a “Country of Particular Concern” during 2006-2017, after which it was moved to the Special Watch List category in light of progress on religious freedom. In July 2021, new changes were made in the law on “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”. The registration process for religious organizations has been made easier, while criminal punishment is still retained for unregistered religious activity. Official approval of the content, production, distribution, and storage of religious publications is still mandated by the law. Proselytism and other missionary activities are declared illegal. The law retains restrictions on private religious education. Whilst registered churches have seen slight improvements, the situation has not changed for other groups, especially converts with a Muslim background. Christians are targeted for raids, arrests, and oppression. Some

The level of pressure by government officials in Uzbekistan is the same across the country. Pressure from family and the community on converts is stronger outside urban areas, especially in the Fergana Valley.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The Russian Orthodox Church abides by the limitations set out by the government and is therefore left more or less undisturbed. Church services may be monitored but they are conducted unhindered, and members can meet without fear of arrest. However, the printing or import of Christian materials is restricted. Converts to Christianity Christian converts from a Muslim background suffer severe violations from the state and pressure from family and community. Non-traditional Christian communities After converts, this category of Christians is the second most targeted group, especially when the churches have not been registered. Evangelical and Pentecostal groups suffer from raids, threats, arrests, and fines.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 UZBEKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia: No religious activities beyond state-controlled institutions are allowed. Protestants are frequently branded as “extremists” and it is thought their aim is to spy on and destroy the current political system. From this perspective, Protestants need not only to be controlled but, if necessary, eradicated. Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: If indigenous (Muslim) citizens convert to Christianity, they are likely to experience pressure and occasionally physical violence from their families and the local community to force them to return to their former faith. Some converts are locked up by their families, beaten, and even expelled from their communities. Local mullahs preach against them, adding pressure. As a result, most converts will do their best to hide their faith.

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Traditional Islamic culture and patriarchal norms place women lower than men and subservient within the family context. Women are not free to choose their own religion and face severe opposition to conversion. Incarceration by a convert’s family (i.e., house arrest) remains a common and socially accepted form of putting female converts under pressure. Access to social networks, specifically Christian networks, is restricted in the hope that the convert will return to Islam. Abduction, forced divorce, and forced marriage are common, with sexual violence within marriage often under-acknowledged and normalized. • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Church leaders, who are mostly men, are common targets for rights violations. They can be fined, detained, denied exit visas, or put under house arrest. This is a deliberate tactic, creating a ripple effect of fear throughout their congregations. Leaders of unregistered churches in particular are insulted, beaten and humiliated. Christian men face continual inequality;

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

they are denied promotions, lose jobs and endure state monitoring. Local Muslim communities will obstruct Christian businesses, and mandatory military service exposes men to harassment. Male converts face verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. • • • • • • • • • •

Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Economic harassment via fines Incarceration by family / house arrest Imprisonment by the government Military/militia conscription / service against conscience Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 UZBEKISTAN

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The score of 71 points is the same as in WWL 2022. The score went down in the Community sphere of life, stayed the same in the Private and Family spheres, and went slightly up in the National and Church spheres. The slight decrease in the level of violence compensated for that. The two main persecution engines in Uzbekistan (Dictatorial paranoia and Islamic oppression, blended with Clan oppression) are active in all spheres of life, but Islamic oppression (blended with Clan oppression) dominates in the Private and Family spheres of life, while Dictatorial paranoia dominates in the National and Church spheres of life. Both engines meet each other in the Community sphere. Muslim families, friends, and villagers exert pressure on converts in particular, while the government imposes many restrictions on church activities.

©Alamy

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Christians attacked: According to sources, at least 48 converts to Christianity have been abused and beaten by their families and villagers.

•

Christian properties damaged: Neighbors destroyed a greenhouse of a Christian couple during the current reporting period.

•

Christians expelled from their homes: According to our sources, a couple and their son were forced to leave their home.

•

Christians expelled from the country: According to our sources, a missionary couple with their four children were forced to leave Uzbekistan.

These incidents were reported by local sources. Further, more specific details cannot be given for security reasons. WWL Year

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced to flee their countries

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

2023

2022

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 UZBEKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Private life It is already very risky for a convert to discuss their Christian faith in society, including with members of the family. The state views such conversations as evangelism, which is punishable by arrest and imprisonment. Discovery of the possession of Christian materials can lead to family exile, community harassment, violence, and government arrest. Family life Most Uzbekistanis are Muslims. As a result, wider Muslim society (family, friends, community) will pressurize children of converts to receive Islamic teaching. On the other hand, anti-religious propaganda is foisted on students at schools and universities. Alienated and treated as hostile both by extended family and the state, the only place for converts to provide Christian teaching to their children is at home, since all youth work through churches is illegal. Community life Christians are under constant siege from both wider Islamic society and the secular state. Converts are monitored by their families, community, and police, who regularly stop and search them to ensure intimidation. Protestant groups are actively reported to the government and are often victims of police raids, fines, arrests, and violence. National life The law requires religious groups to register with the government, and it declares the religious activities of unregistered groups to be illegal. The law also restricts public speech and proselytism, censors religious literature and limits the possession of religious materials in private homes. Raids on Christians’ homes have resulted in a combination of fines, corrective labor, and prison sentences.

International obligations & rights violated Uzbekistan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Uzbekistan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are killed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Churches from non-traditional denominations are raided, services disrupted, and attendees are arbitrarily arrested (ICCPR Arts. 9; 18 and 21)

The authorities can generally expect to act with impunity. Harm caused to converts and Christians accused of evangelism by the Muslim community will almost certainly happen with impunity.

•

Ownership and consultation of religious literature is severely restricted beyond international permitted limitations (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

Church life Religious work among youth and minors, including Sunday schools, is strictly prohibited.

•

Christians and their activities are monitored by the authorities and the surrounding community (ICCPR Art. 17)

The criminal code punishes proselytism with up to three years in prison (source: International Religious Freedom Report for 2017 Uzbekistan). It is therefore dangerous for churches to openly accept converts.

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being abducted and forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 UZBEKISTAN

Situation of other religious minorities All religious groups, including Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, and Baha’is suffer under a very high level of state surveillance and oppression. The Council for Religious Affairs (CRA) is pivotal in this.

©Unsplash

Open Doors in Uzbekistan Open Doors provides immediate aid to Central Asian believers when they are placed in prison, excluded from families and communities, and deprived of livelihood and employment because of their faith in Christ. We strengthen the persecuted church in Central Asia primarily through:

•

Literature distribution

•

Prayer support

•

Biblical training

•

Children / youth training

•

Women’s ministry

•

Advocacy and awareness training (SSTS)

•

Presence ministry

•

Medical ministry

•

Vocational training

•

Social-economic development projects

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 UZBEKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.4

PRIVATE LIFE

11.8

FAMILY LIFE

8.9

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.1

NATIONAL LIFE

11.3

CHURCH LIFE

10.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Church leaders are being threatened, extorted, and even murdered as a result of increased territorial control and violence. This is perpetrated by guerrillas and other criminal groups, especially in the most neglected areas of the country. In most cases, this violence is the direct result of Christians being involved in activities such as: denouncing corruption and violence; working to defend human and environmental rights; working with the youth; assisting in the restoration of peace; opposing criminal activities in sermons; any kind of action defying the ‘de facto’ authority of local criminal groups which might endanger their illegal activities. In indigenous communities, there is significant opposition towards Christian missionaries and converts, who, as a result, face imprisonment, physical abuse, and denial of basic rights. Christians among these communities, who do not follow the traditional/ancestral

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Colombia

religious rites and customs, also face imprisonment, closure of local churches, physical abuse, threats, harassment, and denial of basic rights. As a result of growing radical secularism, there is increasing intolerance towards Christian views in the public sphere, especially about issues concerning life, family, marriage, and religious liberty. Christians speaking in public about their beliefs are sometimes targeted for supposedly being discriminatory and using hate speech. For this reason, some of them choose to self-censor in order to avoid becoming targets.

Quick facts LEADER President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego POPULATION 51,513,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 49,002,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context Main Religions Number of adherents Percentage

Christians

49,002,000

95.1

Agnostics

1,388,000

2.7

Ethno-religionists

320,000

0.6

Others

532,300

1.0

According to the Colombia 2020 Human Rights Report, government security forces were accused of collaborating with or tolerating the activities of criminal gangs. It also stated that the judicial system was overburdened and inefficient and that corruption and intimidation of judges, prosecutors, and witnesses was hindering judicial functioning.

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Towards the end of 2019, nationwide demonstrations took place led by students, indigenous leaders, and unions. The protests focused on political, social, economic, and security issues. During the demonstrations that continued in 2020, protesters were joined by illegal groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN).

Colombia has struggled under a corrupt and weak legal apparatus for decades. This has allowed a thriving criminal network to spawn throughout much of the country, mostly funded by the trade in illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking.

The demonstrations resumed in April 2021, driven firstly by the rejection of a tax reform proposal and then in response to the government’s violent action against protesters. Despite dialogue commencing between the government and Colombia’s National

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Strike Committee (CNP), made up mainly of unions, the talks were suspended by the CNP because concrete agreements were not reached. The first round of elections to choose the president of Colombia for the period 2022-2026 was held in May 2022. The vote was inconclusive, so a second round was held on 19 June 2022. The winner was Gustavo Petro of Historical Pact, a coalition of leftist parties (CNN Español, 19 June 2022).

How the situation varies by region Organized corruption and crime: Christians experience high levels of pressure and violence from criminal organizations and illegal armed groups in the following areas: Antioquia, Arauca, Bolivar, Caquetá, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Chocó, Córdoba, Guaviare, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vichada. Clan oppression: Indigenous communities have many traditional customs and therefore less acceptance of other (Christian) rites, so those who abandon the religious practices of the tribe face persecution. In Colombia, there are 115 indigenous groups. These native people are located in the 32 departments of the country.

Catholic denominations in indigenous communities face rejection and reprisals for promoting a different faith. Historical Christian communities also struggle with increasing religious intolerance in society and the rejection of public manifestations of faith. Converts to Christianity This category includes cross-denominational converts, converts within indigenous communities, and converts from guerrilla groups and criminal organizations. Especially in the indigenous context, converts are victims of harassment, expulsion, death threats, and other physical and psychological forms of violence for abandoning the community’s majority belief system. Non-traditional Christian communities These communities consist mainly of Baptists and Pentecostals. They are affected by the pressure and violence exerted by organized criminal groups. Although the previous government administration recognized their important role in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and in humanitarian assistance in neglected areas, these Christian communities do not receive the same government benefits granted to historical Christian communities. In addition, where they try to participate in the political sphere, they face severe opposition from radical feminist and secularist groups. They are not free to work within indigenous communities and face risk when doing so.

Secular intolerance: This engine of persecution depends on the public policies implemented by the national government and on social attitudes within society, mainly encouraged by intolerant groups with ideologies against religion or Christianity. Secular intolerance is present throughout the country, especially in urban areas such as Bolívar, Bogotá, Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, Nariño, Valle, Cauca, Boyacá, Santander, Cundinamarca, Tolima, and Huila.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Communities of expatriate Christians are not forced into isolation and therefore not scored. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination making up this community. This category is in danger of attacks in areas controlled by drug cartels and organized crime groups. Non-Roman

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Organized corruption and crime: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents, members of the ELN, and other guerrilla groups fight for control of entire regions to ensure the continued operation of their illegal activities. This has led to both church leaders and Christian groups being victims of systematic monitoring, abduction, threats, extortion, forced displacement, and killings, as well as attacks on Christian buildings. These measures are particularly addressed to Christians who actively oppose criminal activity, speak out defending human rights, preach to combatants, carry out prayer days in particularly violent areas and discourage young people from joining criminal groups. Christians and Christian leaders experience threats when they do not agree to support national strikes. They are forced to participate in strikes by criminal groups who have political interests at stake. Criminal groups also retaliate against former guerrilla members who abandon crime as a result of their conversion to the Christian faith. Clan oppression: Religion is an important component of culture and identity within indigenous communities, and the introduction of ideas contrary to these ancient and traditional beliefs is seen as a threat. Punishments by local authorities towards indigenous converts can include imprisonment, fines, physical and psychological abuse, denial of access to basic resources, the confiscation of property, and forced labor. Secular intolerance: The religious sector is considered an important element in supporting the implementation of the FARC peace agreement and social and humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 crisis in the country. But increasingly, Christians face verbal attacks, social hostilities, and discrimination due to intolerance of Christian beliefs and practices. A strict interpretation of state secularism frequently places religious freedom and the right of conscience at odds with the right to non-discrimination. Society and institutions reject Christian professionals’ assertion of the right to conscientious objection. There is also pressure to remove from public office any officials who openly defend their Christian faith or affinity towards a specific church. Christian participation in the political sphere of the country has diminished as a result.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Cases of conflict-related sexual violence by armed groups continue in Colombia, with indigenous and Afro-Colombian ethnic groups particularly at risk. Within indigenous communities, Christians who refuse to accept indigenous rites and customs may be forced into marriage, abandoned by husbands, separated from children, and ostracized by communities. This exposes them to forced displacement, risking trafficking and sexual exploitation. In areas under criminal control, girls fear rape and sexual harassment. Christian girls, targeted for their perceived purity and obedience, can be “bought” from their parents on pain of death. • • • • • • • •

Abduction Forced marriage Forced to flee town / country Trafficking Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Christian men face high levels of threats and violence, particularly in regions of armed conflict. As family providers, they can face extortion and death. Illegal armed groups pose one of the greatest threats to Christian men and boys, who are exposed to abduction, forced recruitment, and violence. They risk indoctrination and mandatory participation in the activities of these groups. Church leaders are at particular risk, especially if they speak out against criminal groups. Within some indigenous

communities, converts face extreme pressures such as beatings, harassment, threats, and forced labor. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via fines Forced out of home – expulsion Forced to flee town / country Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The rise in the total score by three points was primarily due to the high number of violent incidents targeting Christians during the reporting period, especially killings. Pressure increased on average, mainly due to the active presence of criminal groups in many areas of the country, hindering Christian activities (at the individual and collective level). In Colombian society in general, intolerance of Christian views in public debate has notoriously increased, and indigenous Christians continue to face great obstacles inside their communities of origin.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

February 2022: Bishop Rubén Darío Jaramillo denounced the activities of armed groups in the Buenaventura region and told how he had received several death threats. He has been banned from entering some places in the Buenaventura port area (Agenzia Fides, 8 February 2022).

•

March 2022: A group of hooded men broke into the Primada Cathedral during a Sunday service, shouting slogans. (Aciprensa, 21 March 2022).

•

June 2022: According to in-country sources, five indigenous Christians were beaten with whips and detained for several hours in jail cells by the indigenous authorities in Cauca. They were accused of spreading Christian teaching which contradicted the traditional school curriculum approved by the indigenous community. They were forced to sign a document stating their acceptance of the educational model imposed by the community.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

2023

377

124

2022

683

598

Private life Christians face varying levels of risk in the private practice of their faith, such as rejection, harassment, threats, restrictions, and expulsion, among others. Christians may face hostilities from ideological pressure groups when they defend their faith-based opinions. Christians face persecution when they meet with fellow believers in indigenous communities or in territories controlled by organized crime. Family life Within areas controlled by criminal networks, Christian parents risk their children being indoctrinated or recruited by ELN, dissident FARC guerrillas, and other illegal groups strengthening their presence throughout the country. Opposition typically leads to harassment, violence, or expulsion from the community. In the indigenous context, schools aim to maintain the cultural identity of the ethnic group at the expense of Christians, whom they view as outsiders. In both indigenous schools and government-run schools, the right of parents to raise their children according to their religious beliefs is often violated through compulsory classes that contradict their Christian principles. The harassment of Christians in indigenous communities can result in children being separated from their Christian parents. Community life Indigenous authorities use a system of fines (typically either money or harvest products) for Christians who do not participate in community religious practices related to ancestral or traditional ethnic beliefs. Additionally, Christians are excluded from accessing basic resources e.g., clean water and healthcare, as well as ostracized from wider society and their families. Christian children are vulnerable to a forced marriage to an older person as a reprisal for abandoning tribal customs. Criminal groups often demand protection money from church leaders in exchange for not exercising violence against them. On occasion, the fees demanded by criminal groups

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

could increase the risk of forced recruitment of their children. These groups are also known to steal desperately-needed government and humanitarian aid in order to coerce Christians to accept their rule. National life In indigenous communities, violations against Christians often go unpunished because indigenous customs are constitutionally protected, and autonomous ethno-religious leaders are both instigators and those who impart justice in their own community. Affected Christians cannot seek court justice because indigenous communities are often entitled to their own jurisdiction. Elsewhere, as criminal groups are de-facto authorities in many areas of the country, Christians cannot fully exercise their rights, including freedom of expression and movement, and are at the mercy of these illegal groups often acting with impunity. Additionally, Colombian society is increasingly intolerant of public expressions of Christianity. Church life Churches are frequent targets of threats by criminal groups, indigenous leaders, and ideological pressure groups. Christian leaders and their families are particularly targeted for harassment in indigenous communities, and all Christian activity is prohibited. In territories co-opted by criminal groups, Christian leaders and their families are often the most frequent victims of violence, monitoring, and mobility restrictions. Especially if they work on human rights, the environment, among youth, implementing the Peace Agreement, or discouraging coca growth. Pastors’ children are a special target for human trafficking, forced recruitment, or rape to discourage pastors from continuing their work. There is increasing social scrutiny of Christian preaching related to the defense of marriage and family and the way Churches seek involvement in the public sphere.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Colombia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Colombia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are targeted by militias for expressing their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they discuss their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department’s 2021 International Religious Freedom report, the Jewish community reported comments promoting anti-Semitism on some social media sites after the Confederation of Jewish Communities of Colombia met with a presidential candidate in May 2021 as part of a series of meetings with all presidential candidates.

Church leader Franciso (right) and his wife Luz (left) take comfort in knowing their daughter Valentina (cover) is safe from the risk of attacks by guerillas as she stays in an Open Doors’ Children’s Center.

Open Doors in Colombia Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Colombia, by offering:

•

Biblical training / distribution of training materials / development of Biblical materials

•

Trauma counseling

•

Advice on ethnic education

•

Community development: training of the Biblical worldview; agricultural tools; and, stewardship

•

Physical infrastructure improvement

•

Productive projects

•

Education programs (children center / scholarship)

•

Emergency persecution relief aid

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COLOMBIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.6

PRIVATE LIFE

9.4

FAMILY LIFE

9.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.5

NATIONAL LIFE

9.6

CHURCH LIFE

13.8

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Christians are being targeted and killed by jihadists, and churches are destroyed. The impact of jihadists in the country has expanded to cities that were previously beyond their reach. Christians from Muslim backgrounds experience the most violations from family and community, who reject them and try to force them to renounce their Christian faith. Christians are afraid to express their faith in public because of such threats.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Burkina Faso

Quick facts LEADER President Ibrahim Traore POPULATION 22,103,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 5,166,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

5,166,000

23.4

Muslims

12,295,000

55.6

Ethno-religionists

4,513,000

20.4

Agnostics

122,000

0.6

Source2

Burkina Faso has suffered years of political turmoil and a military dictatorship. In 2014, an uprising forced President Blaise Compaoré out of power after 27 years of rule. A military coup followed in 2015, but leaders agreed to transfer power to a civilian government through elections. In 2022, another coup took place in the country. Political freedom and the situation of human rights have greatly improved since then. However, in September, there was yet another coup by Ibrahim Traore. He has since been named transitional leader, ousting Lieutenant-Colonel PaulHenri Sandaogo Damiba, who had seized power just in January. Burkina Faso remains one of the least developed countries in the world. Nearly 80% of people practice subsistence farming for their survival. Large parts of the country remain contested between jihadist groups, ethnic militias, and security forces. Christians have made a huge contribution in stabilizing and leading the country to independence, but they

have also been targeted by jihadists, which are growing in influence in the Greater Sahel region. Militant Islamic groups operating in the country include Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), Islamic State Greater Sahara (ISGS), al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Murabitoun, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. Christians in the country suffer from a lack of security. Many have been targeted and killed in 2021 and 2022. Christian women and girls risk being abducted, raped, and forcibly married. Instances of sexual assault have reportedly increased as extremist groups exploited the insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to expand control. Christian boys on the other hand are often recruited into militant forces, which also serves to weaken the Christian church. In light of such pressure, many Christians are forced to flee their homes altogether.

How the situation varies by region The northern and eastern parts of the country are the main areas where Christians experience the most pressure and violence, particularly outside the main cities. In the western part of the country, ethnoreligious groups also put pressure on Christians. As the influence of the jihadists is increasing, most of the regions that were considered relatively safe are becoming unsafe.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are not involuntarily isolated and are therefore not treated as a separate WWL category. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church is the most dominant Christian denomination in the country. Most of the country’s political leaders have been Catholics. Catholics face fewer violations compared to other Christian groups due to their large numbers. Converts to Christianity This category includes Christians of Muslim or traditional African religious background. Converts from a Muslim background experience the most serious persecution from their families and communities. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congregations are concentrated mostly in the major cities. They are targeted more often than historical Christian groups by Islamic militants.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: Burkina Faso has experienced several Islamist attacks in recent years, especially in the northern region and occasionally in the capital. These can be seen as violent attempts at “Islamizing” the country. Ansar ul Islam was formed in 2016 and has tried to impose its laws in the northern part of the country through violent and non-violent means. There is also Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslim (“Group supporting Islam and Muslims”) operating in the country and has ties with local militant groups. Currently, they seem to be more focused on combatting the French presence and countries allied to France. Its preachers influence the youth into blaming their misfortune on the French and on the corruption of morals through the West. There have been attacks on churches and Christians by Islamic militants and some churches have stepped up security, fearing further attacks may be planned. A country researcher writes: “Generally speaking, the ethnic groups are tolerant but with the increasing influence of Islamic expansion, Muslim leaders from various tribes have become sources of persecution.” Converts from a Muslim background experience the most serious persecution from their families and communities. Organized corruption and crime: In many countries in the Sahel region, organized corruption is enabling the jihadists to recruit, buy weapons, and operate with impunity. A country researcher indicated: “There is a high level of corruption in governance. Crimes such as robbery and kidnapping are being committed in various regions of the country. The government is doing little or nothing to contain such crime, even in the capital city, Ouagadougou.” ©Alamy

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Islamist groups are influential in the regions, particularly the east, and the central government is weak. In this context, there is a high potential for abduction by militants. Females may be forced into marriage, used for labor, and put under intense pressure to convert to Islam. Sexual violence is a common tool for attacking Christian communities. In particular, daughters of Christian leaders are targeted for rape. Converts from an Islamic or traditional religious background face further pressure, including forced marriage, denied education, family expulsion, death threats, and house arrest. • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Targeted seduction Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Islamic militant groups operating in the Sahel region often forcefully recruit their members from countries such as Burkina Faso. Christian men and boys are targeted for forceful recruitment and physical attacks. The abduction and killing of Christian men causes fear and trauma in Christian communities, alongside economic fragility for families. Many men and boys often flee to safer areas in the country, neighboring countries, or countries abroad. Converts from a Muslim background face further challenges; conversion is considered a betrayal by some families, resulting in rejection and denial of inheritance.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

• • • • • • •

Abduction Discrimination / harassment via education Forced to flee town / country Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The Burkina Faso score increased by almost 3 points. Christians have experienced an increase in violence and pressure due to escalating pressure and persecution throughout the country. Jihadist activity has expanded, and many churches and Christian schools are being forced to close down. The Church and Community spheres of life are under particularly high pressure. Targeting killing of Christians has created an environment of fear, with many Christians being too scared to attend church services or send their children to school. Jihadist groups have also replaced the government in areas under their control. This phenomenon is exacerbated by political uncertainty in the country. The situation in neighboring countries like Niger and Mali also contributes to the insecurity in Burkina Faso. There are ongoing ethnic conflicts with religious dimensions. As a result, converts to Christianity and other Christian groups face high levels of pressure and, if the current situation is not addressed as soon as possible, it is likely that Burkina Faso will further become an even more dangerous and extremely fragile state.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

June 2022: JNIM militants burned a Protestant church in the village of Pabouga (Partiaga, Tapoa).

•

May 2022: JNIM militants entered the village of Kindi (Andemtenga, Kourittenga). The militants banned western education, sale of alcohol, and church prayers.

•

March 2022: JNIM militants burned a church in the village of Bourgou (Manni, Gnagna).

•

July 2022: JNIM militants entered three churches in the Burkinabe-Nigerien border village of Dabonti (Kantchari, Tapoa). The militants assaulted and whipped worshipers, pastors, and co-pastors. WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023 2022

10* 100*

5000 100*

100* 0

Private life Christians, particularly converts from Islam, face hostile reactions if they discuss their faith with others. This is a new phenomenon and was not something ingrained in society previously. In some remote areas, Christians must ensure they do not have Christian materials at home because militants can show up at their doors and search for such evidence. Conversion, though not forbidden by law, is opposed by Muslims in certain areas and can lead to a convert being treated as an outcast. Family life In some schools where leaders or founders are predominantly Muslim, Christian students face pressure to receive Islamic teaching. This has been reported in cities like Bobo Dioulasso and others, and even in the capital Ouagadougou. It has been reported that Islamic militants killed teachers who did not teach Islam. Converts lose their inheritance rights. All Christian groups must make sure they do not celebrate Christian weddings or festivals in areas prone to attacks by jihadists. Community life Christians are targeted, especially in the northern region, which shares a border with Mali. Soum Province seems to be the epicenter of Islamic militant activity. Here, Christians have been kidnapped and security forces attacked. The Ansar al-Islam movement has launched attacks and intimidated school teachers into replacing French with Arabic as the language of

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

instruction in schools. Schools that do not teach Islam have been burned down. Many Christians have fled their homes. Forced marriages have also been used as a weapon to force female converts to return to Islam. Where Christians are a minority, they are often hindered from accessing community resources. National life Churches experience difficulties in obtaining permits from the administrative authorities for things like purchasing land. The spread of anti-Christian sentiment has helped create a mindset that regards Christians as enemies in certain parts of the country. In northern, eastern, and western parts of the country where Islam is strongly represented, and radical ideology has a foothold, Christians are increasingly regarded as the enemy. Church life Despite the fact the country is officially secular and Christians make up over 20% of the population, many churches live in fear of attack and are closely monitored by militant groups and community leaders in the northern, eastern, and western parts of the country. In many predominantly Muslim communities, church work among the youth is very restricted. The sale or distribution of Bibles and Christian materials is not impeded by the state, but these activities cannot be carried out by converts from traditional African religions or Islam without risking serious trouble.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

International obligations & rights violated Burkina Faso has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Burkina Faso is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are killed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian converts from a Muslim background are ostracized, faced with opposition by their families, and threatened with loss of inheritance (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians and their activities are monitored by militant groups (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Perpetrators of violence against Christians are sometimes left unpunished (ICCPR Art. 2)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Islamic radicalization is growing in Burkina Faso. The peripheries of the country are under the influence of Islamic militants and mosques and madrassas increasingly teach radical versions of Sunni Islam, thus causing even Sufi Muslims to be under threat. In these areas, there is no place for religious minorities. It was even reported that teachers in schools were threatened to hold Quran classes or face repercussions. Anti-Islamic sentiment is rising in Burkina Faso among other vigilante armed groups.

A beneficiary of an Open Doors’ relief distribution project that helped 2,100 people with vital food aid.

Open Doors in Burkina Faso Open Doors started working in Burkina Faso in 2019, as jihadist violence increased radically. Our vision is to see the church increasingly able to respond biblically to persecution by spiritually empowering Christians and caring for the most affected.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BURKINA FASO

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.6

PRIVATE LIFE

10.3

FAMILY LIFE

8.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.9

NATIONAL LIFE

9.6

CHURCH LIFE

12.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The Central African Republic (CAR) has been embroiled in conflict since 2013 and most of the country is occupied by armed militia groups, responsible for a range of human rights abuses. Christian leaders who have publicly denounced the violence have been threatened, and church buildings have been burned and ransacked. Some Christians left their homes and fled to neighboring countries like Cameroon. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Christians, who have been forced to live in camps and lose their homes and livelihoods. Converts to Christianity also face violations from their immediate family members. Particularly in the northern part of the country, the local community often ostracizes Christian converts and also tries to force them to renounce Christianity through violence.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Central African Republic

Quick facts LEADER President Faustin Archange Touadera POPULATION 5,017,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 3,712,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

3,712,000

74.0

Muslims

697,000

13.9

Ethno-religionists

559,000

11.1

Agnostics

36,300

0.7

Source2

Since its independence in 1960, the CAR has been mired in violence driven by overlapping tensions between armed groups, religious and ethnic groups, and herders and farmers. The mainly Muslim group, Séléka, staged a coup in 2013 that gave rise to deadly conflict along religious and ethnic lines. Since President Touadera was elected in 2016, he has made reconciliation his priority, and a Political Peace Agreement was signed in 2019. However, there are still some clashes involving the mainly Muslim exSéléka splinters and the self-defense group, called the anti-Balaka. Although the anti-Balaka is frequently referred to as Christian, they mostly follow African Traditional Religions (ATR) and churches have strongly disassociated themselves. The 2016 Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and this is generally respected in practice.

Relations between Muslims and Christians have appeared good on the surface, but there are some tensions. In particular, converts from Islam to Christianity face violations, and Christians living in Muslim-dominated areas have reported discrimination and attacks on churches by ex-Séléka groups. Anti-Balaka rebel groups also attack churches and any Christians who oppose their activities. Many women and girls are economically dependent on their families, which can make them vulnerable if they convert to Christianity. At the end of 2020, the environment became even more complex when several groups that used to be at war, united in the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) under former ruler Francoise Bozize. These CPC tried to disrupt elections after the constitutional court ruled that the latter was not allowed to contest those elections. The CPS and the original groups continue to hold societies captive through violence and extortion.

How the situation varies by region Rights violations against Christians are most severe in the northern and eastern parts of the country, which is dominated by the Muslim population and where Séléka splinter groups are operating. There are also difficulties for Christians in the eastern part of the country, bordering Sudan.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination in the country with the widest network of churches, clinics, and schools. During and after the Séléka coup, many of their churches were looted. The Catholic Church has been a strong voice calling for peace and reconciliation and has also provided places of refuge for civilians, both Muslim and Christian, fleeing attack. As a result, Catholic churches have often been targeted for attack. Converts to Christianity Converts with a Muslim background experience opposition and pressure from family members to renounce Christianity if their conversion becomes known. Most do not worship in public due to the fear of attacks by Muslim agitators, especially in the northern Muslim-dominated areas of the country. Non-traditional Christian communities Evangelical and Pentecostal communities have been subject to attacks by ex-Séléka militants. Recently, the number of people joining these Christian congregations has increased dramatically.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Besides the violence against Christians perpetrated particularly by the offshoots of the Séléka militia, Islamic oppression is also evident in the persecution of Christians by society in general in predominantly Muslim parts of the country. Organized corruption and crime: This persecution engine is particularly evident where Anti-Balaka militants attack churches and Christians. Although AntiBalaka began as a collection of vigilante groups, they have morphed into criminal gangs. Particularly in Bangui, they have often targeted Christians and church leaders, especially those who do not subscribe to their ideals or those who oppose their violent activities. While the group claims to protect Christians, it has become evident over the years that this is untrue, since they attack Muslims and Christians alike. Ethno-religious hostility blended with Clan oppression: There are two dimensions to this persecution engine – i) Animism/ATR (religious and/or cultural) and ii) tribal fighting. In CAR, ethnic and religious motives often go together. Some ethnic minority groups are specifically targeted, for instance, Ba’aka pygmies are forcibly recruited for labor. Anti-Balaka groups sometimes force Christians into their ranks.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Years of violence and political instability have left Christian women and girls particularly vulnerable to rape, displacement, abduction, and forced marriage as forms of religious persecution. Sexual abuse results in shame, trauma, and often pregnancy, with high rates of sexual violence discouraging parents in high-risk areas from sending girls to school. Dependence on family means family-driven persecution affects women more, with financial need also being a significant factor. In Muslim-dominated areas, women are pressured to follow an Islamic dress code, and converts face house arrest and forced marriage to older Muslims. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via fines Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Targeted seduction Trafficking Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

targeted for torture and assault. Abduction, killing, threats and the tactical impoverishment of men greatly affects Christian families. • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied inheritance or possessions Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

MEN Men are killed for their faith or detained by radical militias. Pastors are especially targeted, falsely accused, and even attacked during church services. Men are also discriminated against in jobs, as Islamic leaders occupy all marketplaces, control trade, impose large taxes on Christian businessmen, and even loot Christian shops to keep them in poverty. Christians are forcibly recruited into rebel militant groups, discriminated against in national military service, and

WWL 2023 saw an increase of 2 points due to the ongoing conflict in the country affecting Christians at all levels. There are more than 14 factions fighting against the government and against each other. The Rwandan and Russian Wagner groups also joined the fighting, making life for Christians more challenging. According to many credible reports, various fighting groups, including government security forces, have committed atrocities. In the middle of this, Christians are extremely affected. The government controls only the capital city, Bangui. The rest of the country is divided into different factions. These factors have also made the tracking of persecution more complex. The score for violence remained at an extreme level, which has impacted pressure in all spheres of life.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Many churches were damaged in the context of the conflict between different factions. For example, on January 22, 2022. The Union of Evangelical Churches of the brothers (UEEF) was the target of an armed attack from elements of the rebel group of 3R.

•

Properties and houses of Christians have been damaged. WWL Year

Christians abducted

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to marry

Christians killed

2023

2022

10*

Private life Converts to Christianity from Islam experience severe violations from family members if their conversion becomes known. Financial help can be cut off. In the Muslim-dominated north, where Séléka splinter groups operate, converts risk their lives if they own Christian materials. When ex-Séléka fighters come into a house and find someone reading a Bible, they have been known to kill them immediately.

National life In areas controlled by ex-Séléka militants, all transportation facilities are under Muslim control, making movement for Christians difficult. When violence flares up, pastors are particularly vulnerable when travelling between churches to carry out their work. In regions where rebel groups wield power, Christians are discriminated against and sometimes attacked, forcing them to flee home and country.

Family life Often, after a spouse has converted to Christianity, extended families and the local community will put pressure on the non-convert to divorce. In addition, converts almost automatically lose family inheritance rights. In areas controlled by rebel groups, where children’s parents have been killed or have been forced to flee, any children left behind remain at the mercy of the attackers. Some have been brutally killed.

Church life Although there is no official surveillance from the government, civilians are watched by various rebel groups to discover their possible links to other groups. Many attacks have been reported, with church services being interrupted and churches burned.

Community life The government has lost effective control over many areas. In Muslim-dominated areas, Christians are often discriminated against, especially where Sharia law is more or less officially implemented. Monitoring by some rebel groups and their supporters has been common. In some instances, there are some vigilante groups that monitor for jihadists. In the context of the ongoing conflict, Christians (especially young girls) suffer from attacks and abductions. Muslim community members usually do not want to share community resources (such as healthcare) with converts to Christianity, especially in the remote northern part of the country.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

International obligations & rights violated CAR has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) CAR is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christian converts in Muslim-majority areas experience pressure and violence from their family and community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians and their activities are monitored by rebel groups (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being abducted and forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department’s IRF 2021 report: “14 persons were killed on February 16 at a mosque in Bambari when pro-government forces recaptured the city from the CPC. During this assault, Wagner Group forces and soldiers from the national military – the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) – reportedly raped, tortured, and killed Muslim civilians. Imams in Bangui stated that Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) had been victims of torture, rape, extrajudicial killing, disappearance, and theft at the hands of FACA and Wagner Group forces.” In the context of the ongoing conflict, religious minorities are not the main targets. However, adherents of small religious minorities do face challenges in the communities where they live.

Open Doors in Central African Republic Open Doors, through local partners and churches, has been involved in CAR for a number of years. From 2013, our programs provided support to the church in crisis following the coup by the Islam-dominated Séléka forces. Our vision for CAR is a church that is mature, autonomous, and able to deal with trauma and persecution. Our programs include: •

Persecution preparedness

•

Economic empowerment

•

Trauma care

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

6.9

PRIVATE LIFE

11.8

FAMILY LIFE

9.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.8

NATIONAL LIFE

14.6

CHURCH LIFE

14.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Historical Christian communities like Roman Catholics enjoy a certain amount of freedom unless they become politically active, which can lead to imprisonment. Where Catholic congregations own large plots of land (such as convents, schools or hospitals) these can be confiscated by the state for development purposes. Both non-traditional Protestants and converts to Christianity from indigenous religions face intense pressure and violence for their faith, especially in the remote areas of central and northern Vietnam. Most belong to the country’s ethnic minorities, like the Hmong, and face social exclusion, discrimination and attacks on ethnic grounds. Catholic churches have encountered state interferences on rare occasions when local party leaders have specifically targeted them. They are sometimes forcibly expelled by demolition of their homes.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Vietnam

Quick facts LEADER President Nguyen Xuan Phuc POPULATION 98,954,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 9,401,0001 MAIN RELIGION Buddhism GOVERNMENT Communist State

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

9,401,000

9.5

Buddhists

48,471,000

49.0

Agnostics

12,063,000

12.2

Others

11,805,390

11.9

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Vietnam continues to follow its Doi Moi (economic renovation) policy. This was introduced in 1986, and successfully doubled the GDP within the last decade, reduced poverty and increased employment. However, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic was strong, seen in the 6.7% shrinking of GDP in the third quarter of 2021. However, the economic recovery accelerated, and GDP growth was forecast to surge from an estimated 2.6 percent in 2021 to 7.5 percent in 2022. As in most Communist countries, Christians are regarded as unpatriotic and anti-government and, as such, are strictly monitored, censored, and discriminated against. Christians are not only barred

from positions of power within the Communist Party but also disqualified from officer ranks in the military, and receive harsher punishments when charged by police. While the Party Congress in January 2021 did not bring any surprises and Communist politics continues to preserve the status quo, there is one exception to this rule: the elevation of the head of the ‘Government Committee of Religious Affairs’ (GCRA) to serve as Deputy Minister of the Interior is indicative of a high government concern to maintain the control of religion. The current 18-member Politburo is described as being “securocratic”, since it has five members with a background in the security services. This fits observations made by Human Rights Watch, which accuses the Politburo of promoting outdated Stalinist policies that belong to past Communist history.

How the situation varies by region Pressure and violence targeting Christians among the ethnic minorities is especially strong in the central and north-west highlands in the following provinces: Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Bin Phuoc, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lao Cai, Nghe An, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Tra Vinh and Yen Bai.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians As expatriate Christians cannot mix with local churches in rural areas, they are involuntarily isolated. This category includes foreign workers from Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines, who face pressure from being monitored. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church of Vietnam are the main historical Christian communities. The former managed to open a Catholic university in 2016, but problems with land-grabbing by authorities and arrests of Catholic activists have increased, and in December 2020 a congress of the ECVN (S) was hindered. Converts to Christianity Converts from a Buddhist or Animist background face the most severe violations, not only from the authorities but also from their families, friends and neighbors. Since most of them belong to ethnic minorities, Communist authorities are particularly suspicious and hostile towards them. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities consist of Evangelical and Pentecostal congregations. They gather in house churches, as many denominations are not registered. They are closely monitored and face discrimination at various levels from the government and society.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Communist and post-Communist oppression blended with Dictatorial paranoia: The Communist Party violates the rights of the Christian minority in the central highlands, north-west and north-east regions by harassing them and requiring all religious institutions to be supervised by the government’s Committee on Religious Affairs. The government even makes use of local criminals, known as ‘Red Flag’ groups, whom they tacitly encourage to assault Christians and expropriate church property. Due to the pandemic, those groups have been less active than in former reporting periods. The Catholic Church is by far the largest Christian community, and therefore the government’s primary target. This suspicion is elevated by Catholic insistence on highlighting social injustice and environmental issues under Communist rule, which often results in punitive violence and confiscation of church-owned land. Clan oppression: Communities in tight-knit villages, enforced by village leaders and family members, coerce Christian converts to renounce their faith. In order to maintain the tribe’s culture, tribal leaders often exclude Christians from the community, seeing them as traitors to their culture and heritage. The community itself will often react violently against Christian converts and expel them from their villages. Organized corruption and crime: There have been, and still are, incidents of land-grabbing, particularly targeted at the Catholic Church. This occurs mainly in cities, where government officials look for land and property to confiscate, and then sell the land to private developers. Lands belonging to the Catholic Church and other ethnic Christian minorities are prime targets. Eviction has often been executed with the help of criminal groups and ‘Red Flag’ guards, although this has become less visible due to the pandemic.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Despite having one of the highest female workplace participation rates, women bear an unequal share of domestic work and are considered subservient. The country holds socialist ideals of equality, but Confucian values remain, embodied in sayings like ‘one boy is something, 10 girls is nothing’. Female Christians may be forced into early marriages, especially converts and those in tribal cultures. Within marriage, they risk oppression, violence and forced divorce. Christian women and girls are also vulnerable to sexual assault. Trafficking of Hmong women as brides to China also remains prevalent. • • •

Forced divorce Forced marriage Violence – physical

MEN Men often face discrimination and harassment at work, risking job loss and monitoring due to their faith. As men are the primary providers in Vietnam, this paralyzes the whole family economically and weakens their place within society. Once in custody, detainees face harsh treatment, physical beatings, and pressure to renounce their faith. There is also pressure within compulsory military service, with men unable to freely read the Bible or partake in other Christian practices. • •

Economic harassment via work/job/business Imprisonment by the government

• •

Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The drop in overall score in WWL 2023 was caused by the fact that fewer cases of violence were reported. However, it should be noted that reporting, particularly from ethnic minority regions, is hindered and sometimes made next to impossible. The average score for pressure in the spheres of life increased slightly by 0.2 points; with increases in Private and National life. The regulations on religion, implemented from 1 January 2018 onwards, have not changed anything substantially, except for adding another source of uncertainty. The regulations also did nothing to cut down bureaucracy or alleviate fears that obtaining government permits comes with pressure to conform to Communist ideology. Tighter regulations on online communication helped in restricting and limiting the space Christians enjoy even further.

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

June 2022: Christian Hmong family expelled from village: A 13 member Christian family was expelled from their village Ku Duoi in Nghe An province (and a child was refused a birth certificate), because they refused to renounce their Christian faith.

•

February 2022: On 20 February 2022, state officials entered a church in Hoa Binh province and disrupted a Catholic mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Hanoi, Joseph Vu Van Thien. WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians Imprisoned or Punished by the government

2023

10*

2022

Private life In rural areas, discussing one’s faith is dangerous and can lead to violence from the wider community. In cities, slightly more freedom exists, but harassment and questioning by police is common. While conversions are not banned by law, they are strongly opposed. Christianity is seen as foreign and a threat to family and heritage, especially in areas where ancestral worship prevails. Often family members are forced to choose between reconversion from Christianity or eviction and ostracization from family and community. Family life Christian children in Vietnam are pressured into attending anti-Christian teaching in the form of Communist doctrine throughout their education. Christian children who belong to unregistered, and sometimes registered denominations and churches including thousands of Hmong and Montagnard Protestants, are prevented from attending schools because of their faith, or that of their parents and their ethnicity. Some of those who are able to attend school are often the victims of harassment and bullying from fellow students and school administrators alike. Additionally, converts who are married may be threatened with divorce. It is common for families to disown, evict and cut off support from family members that convert to Christianity. Community life Tribal communities in hotspot areas assist in the

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

monitoring of Christians. Local authorities encourage the community to restrict Christian groups, as these are seen as foreign and dangerous. Christians applying for jobs, and those due for promotion, sometimes experience discrimination and exclusion both in public and private sectors. Within the military and police, Christians are not eligible to be selected as officers. In northern Vietnam, state authorities are known to threaten to cancel the healthcare benefits of Christians if they resist state mandates or continue to meet as a church. In the reporting period of WWL 2023, government subsidies for housing and food for students were revoked when authorities found out that the students were Christian. In other cases, authorities revoked their status as poor, effectively cutting off students from receiving proper schooling.

©Pexels

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

National life Vietnam follows Communist ideology strictly, and all other beliefs are opposed. The government does not respond to registration applications or approve requests for religious activities within the stipulated time period, if at all, and often does not specify reasons for refusals as required by law. Members of the Communist Party are not allowed to profess a religion, and commissioned military officers are not permitted to be religious believers. In the media, Christians are portrayed as trying to reinstate colonial ideology and are accused of disruptive and anti-government activities. When a Catholic priest dared to criticize the setting up of a COVID-19 vaccine fund and calls for ordinary citizens to contribute to it, the official media immediately called for him to be “handled”. Perpetrators of violence against Christians are almost never brought to trial. Church life Churches are monitored and occasionally meetings are disrupted. Churches are required by law to register their activities with the authorities. Obtaining Christian materials in bulk is extremely difficult as all published material requires approval by the government and all imports are highly restricted. However, obtaining small numbers of Christian material is possible. Catholic and Protestant church leaders and activists are often arrested or forced into exile for criticism of the government or advocacy on behalf of human rights.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

International obligations & rights violated Vietnam has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Vietnam is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are harassed in the workplace and face discrimination because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christians are killed because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 6.1)

•

Christians are arrested for speaking up for their rights (ICCPR Arts. 9 and 19)

•

If arrested, Christians experience beatings and pressure to renounce their faith (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 10)

•

Christian children are ostracized at school, pressured to abandon their faith and their medical needs are often neglected on the basis of their faith (ICCPR Art. 18; CRC Arts. 14 and 24)

•

Christian female converts are forced to marry non-Christian men and pressured to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities As is typical under Communist regimes, Vietnamese authorities seek to keep all religious groups under control. Those under particular scrutiny alongside Christians are Cao Dai, Hoa Hao Buddhists and Muslims. Those who organize under government-controlled councils are left largely alone other than censorship of what is preached. Independent groups, however, are treated as serious threats and come under severe pressure from the government, especially their leaders. This can lead to harassment, intimidation, imprisonment, and confiscation of property.

Vietnamese women are writing a card to encourage women in Nigeria.

Open Doors in Vietnam Open Doors works through local church partners to come alongside Vietnamese believers when they suffer persecution for choosing to follow Christ. Physical attacks and expulsion from their families and communities are the common forms of oppression they encounter. Our interventions consist of presence, relief, practical aid, and advocacy. Open Doors also works through local partners to strengthen persecuted believers in Vietnam through the following efforts: •

Provision of Christian materials

•

Leadership training

•

Discipleship programs

•

Socio-economic development programs

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 VIETNAM

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

0.6

PRIVATE LIFE

14.5

FAMILY LIFE

11.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.6

NATIONAL LIFE

14.1

CHURCH LIFE

15.7

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Turkmenistan is a totalitarian country where state agents constantly monitor individual believers, religious groups (and the rest of society) and impose restrictions. Even Russian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic churches may experience the monitoring of Sunday services. The printing or import of Christian materials is restricted. Christians from a Muslim background bear the brunt of rights violations both at the hands of the state and from family, friends, and the community.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Turkmenistan

Sunni Islam is the main religion. Most Turkmens follow the traditions rather than teachings of Islam. There are strict restrictions imposed by the government on religion, such as state appointing Muslim clerics, surveilling and dictating religious practice, and punishing nonconformity through imprisonment, torture, and administrative harassment. According to World Christian Database, the next largest religious categories are agnostics and atheists, found particularly in the capital Ashgabat and other major cities. The small Christian minority is weak due to high levels of division and little cooperation between the denominations, which plays into the hands of the government.

Quick facts LEADER President Serdar Berdimuhamedow POPULATION 6,202,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 66,7001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Authoritarian Presidential Republic

How the situation varies by region Rights violations by government officials against Christians occur all over the country. Pressure from family and the community on Christian converts from a Muslim background is stronger in rural areas.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

66,700

1.1

Muslims

5,983,000

96.5

Agnostics

121,000

2.0

Atheists

26,400

0.4

Source2

Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Despite extensive natural resources, unemployment and poverty rates are high. Turkmenistan is a one-party state with a forced labor prison apparatus that incarcerates thousands of people in appalling conditions. The government requires strict registration of religious groups every three years and monitors all their operations within its borders. Religious groups must report all funding, especially foreign, or face heavy fines and arrest of leaders.

Historical Christian communities The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has accustomed itself to the limitations set by the government and is therefore left more or less undisturbed. Services may be monitored, but they are conducted unhindered. Printing or importing Christian materials is restricted. Converts to Christianity Christian converts from a Muslim background experience violations from the state and strong pressure from family and the community. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities include Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal groups. Aside from converts, these communities experience the highest levels of rights violations for their faith. Violations include raids, threats, arrests, and fines, especially when their churches have not been registered.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKMENISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia: Only state-controlled institutions are allowed. Protestants are frequently branded “extremists” due to their religious activities outside statesanctioned structures. The government views Protestants as a threat to the political status quo, in need of control and suppression. Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: Muslims who convert to Christianity are likely to experience pressure and physical violence from their families and local communities, who seek to compel them to return to Islam. Some converts experience domestic incarceration or exclusion from their communities. As a result, many attempt to keep their faith a secret.

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Gaps remain regarding women’s legal protection in Turkmenistan, including against domestic violence and sexual harassment. Prevalent Islamic culture places women in a subordinate position to men. Female converts are particularly vulnerable to beatings, house arrest, verbal abuse, threats, rejection, abduction and forced marriage. Women and girls remain vulnerable to sexual harassment and rape, though rarely report cases due to stigma and shame, and impunity is regularly granted to perpetrators. Abusing women is used as a tool for the intimidation and distress of their husbands, families, and churches. • • • • • • •

Abduction Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Men normally hold leadership roles within families and churches. Consequently, persecution directed against men impacts their families and congregations, causing fear, anger and financial hardship. State agents look for any excuse to fine Christian men, and authorities exert influence over those in leadership positions. Christian leaders face challenges in obtaining training, and there are tight restrictions around religious education. In mandatory military service, men face discrimination, intolerance and persecution. At a family and community level, Muslims obstruct Christian business activities, and converts face harassment, interrogation, threats, discrimination, shaming and beatings. • • • • • • • • •

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites Economic harassment via work / job / business Economic harassment via fines Incarceration by family / house arrest Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription/service against conscience Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKMENISTAN

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The WWL 2023 score for Turkmenistan is one point higher than in WWL 2022. The situation is one of stability, with only minor changes in some areas of pressure and violence in the country. The pressure is extremely high in the Private and Church spheres of life. The two main persecution engines in Turkmenistan are Dictatorial paranoia and Islamic oppression (blended with Clan oppression) and are active in all spheres of life. Islamic oppression (blended with Clan oppression) dominates in the Private and Family spheres of life, while Dictatorial paranoia dominates in the National and Church spheres of life. Both engines meet each other in the Community sphere of life. Muslim families, friends and villagers exert pressure on converts in particular, while the government imposes many restrictions on church activities.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Christians attacked: At least 22 Christians were physically or mentally abused. The majority of reported cases involve persecution within a convert’s family, such as beating, threats and isolation. WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

2022

27*

Private life The government strictly controls religious literature imported or produced in the country. It is dangerous to privately own Christian materials; possession is considered evidence of conversion, which is viewed as betrayal of the family and culture. Family and community will often react to conversion with social pressure, economic exclusion or even violence. Family life The predominantly Muslim society places immense pressure on the children of converts. In particular, they receive Islamic teachings, even against the will of their parents. Children of converts and Protestants are often ostracized from the wider community as a way to compel them back into Islam.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKMENISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Community life Converts are threatened by family and community (including local Islamic leaders) in an effort to make them give up their Christian faith. Community members and state authorities alike will monitor and harass unregistered Protestants whom they accuse of evangelism. As a result, Christians face threats, discrimination, obstruction, and fines. The most egregious examples are state-led raids, usually at the behest of local Muslim informers. National life The hostility of Turkmen society towards Christians is supported by a large and antagonistic state apparatus which seeks to compel social, and therefore religious, unity on the population. The Law on Religion includes a ban on unregistered religious organizations and a ban on private religious education. The regime censors Christians, controls the media, and prohibits opposition parties. Church life Obtaining legal status for non-registered churches is virtually impossible. All registered churches are required to re-register every three years under the new law, a complicated and time-consuming procedure. Churches, especially Protestant, can also struggle to obtain buildings due to societal hostility by landlords against Christians.

International obligations & rights violated Turkmenistan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Turkmenistan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Non-registered churches are raided, with members arrested, threatened, and fined (ICCPR Arts. 9 and 18)

•

Christians and their activities are closely monitored by the authorities (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian converts experience pressure and violence from their family and community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Access to religious literature is severely restricted and subject to official screening and approval (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Female converts face physical beatings, house arrest, verbal and physical abuse, threats, and rejection from their own family because of their faith (ICCPR Arts. 9, 12 and 18)

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Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKMENISTAN

Situation of other religious minorities The government does not focus on any specific religious group. Muslims, Christians, Jews and Baha’is all experience a high level of state surveillance and oppression. Notably, the government is particularly harsh on individuals who refuse government service by conscientious objection.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Turkmenistan Open Doors provides immediate aid to Central Asian believers when they are jailed, excluded from families and communities, and deprived of livelihood and employment because of their faith in Christ. We also strengthen the persecuted church in Central Asia, primarily through:

•

Literature distribution

•

Prayer support

•

Biblical training

•

Children / youth training

•

Women’s ministry

•

Advocacy and awareness training (SSTS)

•

Presence ministry

•

Vocational training

•

Social-economic development projects

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKMENISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

7.0

PRIVATE LIFE

13.1

FAMILY LIFE

8.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.1

NATIONAL LIFE

13.2

CHURCH LIFE

14.9

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Since 1959, Cuba has been governed by a single party, the Communist Party of Cuba, which seeks to control the Church according to its Communist ideology. The government reacts harshly against opposition voices and demonstrators. When church leaders or Christian activists criticize the regime, they face arrest, smear campaigns, mobility restrictions, prison sentences, and/or harassment by the government and its sympathizers (usually through so-called “repudiation acts” which may include physical violence). Also, with the aim of controlling and reducing the Church’s influence, it is usual that the registration of new churches is denied, thus forcing many churches to operate illegally. The authorities will then impose penalties such as the complete refusal to issue licenses, fines, confiscation of property, demolition, and closure of churches (including house churches). The government also seeks to restrict Christian teaching defending a biblical model of marriage and family and represses those who contradict its ideology.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Cuba

Quick facts LEADER President Miguel Diaz-Canel POPULATION 11,306,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 6,936,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Communist State

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

6,936,000

61.3

Others

1,954,650

17.3

Agnostics

1,898,000

16.8

Atheists

476,000

4.2

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

In 2019, the National Assembly unanimously chose Miguel Díaz Canel as President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. The position made him the political leader of the island and representative of the State, thus ending six decades of rule by the Castro family. In 2019, Cuba introduced a new Constitution, which changed some important features (such as the form of government and reinstating the offices of President and Vice-President of the Republic) but retained the single-party Socialist system. Additionally, in October 2019, the position of Prime Minister was re-introduced for the first time in 43 years, with Manuel Marrero Cruz being nominated as the Prime Minister in December 2019. Although Raul Castro resigned from the position of Cuban Communist Party Secretary in April 2021, the party leadership has stated that they will continue to consult Raul Castro on any strategic

planning for the nation. No change in the country’s direction is expected with this new appointment. Cuba has a volatile relationship with the USA. After the attempts of former US President, Barack Obama, to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, former US President, Donald Trump, imposed new restrictive policies and maintained commercial, economic, and financial embargoes. The current US president, Joe Biden, tightened sanctions against Cuba in July 2021, after the crackdown by Cuban officials against demonstrators in anti-government protests that erupted in the country in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the severe commodity shortages and widespread violations of human rights (Los Angeles Times, 18 October 2021). Human Rights Watch groups report that Cuba continues to suppress and punish dissent and public criticism. Punishments include short-term arbitrary arrests, smear campaigns, travel restrictions, raids on homes and offices, confiscation of working materials and poor prison conditions. Additionally, the Cuban government still refuses to recognize the monitoring of human rights as a legitimate activity and denies legal status to local human rights groups. According to the CIA Fact Book, national service is compulsory for men for two years. Evading military service on the grounds of conscience is rarely an option. Christians lack protection, as do all persons with ideological interests contrary to those of the

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Communist government. Government attitudes towards churches depend upon whether they submit to government orders and interests. Christian women and girls often experience pressures and hostilities in Cuban society when they defend their religious convictions about democracy, civil society participation, human rights, a biblical model of marriage and sanctity of life. Christian activists and leaders have also come under pressure and reportedly have been beaten, fined, confiscated and detained.

How the situation varies by region In the WWL 2023 reporting period, incidents of persecution against Christians have been registered throughout the country, but particularly in the eastern part and the capital.

the church’s leaders are regarded as counterrevolutionaries. Thus, through intimidation and hostility, attempts are made to discourage conversion and prevent the growth of the Church. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is made up mainly of Pentecostal and Evangelical groups and includes Baptist churches. As well as facing the same challenges as Historical Christian communities, it is almost impossible for these church groups to obtain registration and have for them and their members the same civil rights as other Churches with state recognition. Due to this impediment, congregations and their leaders face higher levels of repression and harassment. They are forced to act outside the law, and any of their activities is used as a pretext to fine or to prosecute them. Most of the time, they do not have other choice than to gather secretly in house-churches and live in constant fear of being discovered by the regime and Party militants.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Historical Christian communities include the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and a growing Protestant community made up of Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Methodist churches. These churches are monitored and face state opposition if material or preaching opposing Communist ideology is discovered and when they support demonstrators, especially youth. They may also be criticized by leaders of politicized churches, ideological pressure groups, and harassed by regime sympathizers. Some churches belonging to this category are not officially recognized by the State and cannot count on the support of the Council of Churches of Cuba if their members or leaders are known critics of the regime or defy their interests. In such cases, they may suffer the same consequences as unregistered, non-traditional church groups. Converts to Christianity This category includes cross-denominational converts from one church to another and converts from Santeria or the Communist Party. Converts are often rejected by government officials and subjected to reprisals when they belong to a church considered a regime opponent or when

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

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WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Communist and post-Communist oppression blended with Secular intolerance: After the Cuban revolution (1953-1958), the country was structured as a Communist state. Even though there have been adjustments to the original Communist postulates, the country is still ruled according to that political and economic model and the new Constitution has strengthened the Communist Party of Cuba, which is referred to as the leading force for both society and State. This means it is a constitutional requirement (for religious bodies too) to submit to Communist party ideology. In this scenario, anyone not adhering to the core values of the ruling party is targeted and repressed and Christians wishing to act in accordance to their beliefs are seen as enemies or rebels. Apart from the virtual idolization of Fidel Castro and the Communist Party, religion is not seen as playing a key role in society and the actions of those churches that are considered regime-friendly are accepted, insofar as they do not affect the interests of the regime with respect to citizen control. The government welcomes ideologies that counter Christian values even in the private or family sphere, as promoted by some radical pressure groups. Dictatorial paranoia: The manifestation of this engine is blended with Communist and post-Communist oppression. Given that the Communist Party is the only constitutionally recognized political party, anyone questioning the authority of its leaders – whether for reasons of faith or otherwise – is labeled an enemy of the regime. The new Constitution perpetuates the Cuban revolution as a political project and safeguards the need to maintain a system of total monitoring. Such totalitarian control has resulted in years of excessive repression and infringement of citizens’ rights. Due to the restrictions on the religious freedom of Christians and church activities, Christians are at times forced to act against their beliefs not only to avoid being targeted by the regime but also simply to gain access to basic services. Corruption and impunity are used as ways to maintain Communist party power. The government controls the state apparatus at all levels, and there is no independent authority to ensure respect for the rule of law. Christians from any denomination (including the Catholic Church) have no legitimate space to express themselves freely without fear of reprisals.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Christian women are often insulted because of their more conservative sexual values, particularly if they speak out against abortion (which is obligatory in the case of genetic malformation, in line with the Cuban government’s ideal of maintaining 0% of births with deformities). Female activists who speak out against the government are typically fired, threatened, and monitored. Police continue to mistreat and beat the “Ladies in White” (a group founded by the relatives of political prisoners) on their way to and from church services. Domestic violence remains a challenge. • • • • •

Denied / restricted healthcare Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

MEN Christian men, particularly male pastors, are more likely to be arrested or harassed as they often hold leadership positions and criticize government behavior based on their Christian beliefs. Detentions rose significantly following the 11 July protests, which many young men were affected by. Men face beatings, arrests, confiscation of Christian literature, destruction of property and death threats. Within compulsory national service, Christian men are additionally vulnerable if their faith is discovered. The level of discrimination and persecution depends on the attitude of the commanding officer. •

Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

• • • • • • • • •

Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job /business Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

An increase in pressure in all spheres of life and violence caused the overall score to rise by four points. The dictatorial regime intensified its repressive tactics against all Christian leaders and activists opposing Communist principles. This is especially the case after the widespread demonstrations that occurred in July and November 2021 and against those who participated in other similar manifestations of disagreement with the Communist model. Government measures included arrests, abductions, arbitrary fines, close surveillance, denials of licenses and religious visas, and physical/mental abuse.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

January 2022: Eggs were thrown at the house of Roman Catholic priest Rolando Montes de Oca in Camagüey. He is known for being critical of the government, and this was the second act of aggression against him (Aciprensa, 15 January 2022).

•

May 2022: Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, pastor and leader of the Monte de Sion Independent Church and a previous target of government repression, was arrested in August 2021 for his participation in the peaceful protests of July 2021, along with other members of his Church. After being harassed, psychologically tortured, and held incommunicado for most of his detention, in December 2021 he received a first sentence of eight years in prison accused of charges of disrespect, public disorder, incitement, and assault. In May 2022, Rosales Fajardo’s sentence was reduced by a year to seven years in prison, and later his appeal was rejected. His wife also has been threatened with imprisonment herself if she continues to speak out publicly about her husband’s case.

•

July 2022: Raul Capote, a youth leader of the Calvario Baptist Church, after publishing a poem in his Facebook profile criticizing government repression and directly asking for God’s help, was visited by a police agent in his house. He was beaten and then arrested, in front of his wife and children. WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

2023

2022

Private life Expressions of faith in blogs and Facebook posts are closely monitored by the State. Censure has increased, especially after the COVID-19 global pandemic, resulting in Internet access and travel bans. In practice, all Cubans assume that all social media use and phone conversations are being monitored by the authorities. The main goal of this kind of harassment is to encourage self-censorship among citizens. Usually, Christian human rights activists and those who constantly question and challenge the regime face arbitrary arrest and house-arrest, which causes separation from family and church. Sometimes they must remain in their home without contacting anyone and under close police surveillance. Family life The State is considered the main educator of all the children in the country, and its revolution ideology influences children from an early age. Communist education is mandatory in schools. Every morning before the start of classes, all pupils must swear

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

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Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

with their hand raised: “We will be like Che!” (Che Guevara is a Communist icon). Parents who distance their children from the state’s Communist values face prison sentences and loss of custody of their children, they can hardly raise their children according to their own convictions and beliefs, because they have no legal means to oppose against the regime’s intense indoctrination. Children of Christians known to be involved in the defense of human rights face intimidation and other difficulties by being regarded as children of “enemies of the revolution”. A Christian who opposes the government is sometimes forced to relocate to another part of the country to save his family from suffering unnecessarily. This means the family is separated for prolonged periods of time.

©Unsplash

Community life Militants and sympathizers of the regime closely monitor the activities of Christians. Those who have expressed faith-based opinions or participated in strikes against the regime are considered dissidents and are targeted for surveillance and interrogation, as are those known to belong to churches that oppose the ruling party. The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) are the main government informants, and their aim is to eliminate the spread of subversive, anti-Communist ideas with the help of other citizens, militants from the Communist party, government officials and sometimes other family members. All students, including Christians, are forced to learn Marxist ideology as part of the compulsory state curriculum, even at universities. If they try to oppose such forced indoctrination, they are threatened with being banned from continuing their education. There is not a totally safe community

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

place for those Christians considered opponents of the regime. Occasionally, public officials ask for money from Christians, as way of harassment, in order to allow them to perform their activities with fewer restrictions, but this does not represent a significant reduction of risk. The request for money is a “private and arbitrary arrangement” and has no legal backing. National life The government does not guarantee freedom of expression for anyone in the country, especially lately due to the increase in surveillance of ‘rebels’ and the application of Decree 370. Christians, Christian organizations, religious freedom advocates, or Christian human rights activists speaking out about the state violation of human and civil rights, the need to abandon the communist model, the sanctity of marriage (in the context of the “Family Code referendum”), or even scandals regarding the Castro family, for instance, face arrest, discrimination, smear campaigns, arbitrary detentions, fines, prosecution, travel limitations, censorship and more. Many Christians and their families facing such restrictions belong to non-registered churches, especially those related to the Evangelical Alliance in Cuba, which is openly critical of government injustices. The regime has total control over the judicial system and ruling will always be in the state’s favor, guaranteeing impunity. Thus, the rights to procedural guarantees for Christians will not be properly safeguarded, including the right to due process. In addition, under the pretext to avoid foreign interventionism, international monitoring is not allowed. Church life Only a minority of churches in Cuba have legal recognition because they were registered before the Communist Revolution of 1959. Since then, in most cases, registration has been denied on the grounds that another local group has identical or similar objectives, or that the applicant’s activities could in any way harm the common good (i.e., goes against Communist Party ideology). As a consequence, many churches are considered illegal because their registration has been denied. These non-registered churches are considered ‘rebels’ and face penalties ranging from fines to closure of their organizations, prosecution of their Church leaders, and confiscation of their property. Any permission or authorization required by a church or religious leaders considered an “enemy of the revolution” will be arbitrarily denied. The constant risk of retaliations from the State does not allow to Churches to act in the public space, especially on politically contentious issues (as happened with the Family Code referendum promoted by the government), since preaching is constantly monitored and civil society influence is restricted by the Communist government.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

International obligations & rights violated Cuba has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)*

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) *Cuba has only signed the ICCPR but not ratified it. Cuba is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are harassed in the workplace and face discrimination because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christians are arrested for speaking up for their rights (ICCPR Arts. 9 and 19)

•

If arrested, Christians experience beatings and pressure to renounce their faith (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 10)

•

Christian children are ostracized at school and pressured to abandon their faith (ICCPR Art. 18; CRC Arts. 14 and 24)

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department’s IRF 2022 Cuba report, Santería religious leaders and practitioners, particularly members of the unregistered Free Yoruba Association of Cuba, were frequent targets of government harassment. State security reportedly detained at least five members for participating in the protests. Muslim community representatives are subject to discrimination (for example, denial of permission to travel), as are Jehovah’s Witnesses, who are prevented from studying due to requirements for political involvement.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

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Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Open Doors in Cuba Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Cuba, offering: •

Biblical and Christian literature distribution

•

Livelihood projects

•

Biblical training

•

Leadership development projects to strengthen the weakened church leadership;

•

SED / resilience to increase self-reliability of the church and decrease dependence on foreign aid

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CUBA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.4

PRIVATE LIFE

9.4

FAMILY LIFE

9.5

COMMUNITY LIFE

14.5

NATIONAL LIFE

7.7

CHURCH LIFE

13.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The families of converts from Islam attempt to make them renounce Christianity, either by threats or use of force. The country is under increasing threat from jihadists, active in the west and south-east. In the areas effectively controlled by the jihadists, Christians face extremely challenging situations. Christians have been hindered from celebrating Christian weddings. Communal worship and meetings of Christians are conducted with caution in these areas due to the threat of violence from radical Islamist groups. The impact of jihadist ideology is manifested in the community turning ultra-conservative. As a result, Christians increasingly face discrimination in the public sector and are rarely able to secure employment within the local government services. Denying promotion to Christians is common practice. The legal process for registration of churches is long and arduous.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Niger

Quick facts LEADER President Mohamed Bazoum POPULATION 26,084,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 65,3001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Semi-Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context Christians

Number of adherents 65,300

Muslims

25,076,000

96.1

Ethno-religionists

913,000

3.5

Agnostics

14,300

0.1

Main Religions

Percentage 0.3

Source2

Niger declared independence from France in 1960. Since then, the country has seen at least four military coups. However, since President Mahamadou Issoufou came to power in 2011, political and civil groups have been able to assemble peacefully, the situation for journalists and the freedom of the press has improved, and Niger is on the way to forming a multi-party democracy. In April 2021, President Mohamed Bazoum took over. One of his biggest challenges will be bringing the growing jihadist violence in the west and south under control. Since the beginning of 2021, Niger witnessed an uptick in jihadist violence especially in the tri-border region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, with an estimated 300 people being killed in attacks in the first three months. Radical Islamist groups are opposed to the secular nature of the government. The country is battling against various radical Islamist groups: Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) on its northern western border with Mali; Boko Haram on its southern border with Nigeria.

Niger is a Muslim majority nation. Most Muslims in Niger are members of either the Tijaniya or Qadiriya Sufi orders, although Islamists seek to disassociate the population from Sufism and encourage Salafism. Outside the bigger cities and in areas closer to the southern border of the country, Christians with a Muslim background are treated as outcasts by the local communities and at times face violent attacks. The attacks by Boko Haram and other radical Islamist groups continue to cause fear among the Christian community. Military confrontation between government troops and Boko Haram has caused many internally displaced people (IDPs) and a humanitarian disaster. Many Christians who have escaped the conflict live in IDP camps. Christian women and girls are vulnerable to abduction and sexual violence from extremist groups, whereas Christian boys are more prone to being recruited into the ranks of militant groups.

How the situation varies by region Areas outside the main cities, especially outside the capital city, are where Christians experience the most persecution. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, militants have been able to expand their sphere of influence.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians / missionaries face heightened danger and are at risk of abduction. Historical Christian communities Both Protestant and Catholic churches belong to this category. They suffer from the rise in Islamic militancy in Niger and, in the past few years, have been attacked by armed groups such as Boko Haram in the departments of Diffa, near the border of Nigeria. Pastors and church leaders from these villages have been forced to flee to larger cities, fearing for their safety. Such incidents have also been observed in the department of Tillabéri. Many historical Christian communities in areas close to Nigeria live under fear of violent attack. Converts to Christianity In some cases, the pressure on converts from Islam is particularly pronounced, especially in the private, family, and community spheres of life. Parents and relatives may oppose a family member’s conversion to Christianity more than the government. Radical Islamic imams and teachers influence ordinary Muslim people to attack and chase away converts and any Christians found ministering to converts. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal groups are present in Niger and face pressure. This category faces the same kind of pressure as historical Christian communities. Compared to converts from Islam to Christianity, this group is less vulnerable to societal pressure.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: In Niger, the Muslim population is 96.6% according to WCD 2021 statistics. For most of the population, Islam is regarded as being part of their ethnicity: if you are a Nigerien, you are a Muslim. Anything to the contrary is regarded as betrayal, which causes converts to Christianity in particular to face hostility from their Muslim family and local community if their faith is discovered. The secular nature of the state, which has always meant that state and religion are kept separate, is increasingly under pressure. Muslim religious leaders of the Izala group, a radical Islamic group originating in northern Nigeria, are active in Niger and threaten the freedom of Christians. Other Islamic pressure groups like the Tariqa (“the way” in Arabic – the Sufi way of approaching Allah) are active in certain parts of the country (e.g., in Maradi and Niamey). Izala and Tariqa create pressure on minority religions and on Muslims they consider to be deviating from Islam. Niger has a history of good relations between the majority of Muslim believers and the much smaller minority faiths. Nonetheless, Niger’s battle against Boko Haram has stoked local intercommunal tensions and undermined the security and freedom of Christians in the country. Organized corruption and crime: Ex-president Issoufou made it one of his main priorities to combat corruption within the government. Anti-corruption measures have now become law, targeting government officials, their family members and all political parties. In the same way, there are now laws to counter conflict of interest issues in awarding contracts, and the bribery of public officials by private companies is officially illegal. However, corruption is a problem in the judiciary and impunity is a serious challenge facing the country. Office-holders who break the law and engage in corrupt practices attract adverse publicity but are not adequately prosecuted. This situation affects society negatively, including the Christian population.

©IMB

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Like many other countries in the Sahel, women and girls are vulnerable to abduction, rape and sexual abuse by extremist groups and others. Families often do not report instances of rape out of fear it will impact the victim’s marriage prospects, and due to the attached stigma and shame. Female converts additionally face extreme hostility from their families and local communities. They can be divorced, denied custody of their children, forced into marriage with a Muslim man, and raped. Many have also been denied inheritance rights. • • • • • • • •

Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home / expulsion Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Male converts risk being rejected by their families, chased out of their family home, or put under house arrest. Christian men in Niger can also face dismissal from their jobs, or have their businesses boycotted by the Muslim community. As men are usually the financial providers, this leaves his family

vulnerable. Boys in particular risk abduction and forced recruitment into the ranks of militant groups. • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Incarceration by family / house arrest Incarceration by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Niger re-entered the WWL top 50 countries with an increase of six points in WWL 2022. The rise was mainly due to the ongoing pressure and violence orchestrated by violent Islamic militants in the Sahel region. Since the WWL 2020 reporting period, the country has been experiencing a series of attacks by Islamic militants. There are also conflicts that have both religious and ethnic dimensions.

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

A significant number of Christians have left their homes due to the threat posed by the jihadists. This threat is posed by the group alternatively known as the “Islamic State in West Africa” or “the Islamic State’s West Africa Province”, formerly known as Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad, as well as from Boko Haram, a terrorist organization based in north-eastern Nigeria and active in south-eastern Niger’s Lake Chad region.

•

It has been reported that members of terrorist organizations in the western Tillaberi Region reportedly burned government-funded schools, telling villagers their children should not attend secular schools, and forced many villagers to flee their homes. Some of these schools were built by Christians.

•

In the towns of Fantio and Dolbel in Tillaberi Region, jihadists set fire to Christian churches and properties.

•

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2022, Niger recorded the largest increase in terrorism deaths, increasing by 129% to 588 in 2021 while attacks remained consistent. The increased lethality is largely driven by the growing sophistication and organizational capabilities of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This is the highest terror-related death toll in the last decade. Civilians accounted for 78% of these casualties, resulting in Niger becoming the country with the third-highest civilian death toll in 2021. WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

2023

10*

100*

1000*

2022

10*

1000

Private life Religion is considered a private matter by the state in Niger. However, the separation between religion and state has come under increasing pressure from radical Islamic groups such as the Izala group, who are opposed to the secular nature of the government. This adversely impacts the Christians in Niger, since the region is already very influenced by activities of Boko Haram and AQIM. Family life Converts to Christianity can face extreme hostility from their families and local communities. They can be divorced, denied custody of their children, forced into marriage to a Muslim man, and raped. Christian parents can, by law, apply for custody of the children, but in practice, Christian parents fail to succeed. Many have also been denied their inheritance rights because of their conversion to Christianity. Other Christians do not face this form of persecution and are generally allowed to practice their faith in private.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

Community life Christians with a Muslim background are treated as outcasts by the local communities and at times face violent attacks. Christians have been hindered from celebrating Christian weddings in border regions under Islamist control. Christians are not treated equally in the public sector, are rarely able to secure employment within local government services and are frequently denied promotion. Christian men in Niger can also face dismissal from their jobs because of their faith, or have their businesses boycotted by the Muslim community. National life The attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State group (IS) affiliates, and other radical Islamic groups continue to cause fear among the Christian community. The lack of security in the country has affected the Christian community significantly. As jihadists are targeting Christians as well as the state authorities, Christians must be careful to keep a low profile. Many Christians who have escaped the conflict are living in IDP camps in Bosso, Yebbi, Maiduguri, and Yola. There is also ongoing community violence. Church life Communal worship and meetings of Christians must be conducted with caution due to the threat of violence from militant groups. Christians have occasionally been hindered from gathering for meetings, and the legal process for the registration of churches is very long and difficult.

International obligations & rights violated Niger has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Niger is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians can be harassed in the workplace and face discrimination because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christians often experience beatings and pressure to renounce their faith (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 10)

•

Christian converts experience pressure and violence from their family and community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians can face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christian converts lose custody of their children and inheritance rights (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Churches face several obstacles to obtain permits for the construction of new buildings and to receive licenses for legal recognition (ICCPR Arts. 21 and 26)

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department (IRFR 2021), there are no hindrances for specific faiths from the side of the government. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Bahá’í, who are mostly present in major urban centers, do face the threat of violence from radical Islamic groups and have to tread carefully so as not to attract too much attention or provoke persecution.

Mariama, member of the Self-Help group, reading the Bible.

Open Doors in Niger Open Doors has been involved in Niger since 2011 through local churches and partners. Our vision for Niger is for Christians to understand persecution and respond to it biblically, enjoy greater economic stability, continue to reach out to others, have pastors that are servant leaders and are properly discipled. Our programs include: •

Persecution preparedness training

•

Economic empowerment programs

•

Training in cross-cultural outreach and care for new believers

•

Servant leadership training

•

Discipleship training

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NIGER

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 - 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

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LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

4.8

PRIVATE LIFE

13.2

FAMILY LIFE

13.8

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.9

NATIONAL LIFE

12.2

CHURCH LIFE

14.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings A recurrent problem for Christians who are open about their faith relates to Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which criminalizes “shaking the faith of a Muslim”. This means many Christians who discuss their faith with others are at risk of arrest and criminal prosecution. Advocates for the rights of Christians have also been targeted by the government and Islamic fundamentalists. While the law only punishes proselytization, converts to Christianity can be punished in other ways, for instance by losing inheritance rights and custody of children.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Morocco

Quick facts LEADER King Mohammed VI POPULATION 37,773,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 31,3001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

31,300

0.1

Muslims

37,652,000

99.7

Agnostics

48,800

0.1

Baha’is

37,800

0.1

Source2

Morocco gained independence from France in 1956. Since then, the country has maintained relative stability and prosperity. In 2011, the Arab Spring reached Morocco. Large numbers of protesters were frustrated by unemployment and sought more civil liberties. The government organized a referendum on constitutional reforms, which allowed the country to avoid the political upheaval that engulfed much of the rest of the Arab world.

but proselytization with the intent to convert Muslims is illegal. Moroccan Christians, almost all from a Muslim background, face social harassment such as discrimination in the job market, if their conversion becomes known. Some who are considered apostates are referred to the Sharia courts, facing sanctions such as forcible divorce, loss of inheritance, and removal of child custody.

How the situation varies by region The Islamic population in rural areas is known to be conservative; most violations take place in the predominately Berber-populated north-east of the country, the Atlas Mountains and the south-eastern desert area. Most converts live in urban areas, where it is easier to escape family and community pressure.

Islam is the official state religion and 99% of the population is (mostly Sunni) Muslim. Historically large communities of Jews and Christians have declined significantly since the mid-20th century. Non-Muslim foreign communities can openly practice their faith,

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are often under surveillance and risk deportation if they are perceived to engage in acts of evangelization. However, they enjoy relative freedom. Expatriate Christians from sub-Saharan Africa, typically Pentecostal, are usually marginalized and discriminated against. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background meet in house churches because they cannot get permission to congregate in official churches. Converts face pressure from family and society to renounce their faith, though the level of tolerance is higher in urban areas. They tend to be monitored and risk violations if they engage in evangelism. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Morocco displays a more moderate version of Islamic oppression compared to other countries in the region. Restrictions imposed by the Islamic authorities include the confiscation of Christian literature in Arabic (including Bibles) if discovered, bans on cooperating with Christians from abroad, especially if evangelization is planned, and serious challenges in securing recognized places of worship for Christians with a Muslim background. Converts from Islam face pressure from family and community on account of their new faith. Dictatorial paranoia: The Moroccan government views the church, especially activities involving converts, with suspicion. Moroccans are expected to be loyal to Islam, king and country. In past years, the authorities have accused Christians of being disloyal to the king and have deported many foreign Christians without due process. One of the reasons for this sort of government action could be the fear of radical Muslim groups; by appeasing them, the government tries to prevent any unrest.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Cultural expectations bind women to domestic duties, especially in rural areas. Converts from Islam are most vulnerable to persecution, particularly in the domestic sphere. They risk arbitrary divorces, denial of access to children, domestic confinement, forced marriage, and family expulsion. Gaining access to Christian religious materials is extremely difficult, and rural Christians must adhere to religious clothing and rites. Rape and sexual harassment is a taboo area associated with family honor, making it a powerful tool for religious coercion, which is also used against subSaharan migrants in Morocco. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Christian converts are among the most vulnerable in Moroccan society, perceived as having brought shame upon their families. Domestically, family ostracization, the denial of financial support and inheritance, and abandonment by his wife are likely.

If single, there may be pressure to marry a Muslim, though this affects women more. Publicly, men may be interrogated, beaten or imprisoned. The severity of backlash after conversion depends on his social position and political standing. Employment pressure is key, as men are usually the main family providers. Occasionally, discrimination in the education setting also occurs. • • • • • • •

Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home – expulsion Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The score for Morocco remained the same in WWL 2023, with the average pressure remaining extremely high. The violence score increased from 3.9 to 4.8 points, mainly because a higher number of church buildings, including house churches, were attacked this year.

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

During the WWL 2023 reporting period, monitoring and questioning of Moroccan Christians by the Moroccan police continued. The police sided with the perpetrators in cases of violence against Moroccan Christians. The pervasive monitoring forces many Moroccan Christians into self-censorship.

•

Several incidents occurred in which house churches were attacked by members of society.

•

During the WWL 2023, at least five cases of forced marriages have been reported. In addition, several converts from Islam to Christianity, mainly young women, were relocated against their will.

•

Many Moroccan Christians had to relocate inside the country due to (family) pressure. WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians forced to marry

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

2022

Private life It is risky for both local and expatriate Christians to speak about their faith publicly with those outside their immediate family. Doing so carries the risk of being charged with “shaking the faith of a Muslim” under Moroccan law. Community members can sometimes react violently when seeing a convert display a Christian symbol or discuss their faith, and many converts are afraid to share their new faith. Family life Intermarriage between Muslim women and Christian men is prohibited by law. Children of Christians are likely to face discrimination and harassment from peers, as well as isolation from the wider community. Pressure is intentionally placed upon Moroccan Christian families in an effort to force either assimilation or emigration. Community life Christianity is seen as standing outside traditional Moroccan identity. Additionally, it is stigmatized as the faith of imperialists. On this justification, Moroccan security services monitor local and expatriate Christians’ activities. They also prohibit the organization of any groups who identify as overtly “Christian” for fear of evangelism. For Christians with a Muslim background,

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

societal pressure also makes it difficult to raise their children as Christians. Such pressure could, for instance, take the form of bullying at school or Islamic instruction without parental consent. National life Politically, the situation for Christians in Morocco is difficult, as the Constitution declares Islam to be the state religion. Civil society organizations with clear Christian convictions, or which aim to defend the rights of Moroccan converts, are actively opposed by the government. Christian evangelism is banned, and those who engage in it could be accused of “shaking the faith of Muslims” and risk criminal liability. Church life The fact that Christian activities may be construed as proselytization often hampers the ability of Christian communities to grow and thrive. Expatriate churches are consistently monitored to ensure that Moroccan nationals do not attend their services. The state prohibits Moroccan Christians from establishing their own churches. This effort is supported by the fact that the government refuses to permit the display or sale of Bibles which they believe are intended for use in proselytizing.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

International obligations & rights violated Morocco has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Morocco is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families, and threatened with divorce and loss of child custody (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Women converts are forcibly married and forced to recant their beliefs. (ICCRP Art. 23.3 and CEDAW Art. 16).

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Judaism is the only minority religion officially recognized in the Constitution, and Jews have their own religious courts for family matters. Although Islam is the official religion of the state, de facto only Sunni (Maliki) Islam is socially acceptable. Shia Muslims, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and Baha’is face government restrictions that make it nearly impossible for them to openly practice their faith.

Open Doors in Morocco In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors is supporting the church in North Africa through: •

Training

•

Media follow-up ministry

•

Advocacy

•

Literature distribution

Open Doors also raises prayer support for believers in difficult situations.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOROCCO

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

10.7

PRIVATE LIFE

12.6

FAMILY LIFE

10.7

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.8

NATIONAL LIFE

11.3

CHURCH LIFE

10.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts from a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or an ethnic/tribal background suffer the most severe restrictions, discrimination and attacks. They often gather in small house churches or secret groups due to fear of attack. Evangelical churches that work among the Muslim majority, many of them Pentecostal, face persecution. Even historical churches, like the Roman Catholic Church, are increasingly faced with attacks and death threats. Tribal Christians, mostly belonging to the Santal tribe, face an increasing double vulnerability (belonging to both an ethnic and religious minority) and struggle with land-grabbing issues and violence directed against them. Christians among the Muslim Rohingya, who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, face harassment and strong pressure from their community as well.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Bangladesh

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed POPULATION 167,886,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 938,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Parliamentary Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

938,000

0.6

Muslims

149,113,000

88.8

Hindus

15,680,000

9.3

Buddhists

1,221,000

0.7

Source2

Traditionally, relations between the Christian community and the government have been good. However, in recent years, there has been growing militancy among radical Islamic groups. Despite actions by the government to contain and halt the violence, extrajudicial killings and attacks on human rights activists and religious minorities continue to occur. Bangladesh is home to over 150 million Muslims, mostly Sunni. Until recently, the country managed to stay clear of the kind of radicalism that has plagued other parts of the world. However, there are definite signs this is changing. Just over 9% of the population is Hindu, and they suffer from attacks by radical Muslims. Christians are a tiny minority. They experience marginalization and, if they belong to ethnic minorities, face a double vulnerability. Christian converts come quickly under pressure from either

radical Islamic groups or the Islamic culture around them. They face much violence. Churches and all minority religions strive to stay clear of politics, although they notice a growing Islamic conservatism and radicalization in the country. With the swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, social media in Bangladesh was awash with praise and thankfulness. In June 2022, the NGO Affairs Bureau, which regulates charities for the Prime Minister’s Office, rejected Odhikar’s application to renew its registration. The human rights group was accused of publishing misleading information and of tarnishing the country’s image. This reasoning is widely seen as trying to get rid of inconvenient reporting about extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. It illustrates how dangerous it is to call out government injustices, particularly for religious minorities.

How the situation varies by region Bangladesh’s northern region, with the Chittagong Hill Tracts and its many ethnic minorities, is a muchoverlooked hotspot for rights violations against Christians at the hands of both the Muslim majority and the Buddhist minority. In the last few years,

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

another hotspot developed when Bangladesh became host to more than 700,000 Islamic refugees from neighboring Myanmar. Most of them are located in Cox’s Bazar district, at the south-eastern tip of Bangladesh. The country struggles to take care of them, even with the help of the international community. Repatriation efforts have been stalled and the longer the refugees have to stay in camps, the higher the risk is that some will be prone to Islamic radicalization, affecting Bangladesh as well. Additionally, as the junta continues to repress the remaining Rohingya minority in Rakhine State in Myanmar, it is impossible for them to go back. The refugee camps are now also home to a tiny minority of Rohingya converts to Christianity. They face increasing pressure and violence, but have no means of escape.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This group includes embassy personnel and foreign workers from the important textile sector. They are observed and sometimes threatened by radical Islamic militants. This community also includes the Rohingya from Myanmar. Historical Christian communities This group includes the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Bangladesh (Anglican). They are frequently threatened and watched. Converts to Christianity This category includes converts from a variety of backgrounds: Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Tribal. They are facing the strongest persecution, not least from their own families and communities, and often gather in groups secretly. Non-traditional Christian communities This group includes Evangelical, Baptist and Pentecostal congregations. The Assemblies of God, for example, mainly gather for worship in house churches. They are frequently threatened and at times violently attacked.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia, blended with Islamic oppression: Politics in Bangladesh is increasingly dominated by hostility between the Awami League and Bangladesh National Party (BNP). Both parties give in to Islamic groups as a means to attain more votes. Although Christians and other religious minorities enjoy more freedom than in many other Muslim countries, increasing political instability and violence means many Christians find themselves vulnerable in wider Bangladeshi society and are often used as scapegoats. Particularly disconcerting is the opposition party’s known ties to radical Islamic groups with a history of political violence. The entry of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar has created additional economic and political strain. The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic situation has furthered Dictatorial Paranoia as well. Religious nationalism - Buddhists and Hindus, blended with Ethno-religious hostility and Clan oppression: There are almost twice as many Buddhists and more than 10 times as many Hindus in Bangladesh as Christians. Buddhists are found mostly among the indigenous people groups concentrated in Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, bordering India and Myanmar. Among these people groups, the tribal Chakma people are the most wellknown. Over the past years, an increasing number of Chakma have converted to Christianity. This has caused Buddhist and tribal leaders to put more pressure on converts. This is not only done by family, friends and the community, but also by radical Buddhists aiming to strengthen local Buddhist and indigenous groups in resisting Christianity. In majority Hindu communities, leaders and families put pressure on Christian converts to return to Hinduism.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Bangladesh is a culturally class-based and patriarchal country, where it remains difficult to be a woman. Converts in particular are vulnerable to family and community persecution. Conversion is viewed as a betrayal of culture and religion, and with high levels of dependency on males, sexual assault, rape and forced marriage are common. They may also be physically and mentally abused. Abduction and forced marriage are a tangible threat facing all Christian women and girls, including in refugee camps. Many girls remain missing, and law enforcement has proved inadequate. • • • • •

Abduction Forced divorce Forced marriage Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN The patriarchal culture in Bangladesh often results in males becoming Christians first, and as perceived leaders within their families, men and boys often also face persecution first. They are commonly beaten and threatened, victims of false accusations and imprisonment. Pressure from community members and local Muslim leaders has also caused men to flee their homes. As men are the main providers, if they lose

their jobs because of their faith – or are imprisoned – it will affect their whole family. Economic hardship has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. • • • • •

False charges Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

This reporting period saw a further increase of 0.8 points in comparison to last year, continuing a trend over recent years. This increase in score came from a rise in pressure in the Private and Church spheres of life as families watched and restricted converts even more, as they were mostly confined to their homes due to the pandemic.

Jatta and Maina’s son was martyred for his faith by radical Islamists.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

December 2021: Two Catholic girls from the Garo minority were raped in Mynmensingh.

•

January 2022: A 91-year-old Catholic, Malkam d`Costa from Padrishibpur in Barisal, died after being drugged. Five of his family members were also drugged, but survived. His son testified against a Muslim neighbor in a rape case in 2021.

•

September 2022: A Catholic Christian, Sabuj Bernard Gosal, worker at an apparel factory in Gazipur, was abducted and found murdered a few days later. WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Christians internally displaced

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

2023

230

2022

400

135

200

Private life It can be difficult for Christians to practice their faith privately in Bangladesh. Converts live in fear and often prefer to keep their conversion a secret from their family. Those who choose to identify themselves are regularly harassed, bullied and often threatened. Within this environment, it can be risky to meet with other Christians due to family pressure and societal monitoring. Family life Raising a family according to one’s own religious beliefs can be challenging for Christians. Christian ceremonies are frequently disrupted by mob violence. For young Christians studying in Bangladesh, the educational bias for Islamic studies is strong, both in terms of opportunities afforded to Islamic students and discrimination towards those who stand outside Islamic education. This is especially a problem for parents who are converts. If children are forced to continue attending Islamic classes and using Islamic textbooks, this interferes with parents’ right to raise their children according to their beliefs. Community life Given their small numbers in Bangladesh, Christian communities are often at the mercy of their surrounding communities in terms of social and economic security. Radical Islamic pressure can encourage wider elements in the community to treat Christians with hostility, encouraging them to renounce their faith. Mob violence targeting groups of converts has also increased in recent years. Officially, Article 28 (1) of the

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

1972 Constitution of Bangladesh proclaims, “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth,” and Article 29 ensures equality of opportunity in public employment. However, in practice, minorities and especially Christians face widespread discrimination both socially and economically. National life Article 41(1)(a) of the Bangladesh Constitution protects the citizen’s fundamental right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. Legally, the conversion process seems very simple: the law requires that the convert visits a lawyer to present a written signed document, which states he or she has changed religion for personal reasons, under no pressure and of their own free will. For any Christian, Buddhist or Hindu who wishes to become a Muslim, this procedure is almost a formality. In contrast, Muslims who convert to Christianity face strong societal and family pressure in addition to possible legal issues. Church life Increasing hostility towards Christians in recent years has made building and maintaining a vibrant church community an arduous task. Many radical Islamic groups monitor Christian churches, harassing and threatening violence against those they suspect of proselytization. Converts from Islam also face heavy scrutiny from both family and wider community authorities. Due to this, many church leaders are afraid to baptize converted Muslims for fear of violent reprisals.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

International obligations & rights violated Bangladesh has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Bangladesh is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families, threatened with divorce and loss of child custody (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department IRFR 2021 (p.1): “Members of religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, who were sometimes also members of ethnic minorities, continued to say the government was ineffective in preventing forced evictions and land seizures stemming from land disputes. The government continued to deploy law enforcement personnel at religious sites, festivals, and events considered possible targets for violence. In response to a Facebook post on October 13 showing a copy of the Quran on the lap of a Hindu god inside a temple, crowds of Muslims attacked Hindu adherents, saying the Quran had been desecrated, and killed between four and 14 individuals, according to media, activists, and official estimates. Crowds also attacked Hindu temples

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

and property across the country, with violence continuing until October 24. National Hindu leaders said Hindus, afraid of further violence, refrained from public celebrations of Diwali on November 4 in favor of private ceremonies in their temples and homes. Worshipers covered their faces with black cloth to protest the lack of security for Hindus. In June, according to Al-Jazeera, activists from an indigenous (non-Bengali ethnicity) minority group killed a member of their ethnic group for converting to Islam.”

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Open Doors in Bangladesh Open Doors’ work to strengthen the church in Bangladesh includes: •

Discipling and equipping Christians on how to respond biblically to persecution and be obedient to God, especially the Great Commission

•

Providing local language Bibles and other Christian literature

•

Providing assistance through literacy and socio-economic empowerment

•

Providing immediate relief to victims of persecution

Monika’s husband left her and their three children when she became a Christian. Open Doors provided her with a sewing machine to help her provide for her family.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BANGLADESH

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

5.0

PRIVATE LIFE

11.7

FAMILY LIFE

10.2

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.3

NATIONAL LIFE

14.2

CHURCH LIFE

14.0

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The Communist government maintains an absolute grip on power but has set up training programs on freedom of religion for local authorities, as most problems occur on a local level. Authorities heavily monitor all Christian activities, including those of the registered church. An estimated 75% of all government-approved Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) congregations do not have permanent buildings and worship in homes. These are considered ‘illegal gatherings’ by the government and must operate in secret, although the LEC umbrella gives some protection. Seen as traitors to the Buddhist-animist community, converts to Christianity often suffer severe human rights violations from family, community, religious leaders and mainly local-level state authorities. They may be expelled from their community or even imprisoned.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Laos

above should be understood as overlapping. The country is still in the tight grip of the Communist Party; therefore, religion is something the authorities view as hostile and needs to be controlled. While Buddhism is accepted as being part of the country’s heritage, to a certain extent, Christianity is seen as being foreign, especially in the villages, linked with Western values and an enemy of Communism.

Quick facts LEADER President Thongloun Sisoulit POPULATION 7,481,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 207,0001

How the situation varies by region

MAIN RELIGION Buddhism GOVERNMENT Communist State

Provinces like Luang Namtha, Phongsaly and Houphan in the north (where the Hmong and Khmu minorities are concentrated), Khammouane, Savannakhet in central Laos and Salavan in the south have traditionally been places where Christians experience violations from local authorities.

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

207,000

2.8

Buddhists

4,004,000

53.5

Ethno-religionists

3,112,000

41.6

Agnostics

62,900

0.8

Source2

Laos is a unitary Marxist-Leninist republic that has been governed by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party since 1975. International observers have routinely characterized the country’s human rights record as exceptionally poor, due to restrictions on civil liberties and persecution of minorities. Despite economic reforms in the 1980s, the country remains extremely poor and heavily dependent on foreign aid, which has steadily and increasingly been provided by China, thereby making Laos all the more dependent on China for infrastructural needs and in terms of debt too. According to World Christian Database 2022 estimates, 53.5% of the population are Buddhist, mainly following the Theravada teachings. 41.9% adhere to ethnic religions (Chinese folk not included) related to their ethnic or tribal ancestry. These are similar to religions practiced in Thailand. Several folk traditions have been incorporated into Buddhism, so the numbers given

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians generally are not allowed to mix with local churches. However, they were permitted to join two Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) churches in the capital, Vientiane. Expatriate Christians include communities of diplomatic staff and face restrictions, for example, through the police monitoring system. Historical Christian communities Historical Christian communities include the Roman Catholic Church, LEC and Seventh Day Adventists. Although officially recognized by the authorities, they are heavily monitored. In the case of the LEC, there is a tacit understanding that the authorities in some areas play a part in selecting leaders and approving Christian materials for print. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from Buddhism or Animism face the highest levels of pressure and violence from local authorities, families and the wider community. Conversion is seen as a potential threat to government authority and a betrayal of family and community unity. In response, police often act quickly and with a heavy hand to repress Christian groups reported to have been spreading their faith.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LAOS

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities include Evangelicals, Pentecostals and Lutherans. As the government does not allow ‘illegal’ gatherings, these groups need to register under one of the three government-recognized churches mentioned under Historical Christian communities. Unregistered churches must meet in secret.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Communist oppression, blended with Dictatorial paranoia: Laos is one of five remaining MarxistLeninist countries in the world. However, faithful adherence to Communist ideology is pronounced only in a few provinces and villages. These areas faithful to the Communist ideology are strictly opposed to any influence deemed foreign or Western, including Christianity. Local authorities will often take advantage of society’s hostile attitudes towards Christians to justify actions against them. Clan oppression: Animism and other tribal practices are observed throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Abandoning tribal practices for Christianity is seen as a betrayal of family and wider community identity. Village leaders and family members often force Christians to renounce their faith or expel them from their communities so as not to anger the community’s traditional spirits.

How are men and women differently affected WOMEN Violence against women is culturally widely accepted. Girls may experience discrimination and harassment at school, and female Christian leaders may be arrested. Women can suffer economically and emotionally from the persecution of men, especially when their husbands are arrested and detained. Converts face the greatest pressures, which include mockery, isolation and denial of communal resources (such as water) within their local communities. Within the family setting, they might also be beaten or disowned. • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Church leadership tends to be dominated by men, a role that has become frequently targeted. Pastors are vulnerable to attacks on churches and to incarceration by the authorities. Considerable amounts of money must be paid for their release, and leaders report harsh and degrading treatment whilst detained. Christians face workplace persecution and discrimination, exclusion from government and military roles, and job loss. Within schools, boys are more likely to face physical beatings and harassment, and drug addiction is a present threat. • • • • • •

Economic harassment via work / job / business Economic harassment via fines Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical Violence – psychological

©IMB

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LAOS

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

31 26 22 20 19

68 69 71 72 71

The drop in score of 0.6 points in WWL 2023 compared to WWL 2022 was caused by fewer cases of violence being reported (almost one point). However, it should be noted that right after the end of the reporting period for WWL 2023, reports of a Christian pastor killed for his faith emerged. This shows that violence against Christians is still taking place on a substantial level. The pressure exerted on Christians by (mainly local) state authorities and a very strong pressure on converts from family, friends, neighbors and the local authorities did not cease. By putting very high pressure on Christians, Laos follows the example set by other countries still ruled by Communist parties - especially its big neighbor, China.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

February 2022: A family of 12 Christians was attacked, and their house was burnt down in Dong Savanh village in Savannakhet province. Villagers were angry that this family followed a ‘foreign religion’. The attack came after villagers prohibited the burial of the father of the family in the local cemetery in December 2021. A month after the attack, the family was still living in the forest and had been ordered by local authorities not to publish video footage of the case. WWL Year

Christians internally displaced

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

2023

2022

Private life Christian converts either from Buddhism or ethnic religion need to keep their faith secret. If discovered, village elders (pho ban or nai ban) and their assistants threaten Christians with expulsion. Many Lao believe that they are protected by phi (spirits) and fear offending the spirits. Christians are given a deadline to recant and not doom the village. They are put under pressure, and if this does not work, Christians are violently expelled.

under pressure to conform; children can be forced by school or the community to attend Buddhist temple services and practice associated rituals. Christians in devout Buddhist areas are discriminated against in many areas of their lives, such as being denied admission to education and jobs. Christians are hindered, or in some cases arrested, for holding Christian funerals. Even rural churches registered under the LEC are unable to openly carry out baptisms in the country.

Family life Buddhist teachings and animist practices and beliefs are considered part of Lao identity. Christians are

Community life There is immense community pressure on Christians. In provinces like Luang Namtha, Phongsaly and

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LAOS

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Houphan in the north and Savannakhet in the central, local authorities, especially village leaders, harass, monitor, arrest and evict Christians. Police require the church to provide personal information such as photos, phone numbers, and addresses of both clergy and laity to facilitate state monitoring. Christians discovered within public service (including the military) are either dismissed or passed over for promotion. The pensions of Christians who have retired from government service can be cut. National life Although the Lao Constitution stipulates freedom of religion, this right is not respected. Communist

government officials apply pressure, but the majority of violations occur at the local level from rural village leaders. These local leaders are concerned primarily with preserving ethnic practices and maintaining the Communist bureaucracy to some extent. Church life Many church activities require approval from the government, as stipulated in Decree 315. Both secret and uniformed police attend services, count the number of people attending, and take notes on the sermons. The government is slightly more tolerant of religious practices in urban areas, but has often acted severely in rural areas.

International obligations & rights violated Laos has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Laos is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian communities and their activities are closely monitored by the authorities (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christians face discrimination in employment because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Christian children are forced to receive Buddhist religious education and to participate in religious ceremonies and festivals that are not in line with their religious beliefs (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

The state imposes strict limitations on Christian meetings that go beyond the internationally recognized and permitted limitations (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 21)

•

Christians are attacked and expelled from their community for sharing about their faith (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christians are killed because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 6.1)

•

Christians are imprisoned for their faith (ICCPR Art. 9)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LAOS

Situation of other religious minorities Buddhists outside of mainstream Buddhist teaching sometimes face problems when registering monks. Among the ethnic communities, the Hmong (often animists or Christians) in some areas have faced the greatest oppression from the government. Muslims, Hindus and adherents of Baha’i also form tiny minorities in the country, which face pressure from Communist state authorities.

A literacy class run by Open Doors’ partners in rural Laos.

Open Doors in Laos Open Doors works through local church partners to come alongside Lao believers when they suffer persecution for choosing to follow Christ. Physical attacks and expulsion from their families and communities are the common forms of oppression they encounter. Our interventions include presence, relief, practical aid and advocacy. Open Doors also works through local partners to strengthen persecuted believers in Laos through the following efforts:

•

Provision of Christian materials

•

Leadership training

•

Discipleship programs

•

Socio-economic development programs

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 LAOS

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.6

PRIVATE LIFE

9.3

FAMILY LIFE

8.5

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.9

NATIONAL LIFE

8.4

CHURCH LIFE

12.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Persecution of Christians in Mozambique is due to the following: i) Radical Islamic attacks have claimed the lives of many Christians; ii) The presence of drug cartels in some areas is making the lives of Christians, especially church youth workers, difficult; iii) The government is restricting freedom of religion. The war on the jihadists is also creating a new dimension whereby Christians are caught up in the ongoing conflict.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Mozambique

has attacked houses belonging to Christians in some parts of Cabo Delgado Province. Troops from other countries, particularly from Rwanda, are fighting alongside the Mozambican army to push back the jihadists. About half of the population remains below the poverty line, and around 45% of the population is under the age of 15.

Quick facts LEADER President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi POPULATION 33,089,000

The South Asian immigrant population and the northern provinces are predominantly Muslim, particularly along the coast, while some areas of the northern interior have a strong concentration of Christian communities. Christians are more numerous in the southern and central regions, but Muslims also live in these areas.

NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 18,589,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

How the situation varies by region

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

18,589,000

56.2

Ethno-religionists

8,428,000

25.5

Muslims

5,859,000

17.7

Agnostics

123,000

0.4

Source2

Mozambique became independent of Portugal in 1975. The civil war ended in 1992 with a UNnegotiated peace agreement between the thensole party, Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces. This was followed by steady economic and political progress, undermined by the return of tensions and violence between FRELIMO and RENAMO since 2012. Fighting erupted again in 2019 when FRELIMO remained in power after disputed election results. Meanwhile, violent Islamist militants have been attacking civilians in the north. Christians have fled from their homes to avoid being targeted by jihadists. The Islamist group al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) has called for the removal of Christian symbols and

Rights violations against Christians are most severe in the northern Cabo Delgado province, where Islamic State (IS) affiliated militants carry out violent attacks.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Historical Christians include the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. They are frequently targeted by al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah militants. Converts to Christianity These include converts from Islam or traditional African religions and cross-denominational converts among Christian groups. Persecution is severe if the convert is from a Muslim background living in the Muslim-dominated north; such converts are likely to be targets for attacks by radical Muslims. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities include Baptists and Pentecostals. Due to their focus on evangelism, Christians in these churches are regularly threatened and attacked.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOZAMBIQUE

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Since 2017 there have been recurrent attacks against Christians by militants belonging to the IS-affiliated Islamist group, al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ), causing thousands to flee their homes. The capability and areas of influence of these militants continues to increase. Groups are supported financially by working with drug cartels, and through corruption involving some officials in the country. Ethno-religious hostility: In remote areas, adherents to indigenous beliefs see the rise of Christian evangelistic activities as a threat. As a result, clan leaders often complain about such church activities. Dictatorial paranoia: The government of Mozambique is not a true democracy. It is still repressive and puts pressure on some churches to support government policies. The Constitution bans all religious influence in public educational institutions. Some authorities also impose cumbersome registration requirements for religious groups. Organized corruption and crime: Mozambique has high levels of organized crime; drugs, arms, and illegal wildlife products such as ivory are widely traded at ports. The Islamist group al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah has been involved in illegal trade to fund the group’s activities. Cartels threaten and commit violence against churches which are involved in work among youth and criminal gangs.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN The most common violations affecting Christian women and girls are sexual harassment, rape and forced marriage, with Mozambique having one of the highest rates of early marriage globally. This is attributed to the incursion of Islamic militants. Abduction is common in regions where jihadists and their cells exert influence. Girls are used for forced labor, with women abducted for sex and domestic chores. Converts from a Muslim or African traditional religion background are vulnerable to family pressures, such as forced marriage, divorce, denied inheritance, and loss of child custody. • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced marriage Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Islamic oppression is the most common form of persecution for Christians in Mozambique, due to the role of Islamic insurgents. It is reported that Christian men and boys have been killed in attacks, or have lost their farmland and properties, leaving their families economically crippled. Young boys have also been forcibly recruited into militias. A country expert comments, ‘every time the insurgents attack, they mainly target men and boys in order to recruit fighters from the community.’ • • •

Economic harassment via work / job / business Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOZAMBIQUE

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Mozambique’s score increased by three points compared to WWL 2022. This is mainly due to the pressure that has been mounting on Christians, particularly those living in the northern part of the country, where Islamic militants operate. Even though they have lost control of many towns and cities following a military operation by the Rwandan army and forces from the Southern African states, their influence remains very high.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

September 2022: A violent Islamist religious group beheaded at least six people and shot an 83-year oldnun for faith-related reasons.

•

Islamic militants kidnapped women and young girls in Cabo Delgado. It has been reported that over 600 people have been abducted in the past four years and some of these are Christians, as confirmed by local researchers.

•

Many churches and Christian properties have been destroyed/damaged. WWL Year

Christians killed

Christians abducted

Christians forced to marry

Christians internally displaced

2023

100*

1000*

2022

100*

10*

1000*

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOZAMBIQUE

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Private life In northern areas under the influence of Islamic militants, Christians (especially converts from a Muslim background) must hide their faith or risk attack or killing. Family life In the north, where jihadist expansion is occurring, raising children as Christians is dangerous, particularly in areas where government forces have been forced to withdraw. Even within the community and at school, Christians are victims of harassment and discrimination. Furthermore, in some areas where Catholics are dominant, children of evangelicals face similar challenges. Community life Christian women and girls are under threat of abduction by Islamist insurgents in the north. Often, abductions happen after villages have been raided. In Cabo Delgado, Christians have faced harassment for not meeting Muslim religious standard requirements, as perceived by the Islamist insurgents. National life In the north, many churches and Christian symbols have been vandalized. The government will hinder unwelcome church views on issues such as human rights, despite the church having played a significant role in the democratization process in the postcolonial era. The government is seeking a stricter form of control over religion through a new bill currently under discussion. Church life Christian preaching is often monitored by the authorities for signs of government criticism, and jihadists monitor all church activity in the north. The government has been deliberately slow in issuing church licenses and is discussing a new law to regulate religious affairs. Similar to the law in Rwanda, the government wants officially trained church leaders and seeks to avoid a proliferation of small church groups.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Mozambique has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Mozambique is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

In the north, Christians are killed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian women are raped and abducted (ICCPR Art. 7)

•

Christian children are killed for their faith (CRC Art.2)

•

Christian women are forcibly married (ICCPR Art. 23 and CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Converts to Christianity suffer from discrimination and violence in the north (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 26)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOZAMBIQUE

Situation of other religious minorities Other religious minorities (such as Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews) are very few in the country; most are expatriates. There is no specific form of persecution affecting these groups. A significant number of the population still follow traditional African religions. Most adherents live in remote parts of the country and there are no reports of persecution.

An outdoor refugee church in northern Mozambique.

Open Doors in Mozambique Open Doors started support to the church in Mozambique in 2020. We focus on providing emergency support to Christians affected by increasing jihadist violence in the north through:

•

Cross-cultural awareness training

•

Persecution preparedness training

•

Economic empowerment

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MOZAMBIQUE

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

12.8

PRIVATE LIFE

11.3

FAMILY LIFE

12.0

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.6

NATIONAL LIFE

11.1

CHURCH LIFE

9.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts to Christianity from Islam commonly experience pressure (such as isolation and verbal abuse) and very occasionally violence from their families. In hotspots, like West Java or Aceh, radical Islamic groups exert a strong influence on local politics. Once a church is seen to be proselytizing, it becomes a target. In some regions, non-traditional church groups (and even Catholics) struggle to get permission for building churches and are often ignored by local authorities. In the reporting period, violence against Christians decreased and no Christians were killed for their faith by Islamic extremists.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Indonesia

Quick facts LEADER President Joko Widodo POPULATION 279,135,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 34,185,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

34,185,000

12.2

Muslims

221,562,000

79.4

Others*

6,595,100

2.4

Ethno-religionists

6,086,000

2.2

*OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world and the largest economy in South East Asia. It consists of 17,000 islands and is one of the world’s largest democracies. Moderate Islam is being challenged as society moves towards conservative Islam. In the 2019 elections, President Widodo chose conservative Islamic cleric Maa’ruf Amin as his vicepresident in order to counter allegations slandering his religious credentials. Aceh province is ruled by Sharia law, and several other provinces have introduced Sharia by-laws. Another example of Indonesia’s shifting position was a row about the mandatory wearing of Islamic attire, especially in schools. Christianity is a major religion in eastern Indonesia, while Islam is strong in the western and central parts, especially on the most populous island, Java. In May 2022 security forces arrested 22 suspected extremists in Central Sulawesi, connected with the East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) group, who had pledged allegiance

to the Islamic State. In the WWL 2022 reporting period, MIT carried out two attacks that killed eight Christians. This group was finally decimated by the government, thereby sending a strong signal about its efforts to curb terrorism. The leader of Islamist movement Jamaah Khilafatul Muslimin was arrested in June 2022 on charges of treason for staging “subversive” motorcycle rallies calling for an Islamic caliphate. The threat from Islamic extremism remains high in Indonesia. Christian men, especially church leaders and Christian converts from Islam, remain vulnerable to attacks from both Islamic militants and mostly local government officials.

How the situation varies by region The most violations against Christians are experienced in Aceh, the only province governed by Sharia law. Churches were closed there on a large scale in October 2015 and the building of new churches is virtually impossible. Converts to Christianity from Islam in Aceh face the strongest pressure. Other regions where violations are experienced include West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat), Banten, West Java (Jawa Barat) and East and Central Jawa (Jawa Timur and Jawa Tengah). Recently, violence has been highest in the province of Central Sulawesi, with the killing of eight Christians in two attacks within the previous reporting period, by radical Islamic group MIT. It remains to be seen if such attacks cease after security forces confirmed the death of MIT’s leader in September 2021.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Historic communities include the Roman Catholic Church and churches related to various ethnicities, such as the Batak Christian Protestant Church. They are monitored and experience opposition if they are growing in number. Historical churches in poorer regions like Papua, East Nusa Tenggara and Mentawai are subject to aggressive Islamization attempts, especially among children. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background are closely monitored and put under pressure to give up their new faith. Similarly, on the predominantly Hindu island of Bali, someone who converts to Christianity will experience strong pressure from their family and community. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptists and Pentecostals are targeted by communities and radical Islamic groups if they proselytize. Neighbors will often attempt to hinder the building of new churches, and authorities can delay issuing permits.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. Although the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, various regions are governed by Islamic by-laws, including Sharia law in the Province of Aceh. The province of West Sumatra passed a new law recognizing that the customs of the province are based on Islamic law. Despite some radical Islamic groups being banned, they continue to wield significant influence, often re-emerging under a different name. Money from Saudi Arabia is pouring into Indonesia for educational purposes and has the effect of bringing Wahhabi ideology into the country. Radical Islamic leaders instigate hatred against Christians and other religious minorities via their teaching in mosques and in the media. At times, they have even masterminded attacks. Several conservative Muslim political parties, such as the PKS, are known for pushing their goal of setting up a purely Islamic nation.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN While the Indonesian government has recognized the ongoing issue of gender inequality, patriarchal gender norms, child marriages, and high maternal mortality rates prevail. It is often challenging for victims to report incidents and access justice. Christian women and girls are threatened with divorce, which would result in losing physical and economic security. Many women choose to keep their new faith secret, fearing violence if discovered. Occasionally, single Christian converts may be pressured into marriage. Christian women are also marginalized through enforced dress codes, frequently required to wear a hijab. • • •

Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Violence – physical

MEN In Indonesia, both female and male Christians face violations of their rights. However, for men this occurs less in private areas of life. Instead, reports indicate that prominent male figures like Christian pastors and activists are the primary targets of public religious discrimination. They can face accusations and have to stand trials for charges such as “inciting religious

hatred.” The presence of radical Islamist groups in the region has also been a threat. •

Incarceration by the government

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The total score remains almost unchanged, with a decrease of 0.4 points. While the violence score decreased as well, a deadly attack against Christians has been reported in Central Maluku in January 2022. The scores for pressure in all spheres of life remain relatively unchanged (except for the Family sphere). With dozens of radical Muslims having been arrested by the authorities and attacks foiled, organized groups of radical Muslims do not seem to pose a threat against Christians at the moment, but this does not exclude lone wolf attacks.

Sumijah’s grandson, Daniel, was killed in a bomb detonated by terrorists whilst serving at his church in Indonesia.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

January 2022: A clash over land-ownership between the predominantly Christian village Kariuw and the predominantly Muslim village Ori village on Haruku Island, Central Maluku, left four residents of Kariuw dead, while dozens of houses and two churches were burned down, and 264 families fled to the jungle.

•

March 2022: A radical Islamic group prevented the HKBP Betania Rancaekek church in Bandung, West Java, from gathering for worship and disrupted their meetings for several weeks.

•

September 2022: A public official from the city of Semarang, Central Java, Paulus Ivan Budi Prasetijo, went missing and was found killed in the outskirts of the city. He was a Catholic Christian and, as a whistleblower, was scheduled to testify in a corruption case in court (UCA News, 23 September 2022). WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Christians’ business property damaged or confiscated

Christians internally displaced

2023

1000*

211

10*

600

2022

Private life Six religions are officially recognized. Conversion from one religion to another is legal, but conversion from Islam or Hinduism is strictly opposed by families. Converts can be expelled from home or lose custody of their children. In hotspot areas, like Aceh, East Java, Banten, West Java and West Sumatra, everyone needs to be subtle about sharing their faith to avoid provoking anger or strong pressure to return to the Muslim (or Hindu) faith. Family life According to Law Number 23 of 2002, spouses who adopt a child must be of the same religion as the child’s biological parents. If the religion of the child’s biological parents is not known, the majority religion in the region is used as a basis. The government requires schools to provide Christian teachers for religious studies. However, schools in some provinces struggle to provide them, meaning that Christian children must attend Islamic classes. Many Christian children face bullying at school because of their faith; they are sometimes called “kafir” (unbeliever). Muslim parents often forbid their children from playing with Christian children. Showing the general mindset towards Christians (and other minorities), the ministry of education had to withdraw a religious curriculum for teaching incorrect doctrines about Christianity in the reporting period. This highlights one aspect

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

of developing materials that teach about Christianity without having them checked by any Christians, Catholics or Protestants. This seems to have been amended without any problems, but the fact that Christians had not even been consulted is striking (Fides, 29 July 2022). Community life In provinces such as Aceh, West Sumatra, West Java, East Java, Nusa Tenggara Barat and Gorontalo, the number of Christians who are accepted to study at prestigious public universities is very limited. Most scholarships are awarded to Muslim students. Christians can be harassed and ostracized because they are considered unclean, for example by eating pork. There is a growing trend of Muslim-only neighborhoods (Sharia housing complexes). Many Christians find it hard (or impossible) to get promoted and students can deliberately be awarded lower grades in religious education, to keep them from meeting the minimum requirements to become civil servants. National life Christians are becoming more careful about expressing their religious views in public, as statements perceived as opposing Islam can lead to a charge of blasphemy. In many mosque sermons and online smear campaigns, Christians are the object of slander. The Constitution recognizes six faiths (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism) that should be treated equally, but in practice this is often not the case. A 2006 “Presidential decree on Religious Harmony, Empowering Religious Harmony Forums, and Constructing Houses of Worship” makes it challenging for churches to obtain building permits. Church life Churches face problems in construction, and when registering congregations. According to the 2006 Ministerial Decree, a church can only operate under certain conditions. Its congregation must have at least 90 members, it should have the consent of 60 neighbors from another faith, and it needs the approval of both the regency chief (administrative subdivision of a province) and the inter-faith harmony forum. Even if a permit is obtained, radical groups can hinder access to the church. In 2020, President Jokowi spoke out against the difficulties faced by believers of minority religions when they want to set up a place of worship. The president had announced that religious minorities should not be discriminated against, and there was some hope the presidential decree would be amended or lifted. So far, nothing of this kind has happened.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

International obligations & rights violated Indonesia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Indonesia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts experience pressure and violence from their family and community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face employment discrimination because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Churches face obstacles to obtain permits for the construction of new buildings (ICCPR Arts. 21 and 26)

•

Christians are killed because of their faith by members of terrorist organizations (ICCPR Art. 6.1)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Outside the six recognized faiths, minority groups reported problems with stating their religion on national ID cards. In an effort to control, the government supported a smartphone app called Smart Pakem. This allowed citizens to file heresy or blasphemy reports against individuals and groups that have (what the government considers) unofficial or unorthodox religious practices. Human rights organizations criticized the app, saying it could undermine religious tolerance and freedom. The app has now been removed from the Google Play Store and the Apple Store. Muslim minority groups, such as the Ahmadi and Shia, suffer violations and are under scrutiny by both the authorities and radical Sunni groups. The Hindu minority has also been marginalized.

Singing during a church service in Java, Indonesia.

Open Doors in Indonesia Open Doors’ work in Indonesia to strengthen the church includes: •

Discipling and equipping Christians on how to respond biblically to persecution and be obedient to God, especially the Great Commission

•

Facilitating gatherings to foster unity among churches and mission agencies

•

Providing Bibles and other Christian literature

•

Providing assistance to needy believers through socio-economic empowerment projects

•

Providing advocacy and immediate relief to victims of persecution

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 INDONESIA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.5

PRIVATE LIFE

14.2

FAMILY LIFE

14.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.5

NATIONAL LIFE

13.2

CHURCH LIFE

14.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Christians in Qatar are primarily expatriates and tend to be migrant workers. Poor living and work conditions are further exacerbated by discrimination, which, although not primarily faith-related, affects thousands of Christians. A few converts from Islam to Christianity form the other group of Christians in Qatar. They face extreme pressure from Muslim families and community members. Conversion from Islam cannot be officially recognized, causing legal troubles and loss of status, custody of children, and property. Both indigenous and migrant converts risk discrimination, harassment, and police monitoring.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Qatar

Quick facts LEADER Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani POPULATION 2,980,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 409,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Absolute monarchy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

409,000

13.7

Muslims

2,354,000

79.0

Hindus

93,200

3.1

Agnostics

63,300

2.1

Source2

Once poor, Qatar’s exploitation of oil and gas fields since the 1940s has resulted in a prosperous nation. Qatar is an absolute monarchy ruled by the al-Thani family. However, in a major development, first-ever legislative elections were held in October 2021 for the new Shura council, with 30 elected and 15 appointed members. The elections were organized along tribal lines, resulting in the election of known businessmen and former government officials. We expect them to focus mainly on the key interests enshrined in their constitutions, including opposing labor reform for migrant workers (AGSIW, 7 October 2021). The state distributes its wealth generously, which has largely resulted in the absence of much of the social and economic discontent that has characterized the region since the beginning of the Arab Spring. That said, Qatar’s wealth has allowed it to play an active role in the Arab Spring abroad, supporting Islamist militants

and groups, in particular the Muslim Brotherhood, which has raised tensions with its neighbors, most notably Saudi Arabia. Of note is Qatar’s hosting of the AlJazeera media network, which has been an engine of the Arab Spring movement, serving as a mouthpiece for opposition leaders and insurgents. Qatar is also trying to become a major regional player with its airline and the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Christian presence in the country has been growing with the development of the gas and oil industry. Although expatriate Christians have enjoyed a limited level of religious freedom, it took until 2007 before the first church was inaugurated in the strictly-monitored “religious complex” just outside Doha. The Qatari government considers Christianity a foreign influence, with the Ministry of Foreign affairs regulating churches in the country, while accepting that giving the Christian community some freedom is in Qatar’s best interest.

How the situation varies by region Qatar is a very small country, with the capital Doha being the center of all activities. The risks faced by Christians, and especially by converts from Islam to Christianity, depend on their community. Local converts from Islam endure the most persecution as

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

they face family and societal pressure, while expatriate converts to Christianity experience similar pressures as in their home countries, as they are often living within their own national or ethnic communities.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Workers from Asia and Africa are treated badly, independently of their religion. If workers are Christian, this can add to their vulnerability, and they can be put under pressure to become Muslims. Overcrowding at existing churches and government refusal to allow expansion means many cannot attend services to practice their faith, while using residential spaces for worship has become difficult. Historical Christian communities Historical Christian communities are included in the expatriate category. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity with a Muslim background experience severe rights violations. Within the context of Arab tribalism, conversion is seen not only as a betrayal of the faith, but also of the family, clan, and Arab ethno-national identity. Considered apostates, a crime punishable by law in Qatar, converts face discrimination and harassment from society and even risk death. Converts, both indigenous and foreign, face high pressure from family members, employers, and the local community to recant their Christian faith. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities are included in the expatriate category.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Qatari government policy and culture are dictated by strict adherence to Wahhabi Islam and Sharia law. Converts from Islam to Christianity are, by their very nature, secondclass citizens who risk the loss of economic support, family security, and legal protection on account of their Christian faith. Clan oppression: Tribalism still plays a huge role in Qatari society. Religion is highly connected to family identity. Leaving Islam is interpreted as betraying one’s family. In general, families put strong social pressure on converts to make them return to Islam. In many cases, converts are alienated from their families. Dictatorial paranoia: Qatar is an absolute monarchy, ruled by the Emir. While the government has created a welfare state with many financial benefits for Qatari nationals, it expects obedience in return and does not allow any political opposition. The government makes it a priority to keep the country distinctly Islamic, especially due to the low number of nationals compared to the very high number of expatriates. Although expatriate Christians are relatively free to practice their faith, the government monitors all activities. The country is well-policed and expatriates must behave carefully as they can easily be expelled from the country.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Restrictions on women’s rights due to Sharia and the cultural Wahhabi interpretation of Islam make women vulnerable. If their conversion is discovered, female converts risk ostracization, house arrest and being cut off from all means of communication. They may further be harshly beaten, expelled from the home, or subject to so-called “honor” killings. Qatari converts are legally restricted from marrying a non-Muslim, and face forced marriage to a Muslim as a corrective measure. Housemaids working in Qatar, many of whom are Christians, often face sexual harassment or slave-like treatment. • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Incarceration by family / house arrest Travel bans/restrictions on movement Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Besides official restrictions on non-Islamic religious expression, Christians try to keep a low profile by self-censoring. Usually, male Christians come under public scrutiny, since it is men who are visible in the public sphere and at the forefront of interaction with the authorities. Converts risk domestic pressure; if discovered, families can threaten the removal of their

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

wife and children. Christian men often become isolated; they are cut off from the Christian community and may lose their jobs. They may face further physical and psychological trauma and family expulsion. • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Economic harassment via work / job / business False charges Forced out of home – expulsion Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Average pressure on Christians, especially converts from Islam to Christianity, remains at an extremely high level. The decrease in points in comparison to last year is mainly due to no churches being closed this year. Many previously closed villa house-churches were not allowed to re-open, though, which has made it difficult for the affected Christian communities to gather and encourage one another. Monitoring and surveillance continued to be very pervasive. Culturally, converts continue to face limitations, restrictions, and persecution from all angles: the government, society, and their own families.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

During the WWL 2023 reporting period, at least one incident was reported in which the contracts of expatriate Christians were terminated due to accusations of proselytism. They subsequently were banned from the country. Due to security concerns, no further details can be published.

•

Violent incidents against Christians are rarely reported. However, although not primarily faith-related, it is estimated that thousands of expatriate Christians face abuse. According to a report by Amnesty International – AI (AI, “All Work No Pay”, 2019), despite promises to improve labor conditions, thousands of migrant workers still suffer from labor abuses. In an earlier report (AI, “My Sleep Is My Break”, 2014), AI highlighted practices of (sexual) abuse of especially female migrant workers, many of whom are Christian. WWL Year

Churches or Christian Christians raped and/or buildings attacked or closed sexually assaulted

Christians forced to marry

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

10*

2022

100

10*

Private life Private practice of the Christian faith is made difficult due to social, economic, and legal pressures for converts from Islam to Christianity. Public practice of Christianity is illegal. Doing so can be interpreted as either criticism of Islam or proselytization, both of which risk severe legal penalties such as prison or deportation. Furthermore, social deviance from Islam by revealing one’s Christian faith can result in public harassment or loss of economic opportunity. This is especially true of expatriate low-skill laborers, such as construction workers. Family life Raising and maintaining a Christian family for converts to Christianity is difficult due to high social pressure. Since there is no recognition of conversion from Islam to Christianity, the state refuses to recognize Christian ceremonies such as marriage. Children of parents who have converted to Christianity cannot be exempted from Islamic education. Finally, all families are beholden to Sharia law, which can result in the forced separation of children from family members for those who convert to Christianity. Community life Qatari society is dominated by adherence to Wahhabism, a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic faith and Sharia law. As such, local communities and authorities can quickly become

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

hostile to those viewed as “foreign” or in opposition to Islam. Expatriate Christians face harassment and discrimination on the basis of ethnic and religious differences from wider Qatari society. National life Qatar’s government is fundamentally Islamic and dictatorial, and its legal system is rooted in Sharia law. Therefore, the government has a vested interest in halting Christian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), censoring public Christian displays of faith, and arresting and deporting those they view as criticizing Islam or the State. Church life Qatar’s first church was cautiously opened in 2008 marking a large step forward for the growing community of expatriate workers, mainly from South Asia and the Philippines. However, the opening was surrounded by controversy, with many Qatari nationals opposing an officially Christian building in a Muslim country. Security patrols monitor the complex constantly, both to ensure Christians abide by regulations and to maintain peace. Due to regulations, it is increasingly becoming difficult to use villas to gather for worship, emphasizing the lack of sufficient church space at the religious complex.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

International obligations & rights violated Qatar has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Qatar is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

•

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families and threatened with divorce and loss of child custody (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parent’s faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Only Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are legally recognized as religions in Qatar. According to the US State Department’s 2021 International Religious Freedom report, only Sunni and Shia Muslims and eight Christian denominations are registered as official religious groups. However, although other religious communities such as the sizeable expatriate Hindu and Buddhist communities have no official recognition, their gatherings are generally tolerated and there are several unofficial Hindu temples in the country. IRFR 2021 also reported: “In March [2021], the Baha’i International Community (BIC) said it was “extremely concerned” by “systematic attempts over many years’ by the government to blacklist and deport Baha’is, in particular, a lifelong resident of the country whose residency permit renewal was refused in January on what the community described as ‘baseless charges”. He left the country in August.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Qatar Open Doors raises prayer support for the believers / church in the Arabian Peninsula.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 QATAR

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

7.0

PRIVATE LIFE

12.7

FAMILY LIFE

13.5

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.6

NATIONAL LIFE

12.1

CHURCH LIFE

10.8

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Most freedom of religion violations occur at the community level, such as Christian women being harassed in the street or Muslim mobs forcing Christians to move out after an alleged blasphemy accusation. Such incidents take place mostly in rural areas of Upper Egypt and in certain urban areas where Salafist movements are active. Reportedly, Christian women and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds remain vulnerable to grooming, forced conversion and forced marriage. The President speaks positively about Egypt’s historical Christian community, but weak law enforcement leaves them vulnerable to attack, with security services sometimes being complicit. Christians with a Muslim background face enormous pressure from their families to return to Islam. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University (one of the most influential Islamic universities globally) has stated that Muslims may not convert to Christianity. The state also makes it impossible for conversions to be officially recognized.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Egypt

Quick facts LEADER President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi POPULATION 106,157,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 9,695,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

9,695,000

9.1

Muslims

95,762,000

90.2

Agnostics

594,000

0.6

Atheists

97,800

0.1

Main Religions

Source2

The Arab Republic of Egypt is a republic with a semipresidential system. On paper, Egypt is a democracy. In practice, the powers of the parliament have always been weak and, de facto, the president rules alone. The independence of the judiciary is limited, and it is not unusual for the government to simply ignore court rulings. With President el-Sisi sworn into power in 2014, the situation in Egypt stabilized, but human rights have been experiencing a crisis. Sisi cracked down on opposition groups and thousands of his critics have been arrested, tortured, disappeared, tried in military courts and executed. Health workers who dared criticize the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been arrested under anti-terrorism laws. In 2018, the President ratified the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law, which ostensibly aims to combat “extremism” and

“terrorism” but in reality gives the authorities power to block content. Social media is monitored and criticism of the government or Islam is not tolerated. Egypt seeks to be an influential center of Sunni Islam. It is culturally conservative and has a strong national identity. In rural and impoverished areas in particular (where many Christians live), radical imams and less tolerant brands of Islam have significant influence. All over, there is considerable division between Christians and Muslims. Employment discrimination against Christians remains evident, especially in government institutions. Christian businesses can be boycotted. Children in villages often leave school early to work and contribute to the family income. Christians remain vulnerable to mob attacks, which can be triggered by a rumor of alleged blasphemy or the opening of a new church. Usually, the local authorities use so-called “reconciliation sessions” to resolve a conflict, which often results in Muslim attackers going free and a culture of impunity for violence against Christians. Approximately 85% of Egyptians are Muslim, virtually all of them Sunni. Christianity has deep roots in Egypt; Christians are especially concentrated in Upper Egypt and large cities. More than 90% of Christians are Coptic Orthodox. According to Humanists International, Egyptian ID cards include a religion section which only allows recognition of members of the three “divine religions”. Muslim-born individuals who leave Islam are not allowed to change their religion.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Upper Egypt, the southern part of the country, is known to be more Islamically conservative and radical than the north. Most incidents and mob attacks take place in this region, with the Minya Governate being the most notorious and having the highest number of attacks on Christians per capita. However, Christians in the economically disadvantaged rural areas, and some urban areas in the north, experience a similar degree of oppression. This is carried out by radical Muslims, especially in the Nile delta villages and towns. Radical Islamic groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood have nationwide support, but violent Islamic militants are only openly active in the northeastern area of the Sinai Peninsula.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The largest church in this category is the Coptic Orthodox Church. There are also established Protestant and Catholic denominations throughout the country. Despite a more inclusive national narrative, the large Coptic minority faces significant difficulties, including

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

discrimination in education and government legislation that hinders essential aspects of church life. This group has been tolerated by the state and by the Muslim majority because of its historical presence and its significant size of several million. Historical Christian communities are regularly targeted by their surrounding neighborhoods. Rumors that a building has been turned into a church, an accusation of blasphemy (on social media) or a relationship between a Christian man and a Muslim woman are enough to lead to (mob) violence. In other instances, Christian victims are forced to participate in customary reconciliation councils, which leave Muslim perpetrators with few consequences. Meanwhile, radical Islamic groups remain a danger, particularly in the Sinai region. Converts to Christianity There is a small but growing number of Christian converts who bear the brunt of violations, most often at the hands of family members. Relatives punish converts for abandoning the Islamic faith, often by means of beatings or house expulsion. In addition, they remain strictly monitored by the Egyptian intelligence services. Non-traditional Christian communities There are several Evangelical and Pentecostal groups in the country, some of them being second, third or even further generations of converts from a Muslim background. Others come from an Orthodox background. They face pressure from both the Islamic society and to a lesser extent from the Coptic Orthodox Church.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: In Egypt, Islamic oppression operates in different ways. Islamic culture regards Christians as secondclass citizens. This view causes the discrimination of Christians in the political realm and their dealing with the state. It also creates an environment in which the state is reluctant to respect and enforce the fundamental rights of Christians. In the family sphere, converts to Christianity face great pressure to renounce their faith. Christians also face pressure from Islamic oppression in their daily lives, in their local neighborhood or at work. There have been several violent attacks against Christians in the recent past, perpetrated by militant Islamic groups. Nonetheless, the activity of such militant groups is largely concentrated in north-eastern Sinai. Dictatorial paranoia: Egypt has a long tradition of authoritarian rule. In 2011, Hosni Mubarak’s long dictatorship was ended by massive social protests. It eventually led to the controversial election of Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. His government did not behave democratically and was ousted in 2013 by a national uprising supported by the army. Currently, Egypt is ruled by a civilian government led by former army chief Abdul Fatah el-Sisi, after a presidential election in May 2014 and re-election in March 2018. This government seems to regard basic human rights and democratic pluralism as a low priority in view of the huge current economic, political, social and security challenges. In this context, therefore, religious freedom for Christians is not fully guaranteed. Clan oppression: Christians and Muslims act as two distinct groups in Egyptian society. As in many other Arab countries, tribal thinking strongly influences groups, and this can easily lead to verbal and physical violence being aimed at those (who have placed themselves) outside the group. Converts from Islam to Christianity face particular pressure from their immediate relatives for shaming values like the honor of the family. Secondly, in Upper Egypt for instance, many cases of mob violence happen when Christians try to implement official recognition of a church building. There is a mixture of Islamic oppression and clan oppression in such cases, which means the Christian minority must operate carefully.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Christian women from disadvantaged backgrounds are vulnerable to being targeted for marriage by grooming, rape and forced conversion by Islamist networks, mainly in rural and poor urban areas. Police response has often been complicit or apathetic, and many women remain missing. Christian girls, often under-age and from vulnerable families, are lured into marriages. Female converts from Islam may be locked in the home, physically beaten or even killed to defend family “honor”. If married, they can easily be divorced and lose custody of their children. • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied custody of children Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Targeted seduction Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN The number of Christians in senior military or government positions is minimal. Particularly in rural areas, young men struggle to find a job and their faith puts them in a disadvantaged position. The strain of these dynamics has reportedly caused higher rates of domestic violence and divorce. Perpetrators use these financial difficulties to convert younger men to Islam, luring them with financial incentives. Church leaders, most of whom are male, are particularly vulnerable to rights violations (including killings), in part because they are easily identifiable as Christians. • • • • • • •

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The three-point drop in score in WWL 2023 was caused mainly by less reported violence; for example, there were fewer reports of attacks and damage to Christian properties and faith-related killings. Yet the level of violence against Christians is still very high, with at least five Christians being killed and more than 20 attacked among other reported incidents. In addition, a significant number of Christian converts from a Muslim background have been arrested and physically abused by the Egyptian security services.

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

April 2022: Coptic Orthodox priest Arsanious Wadid (56) was killed on 7 April 2022 by an Islamist. The killing took place on Alexandria’s seaside promenade during an outing with the church youth group.

•

June 2022: A Christian man was attacked and killed in the Sohag governate, Upper Egypt. The perpetrator was declared mentally unstable (by his family), an excuse often used to excuse a radical Muslim attacker.

•

August 2022: A Christian father and his son were killed in the Sinai Peninsula, most probably by militants linked to the Islamic State. WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians internally displaced

2023 2022

40 11

10* 10*

19 51

2 117

Private life A key ruling by the Cairo Administrative Court in 2008 stated that the freedom to practice one’s religion is subject to certain limitations, and that conversion from Islam to another faith violates Islamic principles and is not allowed. Conversion is punished via blasphemy laws. Christians have been arrested or attacked by mobs after allegedly insulting Islam on social media. Accusations of blasphemy are easily made, so most Christians refrain from discussing their faith with people they do not know or trust. Social hostility towards converts is very high and even rumors of conversion can lead to mob violence, especially in rural areas. Conversion is seen to bring shame upon the family, who will often cast out converts, force them to recant or even kill them. Many keep their faith a secret. Christians in Upper Egypt are more careful using visible symbols, such as crosses in cars, due to fear of harassment. Most, if not all, Coptic Christians wear a tattooed cross on their arm, used for recognition to enter a church. However, it also makes them easily recognizable for attackers. Family life It is not possible for converts from Islam to Christianity to change religion on their ID cards. The registered religion of the father is automatically applied to the child, so children of converts are considered Muslim. Under Sharia law, a Christian man cannot marry a Muslim woman nor can two converts marry under Christian rituals. The pressure from family to divorce a convert is high. Even if this does not happen, the convert will lose inheritance and guardianship rights

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

according to Sharia law. Islam is dominant within the educational system. Most Coptic Christian children have Christian religion classes at school but they still have to study Islamic literature and the Quran as part of the curriculum. At times, Christian religious classes are not provided and in some cases Christian students have to follow Islamic religious classes. This can be avoided at private Christian schools, but this is only financially possible for some. Community life Employment discrimination is widespread. Christians are not employed in the intelligence services, cannot serve in senior positions in the army and are underrepresented in senior government positions. There has not been a single Christian player on the national football team in the last decade, although Christians constitute more than 10% of the population. Such discrimination has led to a high level of entrepreneurial activity among Christians since they cannot rely on the state or private employers for jobs. Pressure and discrimination against Christians is higher in poor and rural areas, especially in Upper Egypt. Local Islamist groups know where Christians live and monitor them to make sure they don’t evangelize or disrespect Islam in other ways. In recent years, several Christians have been attacked after allegedly insulting Islam or allegedly having a relationship with a Muslim woman. Police presence and government control is less strict in rural areas and mob attacks often go unpunished. At state level, security and intelligence agencies spy on converts and try to force them to supply information on the activities of

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

convert groups. Although all women experience forms of (sexual) harassment, unveiled women, including all Christian women, are particularly vulnerable. National life Article 64 of the Constitution states that “freedom of belief is absolute”, yet converts from Islam are not protected. Recognized Christians are free to manage their own personal status laws and religious affairs, but Sharia law applies in cases between a Muslim and a non-Muslim. If converts try to change their religious registration, it is likely that the authorities will put them under surveillance and prosecute them under blasphemy laws. Alleged blasphemy and speaking against the government can lead to arrest, torture, and imprisonment. Mistreatment of converts by family members is considered a family issue and can be done with impunity.

Church life Churches rarely accept converts in order to avoid accusations of proselytizing from the government and society, which could lead to attacks or a church closure for “security reasons”. It is common for the police and intelligence agencies to request a schedule of all events happening in the church. They have the authority to cancel events under the rationale of protecting national security. Plain clothes police sometimes attend church services to monitor what is said. Churches face opposition, even violence, when they try to legitimize their church building under the 2016 Church Construction Law. Despite the legitimization of over 2,000 churches since the law’s introduction, many are still awaiting recognition. Church events can be held outside, discreetly, in some regions, but many Christians refrain from organizing these as they could be construed as a challenge to Islam.

International obligations & rights violated Egypt has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Egypt is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Perpetrators of violence against Christians are often left unpunished (ICCPR Art. 2)

•

Christians are arbitrarily accused and charged with blasphemy (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Children of Christian converts are automatically registered as Muslim (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians face discrimination in public and private employment because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 26)

•

Churches face several obstacles in obtaining permits for the construction of new buildings and receiving licenses for legal recognition (ICCPR Arts. 21 and 26)

•

Christian women, especially in rural areas, may be targeted, groomed, and forced into marriage with Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Christians are killed because of their faith by members of terrorist organizations (ICCPR Art. 6.1)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Other religious groups facing intolerance, discrimination, and persecution in Egypt include Shia and Sufi Muslims, Baha’i, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Shia Muslims are particularly targeted by Sunni militants, making it dangerous for them to worship and practice their faith openly. Mormons, Baha’i, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are denied recognition by the authorities, making it difficult for them to have places of worship. The missionary zeal and corresponding activities of such groups are considered illegal and adherents face hostility from state officials and society, including Christian Egyptians. In addition, atheists are very prone to violations, especially those active on social media networks.

Open Doors in Egypt In cooperation with local churches and other partners, Open Doors is supporting the church in Egypt through family and youth work, programs for widows and women empowerment, education and literacy training, advocacy, and medical outreach.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 EGYPT

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2022 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

6.5

PRIVATE LIFE

12.0

FAMILY LIFE

12.8

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.4

NATIONAL LIFE

12.0

CHURCH LIFE

13.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings A journalist who investigated the situation of Tunisian Christians in depth states: “Tunisian Christians face discrimination and targeting that is often obscure and hidden to the public eye. It affects their day-to-day lives. Because of their Christian identities, many experience job insecurity, abandonment from family, friends, and even fiancés; they are victims of verbal, mental and physical abuse.” Due to such factors, most Tunisian converts to Christianity cannot worship openly and choose to hide their faith. The hostility and pressure they face from society makes it dangerous for Christians to share their faith with their family members or friends. They also find it difficult to gather for worship due to the risks any possible exposure would entail, while being monitored by the Tunisian security services.

T NO.

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LIS

Tunisia

Quick facts LEADER President Kais Saied POPULATION 12,047,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 22,5001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Parliamentary Republic ©Unsplash

Context

the democracy. A constitutional referendum in July 2022 turned Tunisia into a presidential republic, with almost absolute power for the president.

Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

22,500

0.2

Muslims

11,987,000

99.5

Agnostics

28,500

0.2

Atheists

3,600

0.0

Source2

In 2011, the so-called “Tunisian Revolution” started because of high unemployment, poor living conditions, corruption, and a general lack of freedom. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown, and the Arab Spring was initiated across the wider region. After elections under a new constitution were held in 2014 and 2019, coalitions of secularist and Islamist parties emerged. However, the many governments (more than 10 in less than a decade) continued to struggle with economic challenges and political instability. Though still seen as a flawed democracy, Tunisia showed signs of future stability and increasing civil liberties. However, on 25 July 2021 President Saied suspended parliament and seized power. Promising to fight the endemic corruption, it remains unclear whether he will restore

According to World Christian Database 2021, 99.5% of Tunisians are Muslims. Despite the French legacy of “laicite” (secularism) among the urban and educated elite, Islam is very influential and the Constitution states that Tunisia belongs to the Islamic Ummah. Christianity is regarded as a foreign religion by the government, and there is no formal recognition of indigenous church communities. Tunisia’s Christians from a Muslim background remain socially marginalized and are kept under surveillance by the security services. All Christian denominations have functioning churches in the capital Tunis and are mainly serving expatriate Christians residing in the country.

How the situation varies by region Converts from Islam to Christianity have most to fear from their own family members and society, especially in the country’s more conservative south. Urban areas, especially the capital Tunis, offer possibilities for converts to escape family pressure and live their faith in more anonymity. Violent Islamic militants are active in the southern border areas and target Christians indiscriminately, if the opportunity arises.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TUNISIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are relatively free, although public evangelism is not tolerated. Historical Christian communities This category is included under “Communities of expatriate Christians”. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity with a Muslim background can face violations from their family members. However, they are more or less free to seek information about the Christian faith, particularly content posted online. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is included under “Communities of expatriate Christians”.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: At the family level, converts from Islam to Christianity can suffer domestic incarceration from their families. At the political level, Islamist political parties are still influential. The president seems committed to keep Tunisia an Islamic country, with little respect for the (religious) rights of Tunisian Christians.

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN High levels of sexual harassment and domestic violence, combined with ongoing societal discriminatory norms, demonstrate a gender gap. This is exploited as a means of religious persecution. Converts from Islam face the greatest breadth of persecution (especially in the traditional family context), including beatings, home expulsion, house arrest, death threats and rape. Married converts face divorce and loss of child custody, whereas single converts may be forced into marriage. The main source of persecution is the dominating male in the family, who may restrict access to Christian communities and materials. • • • • • • • • • • •

MEN New converts are by far the most vulnerable Christians in Tunisia. Male converts face intimidation, job loss, denied access to communities, police detainment, beatings and death threats. They may further be ostracized for bringing shame on their families by leaving Islam. Pressured by their families, Muslim wives will leave a Christian convert, and he may be denied inheritance or even access to his possessions. The severity of backlash will vary according to his social and political standing. When a man is persecuted, his family becomes vulnerable and lacks protection. • • • • • • •

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Abduction Denied access to Christian religious materials Denied custody of children Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home – expulsion Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced divorce Forced out of home – expulsion Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TUNISIA

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Average pressure on Christians in Tunisia slightly increased during WWL 2023, resulting in a one point increase in score, while the violence score remained very high. On July 22, President Kais Saied consolidated his de facto coup via a constitutional referendum that returned Tunisia to one-man rule. Although the new constitution is ambiguous regarding Freedom of Religion and Belief, it is feared that the current high levels of government monitoring of Tunisian Christians will only further increase.

Examples in the reporting period During the WWL 2023 reporting period: •

Several Tunisian and foreign Christians were detained and/or interrogated about their activities.

•

Many Tunisian Christians experienced harassment from their families, with a number of them being ostracized and forced out of the family home.

•

A number of house churches and Christian buildings had to endure violence from members of the society.

•

At least three Tunisian Christians, mainly young women, were forced into a marriage with a Muslim spouse.

•

Several Tunisian Christians had to relocate inside or outside the country due to (family) pressure. WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

2023

10*

2022

10*

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TUNISIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Private life Converts from Islam to Christianity experience severe pressure from their families, especially in rural areas. Meeting other Christians and owning Christian materials can be dangerous. They risk ostracization, forced isolation, and economic boycotts. Family life Tunisian society views non-Muslims as foreign and discriminates against these groups as a means of coercing assimilation into wider Sunni Tunisian culture. Non-Muslims are prohibited from adopting children in Tunisia. Spouses who are discovered to be Christian may be divorced and lose custody of their children. Children of converts must attend mandatory Islamic classes and may experience social ostracization, harassment, and even violence because of the religion of their parents. Community life Converts, especially in rural areas, experience harassment and social isolation by the community. Forced marriage to Muslim men is commonly used as a threat to young female converts. Converts have also been obstructed in their university studies, discriminated against when applying for jobs, or have their businesses boycotted. Tunisian Christians therefore tend to seek employment with foreign institutions to avoid discrimination. Monitoring is frequent, and police officers regularly question Tunisian Christians about their activities. Even a routine request for a new passport can lead to detailed interrogation.

International obligations & rights violated Tunisia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Tunisia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

National life Sharia law is not the principal source of legislation, as in many other Arab countries, but Islam still dominates national life. Authorities generally view non-Muslims as outsiders, not deserving of equal status. These sentiments are supported by a hostile media apparatus which seeks to scapegoat and spread misinformation about Christians.

•

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families, and threatened with divorce and loss of child custody (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

Church life Tunisian converts cannot register their churches, and no new church has been granted official registration since Tunisia’s independence in 1956. Registered churches are allowed to operate freely but face practical difficulties, particularly relating to their property upkeep, hiring staff and obtaining permission to publish and distribute Christian texts in Arabic. Although selling Bibles is not prohibited, in practice there are many difficulties to do so publicly. Distributing Christian materials for free is seen as proselytizing and is forbidden.

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TUNISIA

Situation of other religious minorities Bahá’í are not officially recognized and cannot have their own place of worship. However, they have recently had some constructive dialogues with government officials. Jewish groups worship freely, and the government provides security for synagogues and partially subsidized restoration and maintenance costs. The Sunni-Shia divide has been relatively peaceful in Tunisia, although Shia Muslims can experience discrimination, and public figures have spoken out against Shia Islam in the past.

©Pexels

Open Doors in Tunisia In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors is supporting the church in North Africa through:

•

Leadership

•

Discipleship

•

Ministry

•

Livelihood

•

Prayer support

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TUNISIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.6

PRIVATE LIFE

8.0

FAMILY LIFE

7.9

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.6

NATIONAL LIFE

9.7

CHURCH LIFE

13.0

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The Islamic radical group, Alliance for Democratic Forces (ADF-NALU), is active in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The group attacks the local population, including Christian communities and churches, in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. In March 2021, the United States officially linked the ADF to the Islamic State. Converts to Christianity, both from Islam and indigenous religions, face pressure to take part in non-Christian religious activities and ceremonies. Christians critical of the government experience verbal harassment and interference.

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LIS

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Quick facts LEADER President Felix Tshisekedi POPULATION 95,241,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 90,570,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Semi-Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

90,570,000

95.1

Ethno-religionists

2,311,000

2.4

Muslims

1,391,000

1.5

Baha’is

398,000

0.4

Source2

DRC has experienced conflict for more than 50 years, and fighting between a plethora of armed rebel groups continues across the country. In the east, where the ADF is the most prominent group, the situation has been exacerbated by interference from neighboring countries. Under former President Joseph Kabila, weak rule of law enabled violence, including abductions, detentions, and murders of journalists, to continue with impunity across the country. The rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and democratically electing a government were violated. Following a long-delayed and disputed election, Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as president in January 2019. Although the President had promised to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights and released most political prisoners, fighting between security forces and armed

groups, as well as militia attacks on civilians, have continued to increase. Despite being rich in natural resources, DRC struggles with inflation and corruption. Around 72% of the population lives in poverty. The conflict in the eastern part of the country continues to derail the peace process. DRC has great ethnic diversity, however, the most serious threat of all is that the eastern part of the country has become a safe haven for ADF which seeks to create an Islamic State in Uganda and has been targeting churches and Christians in north-eastern DRC for several years. This group is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States State Department. Women and girls remain especially vulnerable to incidences of sexual and gender-based violence at the hands of armed groups. Men and boys are vulnerable to forced recruitment into militias, as well as abductions and killings. Pastors in particular are targeted by jihadists.

How the situation varies by region Christians face difficulties from Islamic militants, who are particularly active in Ituri province and North Kivu, in the eastern part of the country.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Roman Catholic and Protestant communities experience violations from armed groups, such as attacks on churches and intimidation of leaders. In Kinshasa, Kasai Province, and North Kivu province, churches, convents, and Catholic schools have been vandalized and looted by militias or groups of armed youths. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity (especially from Islam) are particularly found in North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces. They experience persecution from Islamic militants and pressure from their family and community. To a lesser extent, cross-denominational converts from Catholicism to Protestantism, or converts from African traditional religions to Christianity, also face pressure from their communities. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptist and Pentecostal churches are growing rapidly and are targeted by the Islamist group ADF-NALU. They also face discrimination by members of historical Christian groups.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: This is present in North Kivu, where militant Islamic groups such as ADF-NALU, along with people influenced by their ideology, target Christians and churches. Organized corruption and crime: Ranked at 169 out of 180 on the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, corruption (and impunity for corrupt activities) is rampant in both the public and private sectors. Christians who oppose it are vulnerable to attack. Dictatorial paranoia: DRC has suffered enormously under different regimes. Former President Joseph Kabila postponed elections for two years without legal grounds. His supporters and security apparatus targeted Christians who voiced their discontent with his rule. The incumbent president, Felix Tshisekedi, came to power in December 2018 with a promise of cleaning up the mess and taking the country forward, However, so far there are no tangible reforms that can save Christians from the brutal attacks of rebel groups in the country. Corruption remains rampant, and the security apparatus remains unaccountable for their actions. Clan oppression blended with Ethnoreligious hostility: Much of the violence in North Kivu, Kisangani, and Kasai has an ethnic component. Some ethnic and militant leaders belong to cults or adhere to indigenous belief systems that generate hostility towards Christians.

©IMB

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN DRC is politically, socially and economically complex. In various regions, women are commonly treated as inferior, impacting much of their lives, including their access to education. Christian women are vulnerable to abduction, rape, sexual torture and forced labor, especially by the Islamic radical ADF group and armed groups in north-eastern regions. These attacks cause psychological distress and trauma, with the shame associated with sexual violence often resulting in family and community isolation. Forced marriage and forced divorce is also a risk, especially for converts, with marriages typically happening at a young age. • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Targeted seduction Trafficking Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN In a context of violence and impunity, Christian men face maiming, abduction, forced recruitment into militia groups, forced labor, sexual mutilation, disemboweling and brutal killings. To escape kidnappers, men may be forced to pay ransoms that paralyze already impoverished families, sentencing them to live out the next few years in even more desperate poverty. Christian men also face discrimination at work and in accessing jobs. This

persecution serves to weaken families and the wider church, especially when church leaders are targeted and if they have publicly denounced violence. • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job / business Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Position on Open Doors World Watch List 37 40 40 57 54

Persecution rounded score out of 100 67 66 64 56 55

The increase of one point in WWL 2023 is the result of the expansion of the impact of the Islamic militant group ADF and other armed organized groups in the country. This expansion did not lead to an immediate increase in violence against Christians, but it has led to a marked increase in pressure in other spheres of life. In the WWL 2023 reporting period, Islamic militant group ADF caused much suffering in society for the Christian population. Armed groups also influenced the content of church leaders’ sermons. Rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and kidnapping were common in the areas controlled or affected by ADF. In general terms, Christians also faced restrictions from the government in many ways – including restrictions in free expression, licensing and operating in the country freely. It is a combination of these factors that has led to the increase in one point.

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WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

July 2022: Suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants entered Lume, in North Kivu province, and burned down a health center, killing four patients inside. The militants killed nine more civilians before retreating into Virunga National Park. Infants and patients were among those killed in the majority Christians town, According to VOA reporting on 9 July, Islamic State claimed responsibility through its news agency.

•

June 2022: ADF continued its attacks on Christian communities in eastern DRC by attacking the settlement of Mamove, killing six women and three men, wounding two other people and torching two houses. In a second raid later that day, attackers killed five men in Kisima-center on a major road leading to the Ugandan border.

•

June 2022: ADF militants killed at least 10 Christians near the village of Makisabo, Beni, when they ambushed their three vehicles. WWL Year

Christians killed

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians physically or Christians’ private property mentally abused damaged or confiscated

2023

100*

1000*

100*

2022

100*

10*

100*

Private life In ADF-controlled areas, any expression of Christian faith is dangerous. Jihadists have killed those wearing Christian symbols, and meeting with other Christians can lead to abduction or killing. Inter-denominational converts (such as Catholics who join an Evangelical church) also face pressure and discrimination from family and community, and may even be expelled from their homes. Family life In ADF-controlled areas, Christian children can be abducted from school or forced to learn Islamic scriptures. Converts (either Christians from Muslim backgrounds or Protestants from Catholic backgrounds) can lose their inheritance and be put under pressure to divorce. Forced divorce is a means of punishment for the convert, and is also motivated by fear that ADF jihadists may attack the community as revenge for a member leaving Islam. Community life Christian businesses have been ruined by the ADF and revolutionary groups. Travel and access to education are difficult for Christians. In eastern DRC, the abduction of girls, especially Christians, by armed groups is common. They can be forced to marry group members. Christians are monitored

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

by their local communities; they may be reported to the police, shadowed, their communications read, or listened to. In militant-controlled areas, anyone speaking out against Islamist groups risks severe violations. In June 2019, an armed militia kidnapped a Catholic priest for denouncing violence. National life Violence against Christians can be perpetrated with impunity and Christians who speak out against injustice or corruption are targeted. Church life In conflict regions, violent attacks have left villages and churches empty. The government monitors churches and sermon content, especially churches that are seen as being ‘unfriendly’ to the president. In some areas, the government prevents church activities, alleging they might turn into public disorder. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has not issued permits for churches since 2014.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

International obligations & rights violated DRC has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) DRC is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and threatened with divorce and loss of inheritance (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being abducted and forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Perpetrators of violence against Christians are often left unpunished (ICCPR Art. 2)

•

Christian children can be forced to learn Islamic scriptures (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians are killed because of their faith by members of Islamist organizations (ICCPR Art. 6.1)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department (IRFR 2021), there have been several attacks on members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the interior provinces. The government also used excessive force against the Bundu dia Kongo religious group, which resulted in the death of over 55 people in April 2020 in western Kongo Central Province.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Democratic Republic of the Congo Open Doors’ operations in DRC commenced in 2016. Our vision is for a Congolese church that provides physical and spiritual support to persecuted Christians, to enable them to be resilient in the face of persecution. We hope to achieve that through: •

Persecution preparedness training and trauma care

•

Economic empowerment and discipleship

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

13.9

PRIVATE LIFE

10.3

FAMILY LIFE

8.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.5

NATIONAL LIFE

11.0

CHURCH LIFE

10.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The increasing presence of criminal groups and the struggle for territorial control causes Christians and church leaders living in those areas to face a constant risk of being targeted. This is particularly the case where Christians are perceived as being a threat to criminal operations and are not obedient to group demands. In indigenous communities, those who abandon the community religious beliefs also face rejection and punishments such as fines, incarceration and forced displacement. General societal intolerance of Christianity and its beliefs continue to grow, especially when Christians express faith-based opinions on marriage, family and life issues.

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LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Mexico

Quick facts LEADER President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador POPULATION 131,563,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 125,738,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Federal Presidential Republic ©Pexels

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

125,738,000

95.6

Agnostics

3,979,000

3.0

Ethno-religionists

1,395,000

1.1

Atheists

150,000

0.1

Source2

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (hereafter abbreviated to AMLO) took office in 2018. He was criticized for prioritizing the economy over health during the COVID-19 pandemic and for his increasingly authoritarian government. Human Rights Watch has denounced violations by military personnel including torture to obtain confessions, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, and attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. Additionally, accusations have been made against the police, the National Guard and the government itself regarding collusion with drug leaders (Milenio, 15 May 2022). Despite the initial support for AMLO, in the midterm elections held in June 2021, AMLO’s MORENA party lost much of its majority in the lower house of Congress and now has to rely on the support of allies to push its agenda (Americas Quarterly, 07 June 2021). Mexico has no official religion, and no religious classes are taught in state schools. According to the law regulating religious organizations, church officials are

not allowed to publicly express political opinions or hold public office, and the state authorities cannot intervene in the internal life of religious associations. Intolerance towards Christians defending their faith-based opinions has increased, often influenced by a misinterpretation of the separation of Church and State. The Census of Population and Housing 2020 reported that 11,800,247 people live in indigenous households, although there were problems with under-registration due to COVID-19. In such communities, Christians face opposition where they reject the religious practices and customs of the ethnic group to which they belong. Since ethnic leaders are those who administer justice in their territories, the religious freedom of indigenous people is not duly guaranteed by local (state) authorities.

How the situation varies by region Criminal networks have spread throughout Mexican territory and are no longer confined to the so-called “narco-states” (Riodoce, 5 January 2022). According to recent information, there are 148 criminal groups with an active presence throughout the country. The violation of the rights of Christians inside indigenous communities occurs particularly in the southern zone, such as Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo,

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Baja California, Yucatán, and Zacatecas. National laws underpinning a radical view of ChurchState separation and non-discrimination affect Christians throughout the country. However, church building vandalism and intolerance towards Christians sharing faith-based views on contentious issues are particularly high in states such as Colima, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Morelos, Mexico City, Mexico State, Oaxaca, and Veracruz.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The Roman Catholic Church (which is the biggest denomination) and small Orthodox, Presbyterian, and Anglican communities make up this category. Catholics are particularly affected by the activities of criminal gangs and the corruption of local authorities, which could include violence actions against their religious leaders. Sometimes, historic churches are not free to teach or share their faith with members of the indigenous communities who follow ancestral traditions. This category struggles with the growth of secular intolerance, especially where attempts are made to prevent their faith-based opinions being heard in the public sphere. Converts to Christianity This category includes cross-denominational converts from historical Christian communities, converts from a criminal (mafia) background and Christians who have abandoned the religious practices of the indigenous community to which they previously belonged. Those ethnic rites could be ancestral or syncretistic (mostly related to the Roman Catholic faith). Indigenous converts often face significant pressure to abandon their new faith and may experience threats of violence, arrests, and even expulsion. Non-traditional Christian communities Evangelicals, Pentecostals, and the Renewalist movement – especially where they are involved in advocacy activities in indigenous communities – suffer retaliation from community members who refuse to accept the presence of other religious groups. In areas co-opted by organized crime, they also suffer the risk of being put under pressure or attacked for their active evangelism. They face criticism and threats for defending their faith-based opinions in the public arena.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Organized corruption and crime: Transparency International (CPI 2021) ranks Mexico 124th out of 180 countries, with a 31/100 score (0= highly corrupt and 100= very clean). 2021 was the third most violent year in a row, judged by the number of violent deaths. In the WWL 2022 reporting period, the government’s plan to control violence using military force proved once again to be ineffective. The high levels of impunity and corruption have led commentators to call Mexico a “narco-state” (Modern Diplomacy, 6 March 2022). Christians, who inform the authorities of illegal operations or act as human rights defenders, are considered a threat to the interests of criminal groups. They can quickly become targets for all sorts of reprisals, attacks (Agenzia Fides, 20 November 2021), surveillance (Aciprensa, 25 February 2022), break-ins and robberies to their worship places and homes (Aciprensa, 14 January 2022), death threats (La Región en Línea, 5 October 2020), kidnapping attempts, and even killings (El Imparcial, 25 February 2022). Criminal groups are showing an increasing level of cruelty when acting against Church leaders (MSN News, 9 October 2022). Clan oppression: The State intervenes minimally since it recognizes indigenous communities’ right to autonomy. In such communities, ethnic leaders attempt to impose a lifestyle regulated by ancestral or syncretistic customs (mostly related to the Roman Catholic Church). If Christian converts reject such customs, they face community pressure through forced displacement (Aqui Noticias, 22 August 2022), fines, isolation, the blocking of basic community services, imprisonment, beatings, and the destruction of Christian property (Evangelical Focus, 18 January 2021). Through the State Commission on Human Rights, measures have been taken to guarantee the physical integrity and personal security of indigenous Christians belonging to non-

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

accepted church groups. However, these cases have not always been followed up satisfactorily. Secular intolerance: Ideological pressure groups and some government authorities seek to promote a secularist agenda which aims to restrict the participation of Christians in the public sphere, especially when they hold positions of public office. Christians experience increasing societal intolerance for expressing faith-based beliefs, including at work or school. Vandalism of church property is increasing, yet the authorities rarely carry out in-depth investigations, not considering it a “real problem” (Debate, 7 March 2021).

• • • •

Trafficking Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – sexual

MEN In a context of ongoing violence and organized crime, young men and boys are at risk of being killed. In areas controlled by criminal groups, indoctrination and forced recruitment is a danger. Those who resist face threats, abduction, and killing. Men face intense pressure and violence as the heads of families and churches, with leaders most frequently victims of fines and extortion. They are targeted for their community work and speaking out against illegal activity. Converts from indigenous backgrounds face beatings, harassment, and community rejection. • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Economic harassment via fines Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend How are men and women differently affected?

WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

WOMEN Ongoing organized violence presents many challenges, including femicides, increased family violence and trafficking. Criminals have exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to upscale activity with increased impunity. Girls may be trafficked under the “mask” of the dowry and are easy targets for abduction and sexual slavery by armed groups. Christian girls are targeted due to a presumed attitude of obedience, and are forced to maintain relationships with criminal group members. In indigenous communities, forced marriage is common, as is physical and verbal abuse for converts, and Christians are hindered from accessing healthcare.

2022

2021

2020

2019

Abduction Denied / restricted healthcare Forced marriage

Mexico’s score increased by around two points, reflecting the highest levels of violence recorded during the reporting period. Criminal groups continued to target Christians wherever they were perceived to be a threat to a group’s illegal operations and took advantage of the weakness of State policies that allow corruption networks and impunity. Christians in indigenous communities increasingly face hostility due to their refusal to follow ancestral and traditional customs (mostly mixed with Roman Catholic practices). Religious intolerance driven by radical ideological groups against Christian expressions in the public sphere is also increasing.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

• • •

Examples of violence in the reporting period There is immense community pressure on Christians. •

June 2022: Two Jesuit priests were assassinated in the locality of Cerocahui. The bodies of clergymen Javier Campos Morales and Joaquín César Mora were taken by armed men after their execution. The priests were killed when they tried to help an injured man, who was also executed. In the same area, some nuns from the same Jesuit community were threatened with rape due to their pastoral work with youth.

•

January 2022: Evangelical residents of San Pedro Chimaltepec reported the closure and looting of their church and the imprisonment of three people for not adhering to the religious beliefs of the community and who refused to participate in “community stewardship”. (Source: El Universal, 4 January 2022)

•

January 2022: The Electoral Court of the Judicial Power of the Federation (Upper Chamber) declared two cardinals, a bishop and two priests guilty of violating electoral law by encouraging Catholic Christians to vote in favor of certain candidates who defended life and family according to Christian principles. The Upper Chamber determined that the Ministry of Interior should decide what legal measures should be taken, which could range from a simple reprimand to a fine of three million pesos (about USD 150,000). (Source: Aciprensa, 20 January 2022)

WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians mentally or physically abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Christians internally displaced

2023

2022

405

Private life After the COVID-19 crisis, online platforms played a more significant role than ever; it became easier for criminal groups to target Christians who published material supporting non-violence and opposing illicit activities. Christians supporting faith-based views on social media about topics such as family, marriage, and the sanctity of life were criticized, mocked and targeted. In indigenous communities, monitoring of converts increased greatly after the pandemic. Where Christian religious symbols were found, they were likely to be destroyed and the Christians using them punished. Motivated by their loyalty to the community, immediate family members denounce converts to the indigenous leaders. Family life Indigenous Christian children have been threatened with separation from their parents or prevented from being educated by them after their parents convert to Christianity and abandon traditional community beliefs. Organized crime is also a cause of separation within

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

families, since the danger of attack can be so high that some Christian family members are forced to look for a safe place to live elsewhere. The recruitment of children by criminal groups has skyrocketed; they were being used to transport drugs in food and medicine and to join self-defense groups. Forced displacement is also a frequent threat to non-accepted Christians living inside indigenous communities. Community life Christians are closely monitored within both indigenous communities and areas dominated by organized crime. Within the indigenous communities, Christians face harassment, fines, threats and forced displacement when refusing to participate in community activities that contradict the Christian faith. Criminal gangs extort protection money from church leaders and other Christians to allow them to conduct their activities undisturbed. In the workplace, under the defense of “non-discrimination policies”, Christians face some pressure to follow postulates and participate in activities that may violate their conscience.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

National life Article 24 of the Constitution provides for freedom of religion or belief, but also restricts the manifestation and teaching of one’s own religion, as well as promoting its observance in a political context. The right to conscientious objection is limited by law and tribunals. Given the levels of corruption, state authorities allow criminal groups to hinder the activities of civil society organizations, especially those working with young people in drug and crime prevention programs or with migrants. In addition, due to legislation regarding indigenous autonomy, ethnic customs usually prevail in religious conflicts when indigenous Christians are involved. The nondiscrimination and radical secularism legal framework is often used to promote a climate of self-censorship against Christians when they intend to manifest their faith-based views in the public sphere. Church life Within indigenous communities, “non-accepted Christians” considered religious leaders are particularly targeted for harassment along with their families. Those who speak out against their oppressors face threats, hostilities, forced displacement and detention. In areas where organized crime is dominant, when Christians denounce their aggressors, criminal groups often respond with violent reprisals. Leaders and their families are the most frequent victims of the imposition of taxes, fines, or extortion. Christian preaching and teaching is closely monitored by pressure groups (sometimes supported by government officials) who label religious leaders as “haters”, “discriminators” or disrespectful of secularism.

International obligations & rights violated Mexico has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Mexico is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts from indigenous communities experience pressure and violence from their family and community to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children from indigenous communities are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christian leaders are monitored, and their activities are actively watched (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian female converts from indigenous communities are at risk of forced marriage (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities According to the US State Department (IRFR 2021): •

During 2021, the government’s National Council to Prevent Discrimination (CONAPRED) received three complaints of religious discrimination, compared with two in 2020. Two were directed at public servants purportedly discriminating against Jehovah’s Witnesses and Muslims.

According to Observatorio Internacional de Libertad Religiosa (29 March 2022): •

Three armed people assaulted a group of around 40 Jehovah’s Witnesses inside a place of worship in Puebla. The criminals entered on Sunday afternoon (27 March 2022), brandishing weapons, and then stripped those present of their valuables.

According to Ciudadanía Express (31 January 2022): •

A Mexican court ordered that a blood transfusion should be applied to the youngest daughter of a couple of the Rarámuri ethnic group, despite the parents refusing such treatment on religious grounds.

Graduates from the Bible Training Center.

Open Doors in Mexico The ministry of Open Doors in Mexico focuses on: •

Biblical training

•

Professional litigation

•

Financial support

•

Research

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MEXICO

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

10.6

PRIVATE LIFE

9.9

FAMILY LIFE

10.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

13.1

NATIONAL LIFE

10.4

CHURCH LIFE

12.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Persecution, intolerance, and discrimination are experienced by all Christian communities in different parts of the country in varying degrees. Non-traditional Christian groups face severe violations from the local (regional) government and from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC). Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background and cross-denominational converts from an Orthodox background face harsh treatment from their families and communities. There has also been an increase in persecution of Christians who left African traditional religious practices. Christians in some areas are ostracized and/or denied access to community resources.

T NO.

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Ethiopia

clashed over ideology, power and resources, killing thousands of people and displacing more than three million. Ethiopia was scheduled to hold elections in August 2020, but they were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the disagreement between the TPLF and the Ethiopian federal government led to a major conflict, which the government called “law and enforcement operation”. TPLF was removed from regional government and a transitional caretaker government was established by the parliament. However, in June 2021, government forces withdrew and TPLF regained control of the region. Not only that, TPLF managed to push the government southwards and entered deep in the territories of Afar and Amhara regions. Following a brief cessation of hostilities, the insecurity continues in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions, adversely affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and hindering humanitarian efforts, according to the UN.

Quick facts LEADER Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali POPULATION 120,813,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 72,396,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

72,396,000

59.9

Muslims

41,450,000

34.3

Ethno-religionists

6,804,000

5.6

Agnostics

92,200

0.1

Source2

The 1995 Constitution established a federal form of government. The form of federal government and the ideology behind “what sort of federal arrangement” (i.e, language and settlement pattern), was supported by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and other ethnic-based political parties. In Ethiopia, ethnicity serves as the primary identity marker, not religion. While religion-based conflicts still do erupt, insecurity in Ethiopia mainly involves ethnicbased armed groups. A series of anti-government violent protests starting in 2015 forced the TPLF prime minister to resign in 2018. He was succeeded by Dr Abiy Ahmed, a Pentecostal Christian who established the Prosperity Party in 2019. The TPLF refused to join his government. In July 2018, a peace treaty was signed with Eritrea, formally ending the war which lasted from 1998 until 2000. However, in 2020, rival regional, ethnic, and political factions

Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, although strong economic growth in the last decade has led to a reduction in poverty. Ethiopia has poor technological infrastructure due to communal violence, civil war repression, and other man-made or natural disasters. According to Freedom House, political, social, and religious content has been blocked, networks deliberately disrupted, and – particularly around the war in Tigray – online discussion manipulated by government and other commentators. Ethiopia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity as its state religion (the EOC) and while it no longer enjoys that status, the Church still yields much influence in the political arena. The interference of the Ethiopian government often generates resentment among the population, since religious institutions are perceived as being co-opted. In addition, a formal political organization on a religious basis is technically outlawed in Ethiopia. Within this context, Protestant churches are considered to be largely (apolitical) agents of Western ideology and interests. The apolitical character of the Protestant movement, including converts from Islam and some former members of the EOC, has increased the tension between these Christians and the Ethiopian government. The country has a very substantial Muslim minority. Sufism has a long tradition, and the more conservative Salafist streams have been present since the 1930s, expanding from the 1960s onwards. The Prime Minister also released all Muslim leaders who were arrested under the previous prime minister.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region The geographical distribution of violations against Christians in Ethiopia depends on what are the main sources of persecution in a particular area. For example, the hotspot of violations as a result of Christian denominational protectionism is in the Amhara region, Tigray, and some parts of Oromia. Hotspots for Islamic oppression are in some parts of eastern and western Oromia, Afar and the Somali region. Gurage, Silte, and Alaba are also some of the areas where violations are most severe.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities The EOC has a massive presence in the country. It is one of the factors contributing to the complexity of the dynamics of religious freedom violations in Ethiopia; as well as being a victim of violations itself, the EOC also plays a pivotal role as a perpetrator of violations. Historical Christian communities face violations, mostly from the government and Islamic radicalism. Also, in areas where tribalism is dominant, there is pressure on the EOC. Orthodox Christians are mostly concentrated in northern and central Ethiopia. Christians living in Muslimdominated regional states (Harrari, Somalia, Afar), as well as local communities (e.g., among the Silte), face difficulties in living out their faith. Converts to Christianity This category includes i) Christians with a Muslim background, ii) cross-denominational converts (from one Christian denomination to another), and iii) converts from ethnic traditional beliefs to Christianity. Converts in the country face violations from different persecution sources. In Muslim-dominated areas, converts from Islam face pressure and violence mainly from family, extended family, community leaders, and non-Christian religious leaders. In areas dominated by the EOC, violations are mainly driven by EOC followers. Converts also face violations from the government (local authorities) in all parts of the country. In areas with a prevalence of clan oppression, converts may face violations from adherents of ethnic traditional belief systems and Muslims seeking to force participation in various religious activities. Non-traditional Christian communities This category includes Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congregations which have a large presence in the country. These communities attract serious violations mainly from the government, EOC, and Islamic groups. They are growing very fast compared to other types of Christianity. Protestants who live in areas dominated by Muslims and Orthodox Christians face various forms of rights violations. This category of Christianity is seen as a threat by many, as it keeps growing in number and influence. As a result, Christians face pressure and violence from many sides.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: This poses a real threat to Christians, especially in areas dominated by Muslim communities. With the rise of radicalism in the region and beyond, radical (or political) Islam is growing at the local, regional and national levels. In the process, various types of Christianity have become increasingly vulnerable to pressure in almost all spheres of life. Particularly in rural areas where they are in the majority, Muslims harass Christians and often deny them access to communal resources. Furthermore, Christians are victims of violence, and sometimes even death. Converts from Islam to Christianity are ostracized and often denied family rights such as inheritance rights and child custody. It is also important to note that the growth of radical Islam in neighboring Somalia and Sudan is spilling over into Ethiopia. Christian denominational protectionism: This is mainly driven by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC). It is particularly opposed to Evangelical Christians, viewing them as followers of a Western religion that poses a threat to Ethiopian nationalism and culture that has long been preserved by the EOC. It is common to hear sermons and songs that strongly criticize Evangelical Christians. The EOC has been seriously violating the rights of Christians who leave their ranks to join (mostly) Protestant churches, or who join the renewal movements within the EOC. Violations manifest themselves in various ways. EOC members use their connections in government to curtail the development of non-Orthodox churches, and sometimes attack Christians physically. These violations are prevalent mostly in the northern and central parts of the country, where most people follow the Orthodox church. Dictatorial paranoia: In former years, the Ethiopian government had become more authoritarian and restricted rights for civil society and religious institutions. The previous Ethiopian government had shown itself to be suspicious of religion in general and Christians in particular. Clan oppression: For the past quarter of a century, ethnic politics has dominated all areas of public life in the country. This political discourse has led to the search for “roots and identity” which has caused some individuals and groups to become hostile to Christianity. Until 1974, the EOC represented the state religion. The country was under Communist rule from 1974 to 1991, when it was overthrown (after 17 years of civil war) by a coalition of various rebel groups formed from different ethnic groups. The ethnic groups were promised respect and acknowledgment of their culture and identity during the 1991 Ethiopian Transitional Charter, which was set up after the fall of the Communist regime. This was initially seen as being a politically sound move, but the government stirred up resentment towards Christianity among some ethnic groups. In regions like Afar and Somali (Ogaden), Islam is interconnected with ethnicity. Other tribes also demand that Christians participate in tribal clashes, and they retaliate if Christians fail to do so.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How are men and women differently affected?

• • •

WOMEN Violations of rights against Christian women and girls (both converts and non-converts) often occur in the form of abduction and forced marriage to a non-Christian. Following her marriage, the wife is expected to take on the religion of her husband. Rape is effective as a tool to punish Christians, resulting in community isolation, family shame, and restricted future marriage prospects. Converts from Islam face the most severe violations. They risk family isolation, house arrest, physical abuse, and loss of inheritance. If married, they face divorce and loss of child custody.

MEN Christian men can suffer physical attacks, displacement, robbery, or even killings. They are strategically targeted as the family provider; attacking them weakens their whole family. Converts have been forced to flee to avoid attacks and harassment. The state also violates men’s religious freedom through the imprisonment of Christian men, a particular risk in Muslim-dominated areas. There is also government interference in church elections and appointments. As the majority of church leaders are male, this mainly affects Christian men.

• • • • • • •

• • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Forced divorce Forced marriage

Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – sexual

Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Forced to flee town / country Imprisonment by the government Violence – death Violence – physical

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Ethiopia’s score remained at 66 points, the same as last year (WWL 2022). The score for violence increased slightly, but not enough to affect the overall number. The overall pressure for Ethiopian Christians remains high, particularly in the community and church spheres of life.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Over 20 churches and church buildings were attacked, damaged, or looted.

•

April 2022: a group of Muslims burned two Orthodox churches and three Protestant churches in Worabe (Silt’e, southern Ethiopia).

•

April 2022: a group of Muslims burned another Orthodox church in Worabe. WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians forced to marry

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023 2022

22 25

20 1

10* 10

100* 215

Private life Conversion from Islam is seen as a betrayal of one’s forefathers and a renouncing of identity. It is forbidden and punishable by family and society. Immense pressure comes from family, whose reputation is compromised by a member converting, and from the wider community. This pressure is exacerbated in rural areas. In northern Ethiopia, the EOC heartland, converts to Protestantism are often cut off or forced to leave the community. In contrast, Protestantism is the norm in areas of southern Ethiopia and Oromia so converts there would not face such opposition. It is dangerous for converts to own Christian material, and there have been attacks on Christians for owning gospel music or “versions” of the Bible contrary to the teaching of the Orthodox Church. Abuse against Christians who speak about their belief online is increasing. Displaying Christian symbols, such as wearing a cross, could be seen as an act of defiance in remote, Muslim-majority regions. Family life In some areas, children of Christians have been bullied and even attacked. In Muslim-majority areas, children are obliged to attend Islamic schools. When an Orthodox-background Christian joins a Protestant group (locally called Pentay), family members, priests, and ultra-conservative groups in the EOC put pressure on the individual to recant. Sometimes the convert is forced to drink “holy water” because he or she is thought to be possessed by a devil. Obtaining burial places in both Muslim and EOC-dominated areas is very difficult for non-EOC Christians.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Community life In EOC-majority areas, those who have left the EOC face serious challenges from community members, such as finding schools where their children would be safe. In Muslim-majority areas, especially rural, Christians are subjected to discrimination and harassment. Bridal abduction and forced marriage of children as young as 11 is common in Ethiopia, especially involving converts in rural areas. Christians can be monitored by community members, who even sometimes send in children to spy on churches and Christian homes. National life Laws made by the previous government restricted religious broadcasting and religious teaching. Expressing a Christian opinion publicly remains challenging, especially for converts or followers of minority Christian groups. Civil society organizations continue to be restricted by law, although there is a new draft law that would lift most of these limitations. New political parties have not been formed for many years. Authorities, especially local, discriminate against non-EOC Christians in EOC- or Muslimdominated areas. Many Muslim and EOC preachers run smear campaigns against Pentecostals and Evangelicals, often claiming they have faked their faith in order to receive foreign aid. In return, some Pentecostal preachers make statements against Orthodox Christians, painting them as backward. Church life Pastors, especially from newer denominations, have been harassed in rural areas dominated by Islamic oppression and Christian denominational protectionism. Pastors are the most visible targets and are often accused of corrupting societal values. Speaking out against instigators can provoke reprisals. Non-state actors, such as radical Islamic groups, monitor Christian activities and there have been cases of churches attacked during worship and property destroyed. As always, converts are especially vulnerable and often hide their faith for fear of attack.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

International obligations & rights violated Ethiopia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Ethiopia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and denied their right to freedom of religion or belief (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians are denied their right to freedom of expression (ICCPR Art. 19)

•

Christian peaceful religious gatherings are restricted, in violation of the right to peaceful assembly (ICCPR Art. 21)

•

Christian women are forcibly married and forced to recant their beliefs (ICCPR Art. 23.3; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

•

Christian women are denied their equality of rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution (ICCPR Art. 23.4 and CEDAW Art.16)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Situation of other religious minorities There are a few religious minorities in the country and these are also affected by the broadcasting legislation, the role of faith in education, and the civil society law. Generally, the civil society law requires an application for registration for any religious group except Orthodox and Catholic Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In addition, the registration law requires a minimum membership of 50 persons for registration as a religious community and a minimum of 15 persons for a ministry or association to be registered and granted permission. This has had serious impact on newer religious minorities. In some areas, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses (where their numbers are less than 50) struggle to have an official place of worship. This is particularly true where majority groups are known to be hostile towards religious minorities.

Open Doors in Ethiopia Open Doors has been active in Ethiopia since the late 1980s. We work through the local church to provide theological training, practical, and spiritual support, skills training for socio-economic development, and trauma care.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 ETHIOPIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.1

PRIVATE LIFE

13.2

FAMILY LIFE

12.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.6

NATIONAL LIFE

13.9

CHURCH LIFE

14.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings All Bhutanese citizens are expected to follow Buddhism. Converts to Christianity will be watched with suspicion, and efforts are usually made by family and community to bring them back to their former religion. Besides converts, many Christians come from the Nepalese minority. No churches have official state recognition, which means that Christians are technically worshiping illegally. Local authorities often refuse to issue Christians with a non-objection certificate which is needed for loan applications, registering property, applying for jobs and the renewal of ID cards.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Bhutan

Quick facts LEADER King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck POPULATION 788,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 18,8001 MAIN RELIGION Buddhism GOVERNMENT Constitutional Monarchy ©Unsplash

Context Main Religions Christians Buddhists Hindus Ethno-religionists

Number of adherents 18,800 647,000 92,900 27,100

Percentage 2.4 82.1 11.8 3.4

Source2

A constitutional monarchy, the king is young, popular and regarded as the guardian of Buddhism. Under the National Security Act 1992, it is treason to speak against the king, people, or country and anyone guilty can be jailed. Bhutan is a very small country, bordering the two most populous countries in the world, China and India. China has also been building village infrastructure on another part of Bhutanese territory, thus tacitly claiming ownership of land for the Tibet Autonomous Region. This position requires wisdom in balancing foreign relations, although traditionally ties with India have always been stronger. Bhutan has so far avoided offending China.

status. Christian groups are able to meet but must do so without raising any attention. Churches that applied for registration have continued to await approval from the government’s Commission for Religious Organizations (CRO). Bhutan’s economy heavily relies on tourism. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the country re-opened for international tourists from September 2021. However, the daily amount those tourists are obliged to spend increased from 70 to 200 USD, potentially limiting the number of tourist arrivals.

All citizens are expected to follow Buddhism. Deviants are regarded with suspicion and become social pariahs. Most Christians come from a Nepalese background, many of whom are living in the south. During the country’s UN Universal Periodic Review in 2019, the government stated that, “Registration of a religious organization is not a prerequisite for practice,’’ but Christians still have not been given legal

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2021) (Adapted according to OD-estimate)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region There are no hotspots where more violations are experienced.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians There are very few expat Christians, and they are not able to join house churches. Historical Christian communities The small number of Roman Catholics are tolerated but the Roman Catholic Church lacks official recognition and is subject to discrimination. Converts to Christianity Converts from a Buddhist, Hindu, or ethnic background face discrimination as well as strong pressure from family and community to return to Buddhism, Hinduism, or the traditional Bön faith. Non-traditional Christian communities These include Evangelical and Pentecostal communities. They are closely monitored by the authorities; raids and arrests occasionally occur.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Religious nationalism - Buddhist: Though technically a secular state, Bhutan’s spiritual heritage is Mahayana Buddhism. According to the Constitution, incorporated by the king, “It is the responsibility of all religious institutions and personalities to promote the spiritual heritage of the country.” The king is a very visible and youthful sign of religion, and is highly revered. No Christian congregation has been allowed to build a church structure. Especially in rural areas, Buddhist monks oppose the presence of Christians, putting pressure on them to reconvert. Officials tend to side with the monks (there is a practice of monks working for the government) and are willing to do whatever is necessary to preserve the Buddhist social fabric. Society is closely-knit and any deviation is perceived as disturbing the harmony, so family and community also put pressure on converts.

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Although gender inequality has historically favored women in Bhutan’s traditional matriarchal society, limited political representation and high rates of child marriage create an environment of contradictions which put significant family pressure on women. Women who convert from Buddhism to Christianity are at the greatest risk of persecution, typically through family disownment or divorce. Christians married to non-Christians are under pressure to stay with their husbands, despite domestic abuse. For single converts, forced marriage is a tangible threat, as well as being disowned and forced to leave the family home. • • • • •

Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Forced out of home / expulsion Violence – psychological

MEN Traditional matriarchal norms means that inheritance and land ownership is preferred, though not legislated, to pass down the female line. Male converts may be disowned by their family, expelled from their home, and lose their inheritance. They may further be rejected by their peers and local community, compounding the sense of isolation. Men

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

may also experience discrimination in the workplace. When they lose their job or are excluded from the traditional way of farming, their family is affected as they are typically the financial provider. • • • •

Denied inheritance of possessions Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Persecution Position on Open Doors rounded score World Watch List out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The score for Bhutan marginally decreased by 0.4 points. Fewer incidents of violence were reported, but this may also be due to the fact that Bhutan was almost closed for traveling at least for parts of the reporting period. The Church sphere of life increased most in scores, as meetings of Christians remained difficult. Pressure was on a comparable level in all spheres, reflecting in particular the continued difficulties faced by Christian converts from Buddhism or ethnic-animist religion.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period For security reasons, no details can be published here.

Private life All conversions are strictly opposed by family, community, religious authorities and the state; even giving out a Christian leaflet can lead to arrest. Section 463 (A) of the country’s Penal Code states that conversion by means of “coercion” or “other means of inducement” is a punishable offense. The terms are not clearly defined, making it easier for authorities and religious leaders to use it as anti-conversion legislation. Converts usually hide their faith publicly and meet discreetly with others. Christians and even churches avoid displaying Christian images in public since it might provoke a negative reaction from nationalist and radical Buddhists. Family life Children of Christians experience pressure and discrimination from school teachers and classmates. They are required to learn about Buddhism and participate in rituals and prayers, including bowing down to shrines. Christian funerals will often be prevented by non-Christian family members, society, and the authorities. Deceased Christians have to be buried in neighboring India due to strong opposition. Baptisms are seen as the ultimate proof of conversion by “inducement” and are therefore carried out in secret.

can be punished by up to three years in prison. The Commission for Religious Organization (CRO), the state authority that provides registration for religious organizations, has not yet recognized any Christian civil society organizations or political parties. Church life Registration continues to be the biggest problem for churches, as without it they are technically illegal. Although the national government says that Christians may gather, meetings are disrupted by villagers or their legality is questioned at a local level. Christian groups who seek registration with the Commission of Religious Organizations (CRO) do not receive a response. Bibles and other Christian materials cannot be produced in Bhutan and importing them is not allowed, unless they are brought in small quantities for private use only.

Community life Christians are expected to participate in Buddhist activities particularly in villages, and failure to do so leads to harassment. Christians are monitored (e.g., phone tapping, social media usage observed) by their local community and reported to the authorities. If a Christian is accused under the anti-conversion law, they are called to the police station and interrogated. Christians miss out on employment opportunities and government subsidy schemes, or can be dismissed if their Christian faith becomes known. For these reasons, Christians often hide their faith. National life The Constitution protects Mahayana Buddhism as the nation’s “spiritual heritage”. Although the Constitution mentions the right to freedom of religion or belief, Section 463 (A) of the Penal Code states: “A defendant shall be guilty of the offense of compelling others to belong to another faith if the defendant used coercion or other forms of inducement to cause the conversion of a person from one religion or faith to another.” This

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

International obligations & rights violated Bhutan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

2. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Bhutan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christian children are forced to receive Buddhist religious education and to participate in religious ceremonies and festivals that are not in line with their religious beliefs (CRC Art)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being forcibly married to non-Christian men (CEDAW Art. 16)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Lhotshampas, who generally live in southern Bhutan but are of Nepalese descent, are a mostly Hindu group, comprising around 33% of the population. They have been victims of severe state discrimination and persecution by Bhutan and Nepal in recent decades. As a result, in part due to the “One nation, one people” assimilationist policy of enforcing the traditions of the dominant Drukpa Buddhist elite on all members of the Bhutanese population, many minorities find themselves stripped of citizenship rights and unable to access education, employment, healthcare or housing.

©Alamy

Open Doors in Bhutan Open Doors local partners provide immediate aid to Bhutanese believers when their faith in Christ leads to various kinds of persecution. We strengthen the persecuted church in Bhutan, primarily through prayer support and other practical emergency support.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BHUTAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

All photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

5.7

PRIVATE LIFE

12.8

FAMILY LIFE

11.5

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.8

NATIONAL LIFE

13.0

CHURCH LIFE

11.5

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The very strong Religious nationalism in society puts a lot of pressure on Christians. Nationalism and Islam are intrinsically linked and anyone who is not a Muslim, particularly a convert or someone who openly lives out their different faith, is not seen to be a loyal Turk. The government has started to target foreign (Western) Christians, and has also banned foreign Christians with Turkish spouses and children from the country. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is not legally forbidden. However, converts from Islam are pressurized by their families and communities to return to Islam. Some Christians are therefore compelled to lead a double life and hide their conversion. Once discovered, a Christian with a Muslim background may be threatened with divorce and the loss of inheritance rights by family members. Christians from all categories of Christian communities have limited access to state employment, and experience discrimination in private employment, especially where employers have ties to the government. Since religious affiliation is still recorded on ID cards (nowadays via an electronic chip), it is easy to discriminate against Christian job applicants.

T NO.

©Unsplash

LIS

Turkey

Quick facts LEADER President Recep Tayyip Erdogan POPULATION 85,562,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 171,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©IMB

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

171,000

0.2

Muslims

84,148,000

98.3

Agnostics

932,000

1.1

Others

155,500

0.2

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Turkey is a presidential republic, currently under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to Turkish legislation based on the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, only four religious groups are recognized by the state: Sunni Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Armenian Apostolics, and Judaism. A citizen’s religion is recorded in official documents, although since 2017 new ID cards no longer have a written entry for religion anymore. However, religious affiliation is still registered on the ID card’s electronic chip, and it is still common for government officials to ask for one’s religion. Turkish legislation does not allow the training of church ministers in private education centers. As a result, all Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic seminaries were forced to shut down in the 1970s and 1980s and remain closed to this day. But under the

guarantees of the Lausanne Treaty, the Greek and Armenian communities still maintain church grade schools accredited by the Ministry of Education. The Catholic and Protestant churches are able to provide catechetical training for their children on church premises. Turkish Christians from a Muslim background have no facilities at all. Though officially a secular state since Ataturk’s reforms in the early 20th century, Turkey is Islamizing under nationalist President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, particularly since the failed 2016 coup. The Turkish Constitution, while not technically limiting freedom of religion, promotes Turkish national character and Sunni Islam above all other identities. Due to increasing Islamization, it has reportedly become harder for women (both Christian and secular) who do not wear a head-covering to obtain employment. Purchasing premises for church use can prove difficult, since Turkish law stipulates that only certain buildings can be designated as churches. Whether permission is granted will depend on the inclination of the mayor and the attitude of the local population. Non-Muslims are tacitly banned from jobs in state administration and the security forces. Non-Muslims state that when they enlist for military service, their religious affiliation is noted by their superiors and there is also a “security check”. Conversion is not prohibited by law. However, conversion to Christianity is widely considered to be unacceptable.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

How the situation varies by region Historical Christian groups like the Armenian and Assyrian (Syriac) churches face high pressure and hostility in south-eastern Turkey. For decades, they have been casualties of an ongoing conflict between the Turkish army and Kurdish nationalist groups. Most Turkish Christian communities are in the Western coastal cities, including Istanbul. These cities tend to be more moderate and secular, while inland areas are more conservative, Islamic, and socially hostile towards Christians, including converts from Islam to Christianity.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Historical Christian communities include the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches (the only churches recognized by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923), and the Assyrian, Syriac Orthodox, and Syriac Catholic churches. All these are monitored regularly and subjected to controls and limitations by the government. Their members are considered “foreign” in many official dealings, and they encounter legal and bureaucratic obstacles, as well as police and community harassment. For example, the Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches require permission from the Turkish government to select new church leaders. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background bear the brunt of rights violations in Turkey. Pressure comes from family, the community, and even local authorities. They are considered traitors to the Turkish identity. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities include Baptists and Pentecostals. This category is blended with the community of converts to Christianity. They mostly exist as small groups and meet in private homes, which can lead to opposition from neighbors. A new, growing group of Christians in Turkey consists of Christian refugees from neighboring countries, including Iran. They face high levels of social hostility, primarily because of their refugee status, but their faith makes them extra vulnerable.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression combined with Religious nationalism - Islamic: Fierce, fanatical nationalism affects all ethnic minorities in Turkey. Conversion to Christianity from Islam is seen as an offense to family and nation; converts face harassment and familial, communal, and economic exclusion. The general opinion is that a true Turk is a Muslim. Conversion is not only a question of family honor being damaged, it is also seen as “insulting Turkishness”. This can result in court cases and imprisonment. Some converts may even face threats of violence from radical nationalist Islamist groups. Other ethnic minorities (such as Greeks, Armenians, and Syriacs) face similar societal pressure and violence, as well as legal challenges and economic exclusion. Ethno-religious hostility: This source has grown stronger in the context of the Kurdish conflict. Syriac Christians in the south-eastern region particularly feel the pressure from the Syrian civil war and are caught between Kurdish clans, the government, and the Kurdish militant group, PKK. Tribal leaders use their power to push out the Syriacs from their homeland in the south-east. Clan oppression: Tribal law and customs still play an important role, especially in the eastern provinces of Turkey. Converts from Islam are likely to face more pressure there, as conversion to Christianity is not only seen as a betrayal of Islam, but also of family and clan. Dictatorial paranoia: Since the failed coup of July 2016, President Erdoğan’s government has cracked down against opposition, becoming increasingly anti-democratic and openly restricting freedom throughout Turkish society. The media have been curtailed, with President Erdoğan claiming that “democracy and free press are incompatible” and journalists are being imprisoned.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Prevailing culture and lack of implementation of equal rights has allowed some gender inequality and high levels of domestic violence. Converts are most vulnerable, particularly in rural areas, as conversion contradicts the expectations for women to bring honor to their family. Women face house arrest, physical and sexual abuse, harassment and rejection, causing some to flee their homes to find safety. Within a shame and honor culture, many abuse victims carry trauma alone. Women also face pressure in the public sphere, such as expectations to meet Islamic ideals of dress/conduct. • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Economic harassment via work / job / business Enforced religious dress code Forced out of home – expulsion Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Institutional and communal discrimination and hostility affects all Christians, but men face additional pressures of interwoven religious and cultural expectations. They are expected to defend Islam and Turkishness, closely aligned in public perception, often preventing men from ever entering church. Christian men and boys can be detained, threatened, arrested and mistreated by the authorities. They face job loss, inheritance loss, family rejection, or can be deported (especially expatriate Christians). The military service environment can also lead to

discrimination and harassment. Work in both the public and private sectors is difficult. • • • • • • •

Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The average pressure on Christians increased very slightly, with an increase in reported violence being the main reason for the one-point increase in score. In the WWL 2023 reporting period, a higher number of church buildings were damaged, desecrated, converted into mosques or otherwise attacked. In Turkey, Islam is totally blended with fierce nationalism. There is a high level of distrust towards Christians, especially in inland Turkey, making public outreach hard, and resulting in high levels of societal opposition. During the WWL 2023 reporting period, it has become prevalent that especially Christian asylum seekers and refugees, including converts from Islam to Christianity from Iran, Afghanistan and Syria, face very high levels of discrimination and abuse.

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

December 2021: Graffiti stating the phrase “Allah 1” was sprayed on the door of the Kadıköy Protestant Church and two other churches in Istanbul.

•

December 2021: On Christmas Eve, the former Hagia Sophia church in Enez, close to the Greek border, was converted into a mosque. The opening ceremony was performed by the head of the Directorate for Religious Affairs, who also held a similar ceremony in 2020, when the Hagia Sophia church in Istanbul was converted into a mosque.

•

Entry bans: The Turkish government continued to ban some expatriate Christians from (re)entering the country, often on vague security grounds.

•

Christian refugees: Christian refugees, including converts from Islam to Christianity, faced high levels of abuse and discrimination, both by society and authorities. Converts from Islam to Christianity remain in precarious conditions, without legal status. Many of those Christians are Iranian, but Syrian, Afghani and Iraqi converts are also present, among other nationalities. WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians’ private property damaged or confiscated

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

2023

10*

2022

10*

Private life Public expressions of non-Muslim faiths can result in harassment. Displaying Christian symbols can provoke hostility and physical violence. Traditional Christians are socially and economically excluded from wider Turkish society. Converts from Islam to Christianity can lose their jobs, face harassment from family and friends, or receive threats after their new faith has come to be known. Family life Children of Christian converts are often harassed and bullied because their family is perceived as having betrayed both the faith and the nation. Children whose parents are either expatriates or who belong to one of the historical Christian communities are also seen as “enemies of Turkey” because they are viewed as being part of the “Christian West”. The Turkish educational curriculum is heavily influenced by Turkish nationalism and portrays Christianity as foreign and hostile to Turkish society.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

Applications for Christian cemeteries have been denied in several parts of the country. In those areas, Christians can only be buried according to Christian rites in sections reserved for all non-Muslims, or in the nearest historically Christian cemetery (sometimes more than 500 km away). Community life Christians have no access to state employment and experience discrimination in private employment. Islamic education is compulsory. While nonMuslim children can opt out, they are likely to face ostracization and discrimination from teachers and classmates. The media is heavily influenced by nationalist pressure from the state and regularly attacks non-Muslim minorities. Christians are consistently scapegoated and discriminated against by newspapers and television as a way of both suppressing Christian voices and intimidating more tolerant Turks into silence. National life For Christians, access to public sector employment and other social and economic opportunities is highly restricted. Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code states that, “A person who publicly denigrates the Turkish Nation, the Republic or the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, shall be punishable by imprisonment,” meaning that Christians must exercise extreme caution when expressing themselves in public. Church life It is impossible to register as a new religious community. Although there is an option for churches to register as an “association”, this is also a difficult process and some applications have been denied. Establishing a foundation with the aim of supporting a new religious community is also prohibited. Obtaining permits for building, repairing, or renovating church buildings is a long and difficult process, made more so by anti-Christian sentiments within the bureaucracy. Training of Christian leaders legally is impossible. The seminaries of the historical Christian communities were closed down in the 1970s and have remained closed ever since, so only unofficial training can take place.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

International obligations & rights violated Turkey has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Turkey is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families, threatened with divorce, and loss of child custody (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian children are harassed because of their parents’ faith (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Churches are attacked by members of the state task force (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christians face restrictions in employment in the public sector and experience discrimination in the private sector (ICCPR Arts. 25 and 26, and ICESCR Art. 6)

•

Christians face harassment and violence if they talk about their faith or engage in proselytization (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Both the Turkish government and society have become increasingly hostile towards religious minority groups such as Alevites and Jews, and ethnic minorities such as Yazidis and Kurds. In November 2018, the Appeals Court ruled that the government should pay the electricity expenses of cemevis (Alevi houses of worship), just as it does for mosques. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) gave a similar ruling in 2016, which was also ignored by the government.

©IMB

Open Doors in Turkey Open Doors is raising prayer for believers in difficult situations and prayer, in general, for Turkey.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TURKEY

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.5

PRIVATE LIFE

12.7

FAMILY LIFE

14.0

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.2

NATIONAL LIFE

12.4

CHURCH LIFE

14.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Sunni Islam is the established state religion in Comoros. Proselytization by any other religion is illegal, and converts to Christianity can be prosecuted. Converts from Islam face the most severe difficulties and are under pressure not to exercise their faith. In some parts of the country, radical groups threaten Christians with violence.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Comoros

Quick facts LEADER President Azali Assoumani POPULATION 907,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 4,6001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©David Stanley

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

4,600

0.5

Muslims

892,000

98.3

Ethno-religionists

8,600

0.9

After years of political instability following independence from France around 1975, the Comoros archipelago underwent a democratic transition in 2006. Islam is the established state religion through the Constitution, and the Shafi’i school of Sunni Islam set the norms for life in Comoros. The Constitution declares equality of rights for all individuals regardless of religion or belief, but proselytizing is prohibited by law and punishable with fine and imprisonment, except for Sunni Islam. The law provides for the deportation of foreigners who proselytize. Christian population in Comoros is concentrated in major cities. There are only a handful of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported existing, with freedom of speech and the ability to carry out investigations and publish findings on human rights cases. Christian NGOs, however, face discrimination through governmental restrictions in advertising and operations. The government has prohibited Christian NGOs from distributing religious literature, clothing, and symbols.

Comorians hold to the matriarchal family system, uncommon in other parts of Africa. Women are tasked with the role of initiating marriage and building a home for the family. Men still hold the mantle of religious leadership, but it is women who hold strong influence within the family. Women do suffer from inferior legal status, as well as the cultural practices of polygamy, unilateral divorce, and child marriages. The country additionally faces issues of high population density and poverty. Comoros benefits from having low crime and no imminent threat of Islamist militancy. However, some radical Islamists known as djaulas harass Christians, particularly converts from Islam.

How the situation varies by region All Christian communities in Comoros face persecution, but persecution against converts from Islam is the most severe.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Christians in this group (e.g., the church of the Malagasy people from Madagascar) are restricted from integrating converts from Islam and preaching in public outside their church buildings, or else they face deportation. The pressure comes from radical Islamists, non-Christian religious leaders, and political leaders. Improvement may come with positive changes recently sought by the government, both domestically and for the purpose of building relationships with Western nations. Historical Christian communities These do not exist separate from the expatriate category above. Converts to Christianity Christians with a Muslim background face persecution at home from family and community members: shunned and completely cut off from their families and friends. Converts also experience persecution from government officials, political actors, non-Christian religious leaders, djaulas, and other radical Islamist groups. Non-traditional Christian communities Christians in this category, including Baptists and Evangelicals, face legal fines and imprisonment for their evangelizing works.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Islamic oppression in Comoros is not new, but has worsened with the adoption of a constitutional change that has since declared Sunni-Islam as the state religion. Parallel to the new constitution, more Comorians are adopting a radical view of Islamism, especially on the islands of Anjouan and Moheli. In mosques and madrassas, some Muslim religious leaders regularly teach anti-Christian sentiments. Djaulas, an ultraconservative group of radical scholars, many of whom are trained in Pakistan, is pushing the country to a more extreme view of Sharia law. The djaulas in particular harass, bully, and ostracize Christians, particularly converts from Islam. As in many other Muslim-majority countries, it is unthinkable to leave Islam for the majority of Comorians. Those who do are discriminated and harassed by family and community members. Christians are denied worshiping space, religious discussions in public, and public preaching. Dictatorial paranoia: The government has consolidated power by promoting Sunni-Islam at the expense of all other religions, placing serious restrictions on the activities of Christians and Christian NGOs. The government has openly stated that freedom of religion is not applicable to converts and Christians.

©David Stanley

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Despite its matrilineal heritage, worship and social life in Comoros are dominated by Sunni principles, which place Christian women and girls at a societal disadvantage. Cases of domestic violence and the persecution of Christian women, particularly female converts from Islam, remain underreported due to poor legal and socio-economic protections. In addition to criminal prosecution, female converts may experience heightened abuse and discrimination. Comorian women and girls are also at high risk of trans-national trafficking, owing to the country’s weak border control. • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Forced divorce Forced marriage Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

MEN While there are many similarities between the experiences of men and women of Christian heritage, persecution targeting converts particularly differs according to gender. Male converts from Islam are vulnerable to societal pressures and are at increased risk of being forced out of their homes or to divorce due to prevalent matrilocal norms. The absence of legal provisions against the discrimination of converts, alongside a significant population of extremist sympathizers, exacerbates the use of discriminatory workplace policies and the threat of physical violence,

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

forcing many converts to flee the country. • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied food or water Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced divorce Forced out of home / expulsion Forced to flee town / country Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Comoros re-joined the WWL 2023 top 50 with a score of 66 points, three points higher than WWL 2022 when the country dropped out of the top 50. The increase of three points is due to an increase in the levels of pressure exerted by the government and the community. That pressure continued and increased during the WWL 2023 and WWL 2022 reporting period point. The government has said in public that there is no freedom of religion for Comorians, but only for non-Comorians residing in the country. Any Christian who is seen preaching will be fined and face a prison sentence that could last for one year. The score for violence also increased. (It should be recalled that Comoros was in the WWL top 10 countries in the early 1990s until 1998, and in the top 20 for several years after that).

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

Converts from Islam to Christianity are shunned by family members.

•

Women converts are often forced to marry a Muslim against their will.

•

Christians face being bullied and harassed on the street and at work.

•

Christians face fines or imprisonment for engaging in religious discussions in public or for preaching in public outside churches. WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians detained

Christians internally displaced

2023

10*

2022

Private life Although conversion is not officially outlawed, any Comorian nationals found to have converted from Islam are met with intense pressure from family and friends: ostracization, loss of livelihood, and divorce. Converts would not be able to wear Christian symbols like the cross without risk of violence. The government has openly encouraged violence against non-Sunni citizens. The law prohibits the public exercise of non-Sunni religious rituals on the basis of affronting society’s cohesion and endangering national unity. Public preaching of Christianity is a crime—and any mention or expression of the Christian faith can be interpreted as a public preaching. Proselytizing, an illegal activity in Comoros, is punishable by law of a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 Comorian francs ($110– $1,100) and of imprisonment of up to one year.

with converts from Islam being the most intensely marginalized, shunned, harassed, and threatened. They are seen as outcasts, unworthy of respect and protection. It is not uncommon for converts to be forced to recant their faith, so Christian converts hide their conversion.

Family life The government has expressly stated that freedom of religion is not for the Comorian people. Christian ceremonies like weddings may be construed as preaching, an illegal activity that may attract a mob attack, so Christians keep a very low profile. For purposes of the government, all Comorians are Sunni Muslims and every child (even of converts) is presumed to be Muslim and registered as such. There is no room for parents to refuse to have their children sent to Islamic schools; it is mandatory.

Church life Church activities remain under surveillance to ensure no Comorian national joined them or converted. Christian activities outside the walls of church buildings are seen as illegal proselytization. Communities of converts and non-traditional Christian communities do exist, but they cannot operate freely or officially. The existing expatriate churches are not allowed to open new branches, as this would be proof of their increasing numbers. No new church has been built or registered in the country for decades.

National life Comoros is sliding backwards in freedom of religion. True to its Constitution, the government publicly exhorts citizens to reject all forms of religion except Sunni Islam. Families and communities who shun converts, be they Christians or Shia Muslims, get their cues from the national government. Christians struggle to find places for worship, as the government allows them to pray at only two designated places in the entire country: the expatriate church in Moroni and Mutsamudu.

Community life Open practice of Christianity is prohibited and society keeps a watchful eye on any non-Muslim groups,

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

International obligations & rights violated Comoros has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) *Comoros has signed but not ratified the ICCPR and ICESCR.

Comoros is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Christian parents cannot raise their children according to their religious values (CRC Art. 14)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being forcibly married to Muslim men or forcibly divorced (CEDAW Art. 16)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Shia and Ahmadi Muslims are unable to worship publicly and have had their religious gatherings in private homes monitored by government authorities.

Open Doors in Comoros Open Doors has supported Christians on East African islands since the 1990s and our vision is to see a church mature in faith, accomplishing the Great Commission. We continue our support to the persecuted Church through: •

Discipleship

•

Economic empowerment

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 COMOROS

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

3.9

PRIVATE LIFE

12.8

FAMILY LIFE

14.3

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.4

NATIONAL LIFE

12.2

CHURCH LIFE

11.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Those who leave Islam, including those who become Christians, experience pressure and violence, as every ethnic Malay is expected to be Muslim. Leaving Islam not only violates the Constitution, but also familial and societal norms. Roman Catholics, Methodists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are watched by the authorities. However, non-traditional Protestant groups are more often targeted, as these tend to be more active in talking about their faith.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Malaysia

the ‘Bumiputra’ (people of the soil, or in other words, the Malay population).

Quick facts LEADER King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah POPULATION 33,181,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 3,054,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians Muslims Others Hindus

3,054,000 18,640,000 6,291,700 2,090,000

9.2 56.2 19.0 6.3

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Malaysia was ruled by a coalition made up of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and the hardline Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). Snap elections were held on 19 November 2022. At the time of writing, coalitions emerging from the elections are not yet clear, and the situation of a hung parliament is totally new to Malaysia. However, one thing seems certain: in one way or another, the policy of Malay supremacy is here to stay and PAS emerged as the largest single party in parliament. There is also a monarchy which rotates every five years among nine regional sultans, who hold veto power in questions concerning Islam. Radical Islamic voices are growing stronger. A PAS MP publicly called the Bible ‘a distorted book’ and refused to retract his statement or apologize. The PAS was one of the very few government bodies worldwide to congratulate the Taliban for liberating and ruling Afghanistan. Although the government’s motto is ‘One Malaysia’, the practice of discriminating against nonMalay ethnic minorities has continued unabated by giving priority in public offices and the armed forces to

The Malaysian Constitution defines ‘Malay’ as a follower of Islam. There are frequent warnings from Muslim-Malay organizations and politicians against a supposed agenda of Christianization. Malaysia’s legal system and its political institutions are strongly influenced by Islam. All children in state-run schools are required to attend Islamic education and at university there is a compulsory subject for all students called ‘Islamic and Asian Civilization’ which is felt by many to be a government instrument for furthering Islamization.

How the situation varies by region The situation is the same throughout the country. The wide economic and social gap, including the ruralurban divide between East and West Malaysia, has to be considered in order to understand the situation of Christians across the regions. There are more remote areas with vast stretches of land and little infrastructure in the East, compared to West Malaysia. As many Christians live in East Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sarawak, their access to internet can be more limited or it may simply not be available. However, Islamic missionary work among Christians, especially among the Bumiputra, focuses on East Malaysia. Helped by the number of migrating Muslims, Sabah State ceased to be Christian majority several years ago, and Sarawak is now only a Christian majority state on paper.

©Unsplash

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities These communities consist of Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Christians. They suffer some discrimination, but less than converts or non-traditional communities. Converts to Christianity By law, apostasy is punishable by death, although this has not been implemented. In some regions, Christian converts from a Muslim background can meet together. However, they all face varying degrees of opposition from family, community and the authorities. Non-traditional Christian communities This category includes Baptists and Pentecostals. They often face monitoring, discrimination, intimidation and harassment.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression blended with Ethno-religious hostility: Malaysia was known as a liberal and tolerant Islamic country, but this reputation has been changing in recent years. The government has attempted to introduce Sharia law in the State of Kelantan. In custody matters, civil courts frequently decide in favor of the child’s non-Muslim mother, which is why fathers sometimes decide to convert to Islam. This means the claim goes before a Sharia court and custody is granted to the Muslim father. The police prefer to implement the Sharia court’s decisions as this causes less trouble for them. The Constitution prohibits Malays from converting to other religions and limits the propagation of nonMuslim religions. Converts can experience violence and pressure to recant from families, who see it as a dishonor. Politics and society are strongly driven by an ethnic impulse of the preservation and superiority of the Malay ethnic group. While this is clearly blended with and dominated by religious motives, as every Malay has to be a Muslim, it plays out in the missionary dakwah movement, which has been aggressively pursuing poverty-stricken native communities in East Malaysia with lucrative incentives and benefits. Dictatorial paranoia: Both parties in the ruling coalition, UMNO and PAS, advocate for Malay Muslim dominance and preferential treatment. (The UMNO has a history of playing religious and racial cards in order to stay in power.) Whoever will govern Malaysia in the future, it is likely that Dictatorial paranoia will remain a considerable force in politics. Malaysia with lucrative incentives and benefits.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

How are men and women differently affected?

• • • • •

WOMEN Women’s legal rights are undermined by provisions that make exceptions for Sharia law. Females converting from Islam to Christianity face the risk of sexual violence and/or forced marriage to a Muslim, including girls under the age of 18. Forced marriages of Christian women sometimes occur to secure financial support for the family. The COVID-19 crisis reportedly caused an increase in domestic violence, which is likely to have impacted Christians in such marriages. •

Forced marriage Targeted seduction Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – sexual

MEN Men and boys are often the target of conservative Muslim groups strongly opposed to proselytism. The persecution typically impacting Christian men comes in the form of bullying at the hands of vigilante justice, or monitoring by religious authorities. • • •

Forced divorce

Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

43 50 46 40 42

66 63 63 62 60

Malaysia`s score increased 2.3 points in WWL 2023 with both the scores for average pressure and violence rising. The strongest increase in pressure was in the National and Church sphere. This was due to reported cases of Christian NGOs/CSOs being discriminated compared with others and churches hindered in establishing schools. Christians continued to be marginalized and disadvantaged by a Malay-first policy, this does not seem likely to change in the foreseeable future. The violence score is still on a comparably low level, but increased 0.6 points compared to WWL 2022.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Example of violence in the reporting period •

On 15 April 2022: the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) declared in a 90-page report that there was no evidence to suggest any state involvement in the disappearance of Christians Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Sitepu in November 2016. While this is very different from the report SUHAKAM published three years ago about the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh, it should not be read as clearing the authorities from all blame. At a press conference on 15 April 2022, the SUHAKAM commissioner stated: “The highly unsatisfactory conduct and shortcomings of the Royal Malaysia Police in investigating the disappearances of Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Sitepu contributed to the acquiescence of the state in the abduction of the couple.” WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians internally displaced

Christians forced Christians physically or to marry mentally abused

2023

100*

2022

100*

1000*

Private life Malay Muslims are not legally allowed to convert from Islam in any state except Sarawak, where the process is long and tedious. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wants the penalty for apostasy to be death, but so far, those efforts have been stalled. Converts to Christianity from Islam can be punished or sent to an Islamic ‘purification center’ where they are pressured into returning to Islam. There is a guideline from the Fatwa Department which says that Christmas trees and decorations should not be used if a Muslim plans to attend a Christmas event. It also forbids Muslims from attending Christmas functions that have ‘speech or gestures in the form of a praise to the non-Muslim religion’.

people) have a higher quota while non-Bumiputra students have fewer available places. Article 153 of the constitution allows a quota system for entering the civil service. Hence, preference is given to Malays in the public sector, and ethnic and religious minorities are not accepted. Consequently, ethnic and religious minorities rarely apply for these positions.

Family life Children born to couples where one parent is a Muslim are automatically registered as Muslims and need the consent of both parents for official conversion. Education is biased towards a Malay and Islam centric worldview, discriminating against minorities. All Muslim children must attend Islamic education in schools, and children of converts can be harassed, discriminated against and put under pressure to convert to Islam. It is very common for Christian children to be bullied by their peers at school and beyond, with belittling and demeaning slurs which are often intertwined with racial slurs. Community life Public universities are still adopting the quota system, where Bumiputra students (Malays and indigenous

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

National life The Constitution prohibits adherents of other religions from propagating their religion among Malay Muslims. It is virtually impossible for ethnic Malays to legally convert to Christianity, since the Constitution stands against it and they can be charged with apostasy. Non-Malay-owned companies are required to have at least one Malay as board member. An e-book with the title ‘Exposing the Christian Agenda’ was published in Malaysia. In a decision about whether Sharia law or civil law should have precedence in case of conflict, a nine-member bench of the Federal Court of Malaysia decided that, according to the Constitution, Sharia courts do not have the right to exercise judicial reviews (Malay Mail, 21 February 2022). Church life It is very risky for churches to integrate Malay converts, especially in West Malaysia, and so they meet in secret. Church leaders have been natural targets for hostility from religion-based or ethnic groups, especially when their churches are perceived to engage in acts of evangelism among Muslims. The abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh in broad daylight in February 2017 sent shockwaves through the Christian

community. His whereabouts is still unknown, and the perpetrators have not been found. Findings point to the involvement of the special branch of the police. In March 2021, the High Court finally ruled that the ban of the use of the word of ‘Allah’ was unconstitutional. The then-government declared to appeal this ruling, so there is still uncertainty about the use of the word ‘Allah’ for ‘God’. In 2021, a deputy minister announced that the federal government had drafted four new laws to strengthen Sharia law in Malaysia. Among them is a law to control the development of non-Muslim religions. Although the Law Minister said that no such proposal had been submitted in the final draft, churches and members of other religious minorities were alarmed and claimed that such a law would contradict the constitutional provisions of Malaysia. Even though the draft was not accepted this time, it is a sign that religious minorities in Malaysia face ever more organized opposition and limitations.

International obligations & rights violated Malaysia has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

2. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Malaysia is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian female converts run the risk of being forcibly married to Muslim men (CEDAW Art. 16)

•

Christian parents cannot raise their children according to their religious values (CRC Art. 14)

©IMB

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Shias, Ahmadiyyas and al-Arqams continue to be seen as a threat since they deviate from Sunni Islam. Hindus, adherents to traditional Chinese religions and Buddhists are, like Christians, affected by the government’s preferential treatment of ethnic Malays.

Open Doors’ local partners have been working closely with two native community churches in Malaysia, offering training courses.

Open Doors in Malaysia Open Doors’ work to strengthen the church in Malaysia includes the following: •

Discipling and equipping Christians on how to respond biblically to persecution and be obedient to God, especially the Great Commission

•

Providing local language Bibles and other Christian literature

•

Facilitating gatherings to foster unity and overcome racial divisions

•

Providing socio-economic assistance to needy believers.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 MALAYSIA

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2022 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.1

PRIVATE LIFE

13.8

FAMILY LIFE

12.2

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.3

NATIONAL LIFE

12.8

CHURCH LIFE

13.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings The government puts pressure on all “deviating” groups by tightening existing laws and enforcing them strictly. Indigenous Christians with a Muslim background bear the brunt of rights violations, both at the hands of the State and from family and the community. Russian Orthodox churches experience the fewest problems from the government, as they do not usually attempt to make contact with the Tajik population. The youth law has left Christians (and other religious minorities) in legal limbo, as it is not clear what is still allowed.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Tajikistan

Quick facts LEADER President Emomali Rahmon POPULATION 9,957,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 64,1001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

64,100

0.6

Muslims

9,748,000

97.9

Atheists

19,700

0.2

Agnostics

107,000

1.1

Source2

Tajikistan has the highest percentage of Muslims in Central Asia, but it would be wrong to call Tajikistan a Muslim country. Seventy years of atheism during the Soviet era have left their mark, and the secular government keeps Islam firmly under control. Most citizens follow Islamic culture rather than strict teachings. Most Christians are Russian Orthodox (ethnic Russians), around 3,000 are Tajik who have converted to Christianity. No religious activities beyond state-run and controlled institutions are allowed and Protestants in particular (who are seen as extremists, unlike Orthodox Christians) experience significant violations. Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan, which brings concerns of infiltration by radical Islamic groups, as well as trafficking of opium.

A new law regulating religious affairs was implemented in August 2011. It prohibits all religious youth work with citizens under 18 years of age. This had a huge impact on church activities, since it is estimated that about 50% of all Christians are in this age category. In January 2018, amendments to the law on religion came into force, which included allowing the state to increase religious organizations’ requirements to report all their activities and seek state approval for the appointment of all imams. On 6 October 2021 Tajikistan introduced new punitive measures against the “underground” religious education of children. Amendments were made to the penal code, according to which deprivation of liberty for up to three years is foreseen in the case of illegal religious education, including lessons given via the internet. Under the guise of preventing religious extremism, authorities crack down on believers, including restrictions on wedding and funerary banquets, and extra-legal bans on beards and hijabs.

How the situation varies by region Rights violations targeting all Christian communities and carried out by government officials can occur all over the country. Pressure from family, friends, and the community on converts is stronger outside urban areas.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians These are not involuntarily isolated groups, and so have not been counted as a separate category in WWL analysis. Historical Christian communities Historical Christians include the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). They are not involved in evangelism among Tajiks so they can function without much interference since the Tajik regime does not consider them a threat. What is more, the Tajik government does not wish to provoke Russia by attacking the ROC. Converts to Christianity Christian converts with a Muslim background are under strong pressure from family and community as conversion is seen as an ethnic, national, and religious betrayal, which brings shame upon the family. Non-traditional Christian communities After converts, this category experiences the second most violations (raids, threats, arrests, and fines) due to active evangelism. Baptist, Evangelical and Pentecostal groups suffer from many raids, threats, arrests, and fines by the authorities.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia: Only state-controlled institutions are allowed. Pressure from the authorities has increased since 2015, causing a rise in the number of raids on meetings, Christian materials confiscated and an increase in Christians being fined and interrogated. Protestants are regarded as dangerous followers of an alien sect with the aim of destroying the current political system. Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: If indigenous citizens (who are Muslim) convert to Christianity, they experience pressure and occasionally physical violence from their families and communities to force them to return to their former faith, especially in rural areas. Some converts are put in domestic incarceration or expelled from their homes. Many choose to keep their faith a secret.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Men and women are equal under law, but traditional culture puts women in a subservient position to men and domestic violence is widespread. Female converts from Islam are particularly vulnerable to intolerance, discrimination and violence, as women do not have the independence or freedom to choose their own religion. Women risk house arrest, beatings, rejection, harassment, and forced marriage. If already married, domestic violence and forced divorce is likely. The state also prohibits use of religious clothes or symbols, including those worn by female Christians. • • • • • • •

Abduction Economic harassment via work / job/ business Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – verbal

MEN Like much of Central Asia, men in Tajikistan normally hold leadership roles within families and churches, and are therefore targeted in this capacity. They are pressured by the police via interrogation, fines, and the disruption of meetings. State violations also include searches, detention, interrogation, confiscation, fines, and imprisonment. When detained, men suffer verbal and physical abuse, threats, beatings, and pressure to inform. Known converts can lose jobs and suffer beatings, discrimination, and ostracization at the hands of their communities and families. Mandatory military service also exposes Christians to persecution. • •

Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites Denied inheritance or possessions

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

• • • • • • • •

Economic harassment via work/job/business Economic harassment via fines Imprisonment by the government Military/militia conscription/service against conscience Travel bans/restrictions on movement Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The score for Tajikistan in WWL 2023 is one point higher than in WWL 2022. Pressure is highest in the Private and Church spheres of life. The two main persecution engines in Tajikistan (Dictatorial paranoia and Islamic oppression, the latter blended with Clan oppression) are active in all spheres of life. Islamic oppression (blended with Clan oppression) dominates in the Private and Family spheres of life, while Dictatorial paranoia dominates in the National and Church spheres. Both engines meet each other in the Community sphere of life. Muslim families, friends, and villagers exert pressure on converts in particular, while the government imposes many restrictions on church activities.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

January 2022: a church was shut down by the authorities.

•

At least 37 converts to Christianity were abused and beaten by their families and local community. WWL Year

Christians physically or mentally abused

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

2023

2022

37*

Private life Conversion is officially allowed, but it is viewed as a betrayal of family and culture. It can lead to violence and pressure, as community members try to make converts recant. Many converts choose to keep their faith secret. Family life Where a parent converts to Christianity, family members will try to take custody of the children in order to raise them according to Islamic principles. The law does not permit under 18s to take part in activities linked to a church or mosque. Christian children experience slander from community members, and Muslim children are often kept from having contact with them. All children are required to study “History of Religions” at high school, which is taught from a Sunni Muslim perspective.

under 18 from participating in the activities of religious organizations. Church life The August 2011 laws prohibit any church youth work. The government must approve the production, importation, sale, and distribution of religious materials by registered religious groups, which in effect is a ban on all religious materials used by unregistered religious groups. There are restrictions on foreign Christians visiting Tajikistan. They need a special visa, which is very difficult to obtain.

Community life Non-Orthodox Christians are monitored by members of their community and local state officials by methods including phone-tapping. They can be harassed, interrogated, and threatened. This is particularly true for known converts. National life The Constitution protects religious freedom. However, the Religion Law of 2009/2011 (with its amendments of January 2018) requires compulsory registration of all religious organizations. Any church activities by non-registered groups are illegal. There is a ban on unlicensed religious education and censorship of any religious materials. The law on parents’ responsibilities prohibits young people

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

International obligations & rights violated Tajikistan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Tajikistan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition and violence by their families and communities (ICCPR Art.18)

•

Christian children are not allowed to participate in church activities (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Ownership of religious literature is severely restricted beyond international permitted limitations (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christian female converts are forced to marry non-Christian men and pressured to renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art.10)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Tajikistan has a record of violating freedom of religion or belief and related human rights such as freedom of expression and association. There is no focus on any specific religious group – all (Muslims, Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Baha’is etc.) suffer under a high level of state surveillance and oppression. According to USCIRF 2022: “In Tajikistan, alleged extremism and terrorism are punishable without requiring acts that involve violence or incitement of imminent violence. Charges are often arbitrarily issued against religious individuals and their trials lack due process and procedural safeguards.”

Open Doors in Tajikistan Open Doors provides immediate aid to Central Asian believers when they are imprisoned or excluded from families and communities, and deprived of livelihood and employment because of their faith in Christ. Open Doors also strengthens the persecuted church in Central Asia, primarily through: •

Literature distribution

•

Prayer support

•

Biblical training

•

Children / youth training

•

Women’s ministry

•

Advocacy and awareness training (SSTS)

•

Presence ministry

•

Vocational training

•

Social-economic development projects

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 TA JIKISTAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

15.9

PRIVATE LIFE

8.8

FAMILY LIFE

7.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

12.6

NATIONAL LIFE

7.2

CHURCH LIFE

13.1

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Despite the population being over 60% Christian, converts to Christianity from Islam face severe hindrances in Muslim-majority areas, which are becoming increasingly radicalized. In such areas, converts cannot speak about their new faith, even to family members. Female converts to Christianity are often forced to marry non-Christians. Christian women risk abduction by Boko Haram. The Anglophone crisis has also added another dimension to Christians’ situation in the country. It has limited the church’s functions due to the ongoing crisis of several years and, since the government is engaging with the Anglophone separatists, it has resulted in less security for the northern part of the country where Boko Haram is active. Additionally, the government applies immense pressure on Christians who speak against injustice or lack of freedom of religion in the country.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Cameroon

Quick facts LEADER President Paul Biya POPULATION 27,912,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 17,032,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic ©Unsplash

their homes. Fighting continues between government security forces and separatist militants, and Boko Haram operates in the far north.

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

17,032,000

61.0

Muslims

5,608,000

20.1

Ethno-religionists

4,964,000

17.8

Agnostics

166,000

0.6

Source

Cameroon has been ruled by President Paul Biya since 1982. Journalists and opposition risk harassment and imprisonment, and corruption is endemic. The country contains both Francophone and Anglophone regions. The Anglophone regions (north-west and south-west) have been engulfed in civil war since 2016 when Anglophone lawyers and teachers protested against under-representation in the central government. The government responded with violence including torture, arbitrary detention and killings, which led to the formation of non-state armed groups, fuelled separatist sentiment and displaced half a million from

Christians are attacked from both sides if they do not support their cause. Also, since the government is focused on combatting separatists, Boko Haram takes advantage of security loopholes to target Christians. Christian women and girls risk being abducted, forcibly married to fighters and forced to convert to Islam. Christian men and boys, particularly church leaders, are also vulnerable to abduction. They may be forced into the ranks of militias, used for forced labor, or tortured, and killed.

How the situation varies by region Christians suffer violations especially in violent areas – 1) Far North, where Boko Haram continues to mount attacks; 2) North West and 3) South West, both areas where the Anglophone insurgency is growing. The Islamic community is concentrated in the north; Christian communities in the southern and western regions. It is also important to note that the government puts pressure on some Christian denominations who do not openly support its policies. This is particularly the case in major cities.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Roman Catholics (who make up over 44% of the Christians population) and some Protestant denominations have their autonomy undermined by the government and have occasionally been affected by Boko Haram violence. Converts to Christianity Those who convert to Christianity from Islam experience the most pressure and violence from family and community in Muslim-majority regions. While families pressurize Christians into re-converting to Islam, they are also threatened by Boko Haram, who would like to kill them. Many converts therefore relocate to safer parts of the country. Those who convert from ethnic religious beliefs to Christianity also face pressure from their community, though less intense. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptists and Pentecostals face opposition in northern Cameroon when they evangelize or attempt to integrate Christian converts from a Muslim background into their churches. Some churches have faced threats of closure for criticizing the government. Others have tried to align themselves with the government, by campaigning and mobilizing funds for the ruling party during elections.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: In the northern Adamawa region and some eastern regions, Islamic oppression primarily affects Christian converts. Christian converts experience violations from family and community, and they are pressurized to return to Islam. Militant groups such as Boko Haram pose a constant threat to life and security and have caused the displacement of many Christians, undermining the history of peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims in modern day Cameroon. Dictatorial paranoia: President Paul Biya’s regime has been responsible for political arrests and killings of Christians, many of whom oppose his rule. This occurs especially in the Anglophone region, due to the independence movement active in the area. Organized corruption and crime: Cameroon is one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Corrupt officials in the north can be bribed against protecting Christians under attack by radical Islamic groups. Clan oppression: A significant number of the population adheres to traditional belief systems. In areas where Christians oppose such practices, they will face rights violations. Christian denominational protectionism: Historical denominations do not welcome the activities of new church groups. For example, in 2018, Cameroon’s Protestant, Baptist and Catholic churches called on the government to shut down a number of Pentecostal churches.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Despite being a secular country, the far north region suffers from Boko Haram violence. Women and girls are abducted, forced into marriage, raped and subjected to forced labor. They are put under extreme pressure to renounce their faith, with several girls forced to act as suicide bombers. Female converts from African Traditional Religions or Muslim backgrounds are pressured by families and communities. Often dependent on husbands or fathers, they are put under house arrest or forcibly married to a non-Christian. Married converts face divorce, loss of child custody, and disinheritance. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied inheritance or possessions Discrimination / harassment via education Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Trafficking Violence – death Violence – sexual

MEN Boko Haram poses a major threat to Christian men and boys, particularly church leaders, in the northern regions. Men have been abducted, used for forced labor, tortured, and forcibly recruited by militias. Conflict in the Anglophone region has also fueled instability and caused many, including Christians, to flee. Christians also face discrimination via job opportunities, boycotted businesses, and harassment from government officials when they oppose corruption. This affects Christian families economically, financially and psychologically. Male converts to

Christianity are pressured by their families and communities, often rejected and denied inheritance. • • • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied access to social community / networks Denied inheritance or possessions Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced to flee town / country Incarceration by government Military / militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

The increase in the score by 1 point in WWL 2022 is mainly because of the increase in pressure in the Church sphere. Due to the conflict in the Anglophone region and the existence of Boko Haram in the northern part of the country and the overall Dictatorial paranoia, church life is very limited for Christians. Christians face intimidation and attacks if they speak against the atrocities going on in the country (perpetrated both by government and separatist forces). At times, church premises have been used as military bases. The existence of rampant corruption in the country has also made security and the rule of law virtually non-existent in many areas.

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

June 2022: Boko Haram fighters killed six civilians when they attacked Tourou village in the Mayo Tsanaga division (Journal du Cameroun, 3 June 2022).

•

June 2022: ISWAP or Boko Haram fighters attacked Gharama and Ngormi villages (Kousseri, Logone-etChari, Extreme-Nord) and killed six civilians.

•

June 2022: It is suspected that Boko Haram killed a civilian in Bargaram (Hile-Alifa, Logone-et-Chari, Extreme-Nord). They also burnt a church and looted several valuable objects.

•

July 2022: Boko Haram (JAS) attacked Koza (Koza, Mayo-Tsanaga, Extreme-Nord), killing four people. Properties, including a church and shops, were looted and destroyed. WWL Year

Christians abducted

Christians raped and/or Christians forced to flee sexually assaulted their countries

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

100*

2022

100*

Private life Christian converts from a Muslim background often hide their new faith. Gathering is very risky, as is owning a Bible or Christian literature.

criticism. This can lead to internet shutdowns and arrests. In the north especially, security and armed forces have not been punished when they have arbitrarily arrested, tortured, or killed civilians.

Family life In the case of marital separation, Christian converts from a Muslim background have been excluded from the right to claim custody of children if their former spouse is Muslim. This particularly affects women in the country’s north. Inheritance rights can also be lost after conversion. In several instances, married female converts had to choose between their husband and their faith, leading to forced divorce.

Church life Clashes between the government armed forces and separatists have disrupted Christian activities in the Anglophone provinces. It is difficult for new churches to register with the government. Many operate without registration and are rarely punished. However, lack of registration can be used to threaten a church with closure whenever the government feels the church in question has not supported it politically.

Community life Christian converts from Islam are harassed and threatened by their communities in remote areas of the north. They are discriminated against in education and employment and are closely watched by government intelligence agents, which leads to self-censorship. National life Freedom of expression is restricted since the government is sensitive to perceived or actual

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

International obligations & rights violated Cameroon has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 4. Convention against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Cameroon is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians are killed for their faith (ICCPR Art. 6)

•

Christian converts face coercion, violence, and harassment, including the loss of a job or opportunities for further education unless they renounce their faith (ICCPR Art. 18, ICESCR Art. 2)

•

Peaceful Christian religious gatherings are restricted by Boko Haram, security restrictions, and denial of registrations or meeting permits (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 21)

•

Christians face discrimination in the public and private work force (ICCPR Art. 18, ICESCR Art. 2)

•

For a fear of reprisals due to a lack of security, Christians are denied their right to freedom of expression (ICCPR Art. 19)

•

Christian women are forcibly married and forced to recant their beliefs (ICCPR Art. 23 and CEDAW Art. 16)

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Any religious groups that do not openly support the government face violations. In areas where Christians are the majority, Muslims are ostracized because the community sees them as likely Boko Haram sympathizers.

Nearly 400 vulnerable families received food and other relief aid from Open Doors after their livelihoods were affected by economic restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Open Doors in Cameroon Open Doors has served the church in Cameroon for many years with persecution awareness seminars. Since 2008, with the help of local churches and partners, our focus has been on finding and equipping the persecuted church. Our vision is for a holistically strong church that knows how to biblically respond to persecution and care for new believers and the traumatized in the community. We aim to achieve this through: •

Persecution crisis relief and trauma care

•

Economic empowerment and care (spiritual and physical) for new believers

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 CAMEROON

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 - 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

0.4

PRIVATE LIFE

14.8

FAMILY LIFE

14.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.1

NATIONAL LIFE

10.9

CHURCH LIFE

14.4

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts from Islam face pressure from their families (communities) and conversion is punishable by Sharia Penal Law if a case is brought against them. Everything will be done to bring them back to their original faith. Non-traditional Christian communities cannot be registered as churches, but to operate legally they are registered as companies, societies, or family centers. As such, they are treated as secular organizations and are required to submit their financial and operational reports to the government every year. The whole of society (Christians included) is affected by the continuing introduction of Sharia laws.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Brunei

Quick facts LEADER Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah POPULATION 445,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 53,5001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Absolute Monarchy

Context Main Religions Christians Muslims Ethno-religionists Buddhists

Number of adherents 53,500 258,000 44,900 44,600

Percentage 12.0 58.0 10.1 10.0

Source2

In Brunei, the Sultan rules as absolute monarch. People deeply respect the Sultan and there is little demand for more political participation. Until now, the government has provided free medical services and subsidized goods such as rice and housing. State schooling is free, and citizens of Brunei do not have to pay income tax. The national philosophy is Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), a blend of Malay and Islamic cultural values guarded by the monarchy. May 2014 saw the introduction of the Sharia Penal Code (which also applies to nonMuslims); however, implementation did not happen until 2019. International media was quick to highlight the serious consequences for the LGBTI community in the country, and there were calls to boycott all luxury hotels belonging to a company owned by the Sultan. So far, no cases against religious minorities (or the LGBTI community) have been reported. In a major cabinet reshuffle in June 2022, the Sultan replaced eight ministers. While his own ministerial duties remained unchanged, the change is noteworthy because for the first time since 1958 a woman has been made a full member of the cabinet, in this case as the Minister of Education. There have been deputy and vice-minister positions held by women before, but none as minister. Ethnically, Malay Bruneians comprise 66% of the population and are presumed to be Muslim. The Chinese population, approximately 10% of the total, is 65% Buddhist and 20% Christian. Christians are free to worship, but they have been warned against doing outreach or becoming too public.

How the situation varies by region The country is small and there are no particular areas where Christians face more violations.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BRUNEI

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities This includes the Roman Catholic and Anglican Church. They are strictly monitored and must exercise caution, though they experience less pressure than newer Protestant groups and converts. Converts to Christianity Converts from a Muslim background face strong pressure from family and friends, as conversion is considered illegal. Should someone’s conversion become known, authorities will step in to bring them back to their original faith. Non-traditional Christian communities Non-traditional Christian communities consist of the Evangelicals and Pentecostals. They are closely watched by the authorities and surrounding community.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression, blended with Dictatorial paranoia: Sharia law in its civil and administrative dimension, was fully implemented even before Brunei’s independence in 1984. The government has offered incentives to prospective converts to Islam (especially from indigenous communities) including help with housing and welfare. Family members and neighbors can easily create trouble for converts to Christianity by reporting them to the security department (the KDN), which is frequently happening. A government body, the Malay Islamic Monarchy Supreme Council, seeks to spread MIB philosophy and ensure it is enshrined in the nation’s laws and policies. The government offers incentives to prospective converts to Islam, especially those from indigenous communities.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BRUNEI

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN While Brunei is a signatory country to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), women and religious minorities are under threat from the new Sharia Penal Code. Due to stricter implementation of Islamic laws, Christian women in general should dress modestly, but are not forced to wear a hijab. Women and girls are usually disowned by the family when their conversion becomes known. They may be forced to attend spiritual rehabilitation programs. Sometimes, women are threatened with forced marriage to a Muslim, or if married, may have their children taken away to ensure a Muslim upbringing. • • • • • •

Denied custody of children Enforced religious dress code Forced marriage Forced out of home / expulsion Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

MEN Converts to Christianity face the strongest levels of pressure for their faith. Men and boys are usually disowned by their family when they convert and are forced to leave the family home. They also face beatings, humiliation, and harsher treatment when persecuted by religious authorities. Students may

also experience discrimination and verbal abuse in educational settings. • • •

Forced out of home / expulsion Violence – physical Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

This year the score increased by 0.9 points, reflecting a stable but difficult situation for Christians in the country. The pressure on Church life increased the strongest, as limitations of working among youths are strongly felt, especially when it can be understood as proselytization. The average pressure is very high, and the scores remained the same across all spheres of life, while the score for violence remains unchanged as well at a very low level.

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

By decree, importing Bibles and any public celebration of Christmas continue to be banned.

•

Christian pastors and workers face a multitude of restrictions.

•

Both native and foreign Christians have been targets of aggressive Islamization. WWL Year

Christians forced to marry

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

2022

10*

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BRUNEI

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Private life Bruneian laws do not allow Malay Muslims to leave Islam, and stipulate that turning away from Islam is punishable by death or a long prison sentence with corporal punishment. A convert to Christianity may not discuss their faith since it can be construed as proselytizing, which is against Sharia law and can be punished with a prison sentence or fine. Christians, especially church leaders, are under permanent surveillance by the authorities. Family life Schools are not allowed to teach about Christianity and all students must study Islam (or rather the national MIB philosophy). Female students must wear a headscarf. Pressure is especially high for children of converts once it is discovered that their parents are “apostates”. The law bans any Muslim from surrendering custody of a minor to a non-Muslim. Therefore, non-Muslims cannot adopt Muslim children or children whose parents are unknown. Community life Islam has permeated every aspect of society, and Christians are under pressure from society and the government to take part in Islamic rites and ceremonies. There are strict regulations and penalties during Ramadan concerning the observance of Muslim prayer times, both for Muslims and non-Muslims. Churches are experiencing a gradual reduction in

membership as people leave for Islam, primarily to avoid social pressure but also for monetary benefits like receiving 1,000 BN$ per year for 10 years. Islamic missionary (dawah) efforts are widely publicized and celebrated in national newspapers, where converts are announced with their new names. National life With a sedition law in place and MIB and Sharia Penal Code always in the back of their minds, Christians are very careful to self-censor to avoid trouble, especially as it is unclear which statements could be considered seditious. Benefits and promotions are limited to Malays and converts to Islam, if they are citizens, which adds pressure on Christians to convert. Church life Six churches have legal permits, having obtained them during the colonial era. The government does not allow any other churches to be registered. All church activities, especially the content of preaching, are monitored, with registered churches being particularly affected by government informers. These informers are sometimes Christians themselves, who are offered bribes. Pastors are very careful not to say anything that could be interpreted as criticizing or offending the government or the royal family. Published materials are also subject to scrutiny. There is a permanent ban on importing printed religious material.

International obligations & rights violated Brunei has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

2. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Brunei is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Brunei citizens are barred from leaving Islam by law and therefore deprived of their right to have or adopt a religion or belief of their choice (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Christian parents cannot raise their children according to their religious values (CRC Art. 14);

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being forcibly married to Muslim men or losing custody of their children (CEDAW Art. 16)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BRUNEI

Situation of other religious minorities Non-Sunni Muslim groups seen as deviant, such as Shiites and Ahmadis, are banned and persecuted. Atheism is also not allowed. The activities of Hindus have been restricted. The only Hindu temple in the country is located in the British military barracks of the Gurkha regiment. Sikh and Buddhist communities also visit the temple to pray. Chinese residents have been banned from celebrating their new year with the dragon dance. The indigenous Iban community, many of whom are animist, are particularly targeted for Islamic missionary activity (dawah). The US State Department (IRFR 2021) report states, “There were reports that some individuals who wished to convert to another religion continued to fear social retribution, such as ostracism by friends, family, and their community. If parents converted to Islam, there was often family and official pressure for the children to do the same if they were not young enough to have been automatically converted with their parents. Some non-Muslims said they continued to feel pressured in the workplace or in social groups to convert to Islam.”

Open Doors in Brunei The Church in Brunei is living under Sharia law, which came to effect on 3 April 2019 and applies to all residents, Muslims and non-Muslims, including expats. Therefore, Open Doors calls for increasing prayer support from worldwide Christians for the believers, the local churches, the Sultan and his government officials.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 BRUNEI

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

0.6

PRIVATE LIFE

14.0

FAMILY LIFE

14.1

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.3

NATIONAL LIFE

13.3

CHURCH LIFE

12.9

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Converts from Islam to Christianity are put under pressure from family and society to recant their faith. They can be expelled from their jobs and homes and face problems with child custody and inheritance. Expatriate Muslims converting to Christianity experience similar pressures as in their home countries, as they are often living within their own national or ethnic communities. Expatriate Christian communities are tolerated, but their facilities are restricted and meetings are monitored to record any political statements and the attendance of any Omani nationals. All religious organizations must be registered with the authorities.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Oman

Quick facts LEADER Sultan and Prime Minister Haytham bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said POPULATION 5,324,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 193,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Absolute Monarchy ©Unsplash

Context

materials. Non-Muslim worship is only permitted on premises officially designated for that purpose.

Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

193,000

3.6

Muslims

4,766,000

89.5

Hindus

277,000

5.2

Buddhists

34,500

0.6

Source2

The country is ruled by a monarch (Sultan Haitham bin Tariq since January 2020) and classed as authoritarian. The former monarch was credited with abolishing slavery, forging relations with the USA, bringing stability to the economy, and election reforms. According to Middle East Concern, Islam is the state religion and forms the basis of legislation. There are severe sanctions for blasphemy against Abrahmic religions. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs closely regulates and monitors all religious activities, including Islamic. Religious leaders must be registered and only approved messages can be given in mosques. Prior permission is required for publication or distribution of religious

Most Omanis practice a brand of Islam unique to Oman called Ibadism, which has been characterized as “moderate conservatism”, a mixture of austerity and tolerance. According to experts, Ibadis do not believe in violence against those who leave Islam and tend to tolerate Christians, leading to Oman being internationally presented as a model of tolerance and diplomacy. However, pressure on Omani converts from Islam to Christianity (and on expatriate Christians involved in proselytizing) remains very high. Most Christians are expatriates, concentrated in urban areas and come from the Philippines, India, and Western countries.

How the situation varies by region Omani society is still very tribal. Social and family control, and thus pressure, is generally higher in rural areas, while urban areas offer the possibility for converts to live a more anonymous life.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians There are a number of expatriate communities (including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant), located mainly in urban areas such as Muscat and Sohar in the north and Salalah in the south. Their facilities are restricted in order not to offend nationals. Historical Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity from Islam risk isolation and pressure to renounce their faith from family and society. They can also lose child custody, as the law prohibits a father who leaves Islam from retaining paternal rights over his children. Non-traditional Christian communities This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Converts to Christianity from an Omani Muslim background face the highest levels of pressure from family, who see conversion as a betrayal of family honor and will likely expel converts from their home. For converts from Islam originating from elsewhere (e.g., Pakistan or the Levant), much depends on the response within their surrounding community in Oman. As long as they do not create unrest, they have less to fear from the Omani government, although their Omani employers can fire them, which would result in deportation if they could not find another job. Conversion is not recognized by the government and Omani converts have been interrogated by officials, commanded to stop meeting, and have faced legal problems and threats of losing their jobs and homes. Proselytizing is illegal and punishable under the law. No Christians have been officially prosecuted for proselytizing, but some have been expelled from the country without due process in recent years. Clan oppression: Tribal values are blended with Islamic values: to be Omani is to be Muslim, and to leave the faith is a dishonor and shame to family and society. Converts face the risk of being ostracized or subject to immense pressure to return to Islam. Dictatorial paranoia: Oman has an authoritarian government that imposes criminal penalties for dissent and intimidates the media. Social media and phones may be monitored to suppress any government criticism.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Women are in a vulnerable position in Oman’s conservative society, where fathers, husbands, and male guardians exert significant control over their lives. Women have no voice in society, so they are not expected to have their own religious opinions. It is extremely difficult for women to convert to Christianity, facing house arrest and being isolated from other Christians. Unmarried converts may also be pressured to marry a Muslim to force them to return to Islam. Housemaids, many of whom are Christian domestic migrant workers, experience sexual abuse and slave-like treatment. • • • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN It is very difficult for Muslim men to convert to Christianity in Oman. Converts risk social ostracism from families and communities. They are likely to lose the financial support of their families and the necessary connections to find or maintain a job in Oman’s network-based society. This impacts dependent family members, as men are traditionally

their family’s breadwinners. If married, he will lose custody of his children and he might be divorced. Converts may also be exiled from their home, placing them in an extremely vulnerable position. • • • • • • •

Denied access to social community / networks Denied custody of children Discrimination / harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Average pressure remained at an extremely high level for Christians, especially converts from Islam to Christianity. The one-point drop in score was mainly caused by fewer reported violent incidents during WWL 2023. Christians remain closely monitored by the government.

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

During the WWL 2023 reporting period, no cases of physical abuse by the authorities were reported. However, Christians in Oman, especially converts from a Muslim background, are strictly monitored by the security services, forcing them into self-censorship.

•

Many Omani converts from Islam to Christianity keep their new faith strictly secret. Physical and mental abuse by family members often remains hidden as well.

•

The expatriate Christian community remains monitored and applies self-censorship when it comes to proselytism and other Christian activities. WWL Year

Christians abducted

Christians raped and/or sexually assaulted

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

10*

2022

10*

Private life Expatriate Christians who publicly talk about their Christian faith can be accused of proselytism, which can lead to deportation. Oman is one of the few countries where Islam is the state religion, but conversion is not a crime as long as it is not done publicly. Given the tribal culture, however, a convert will be ostracized and lose all social security normally provided by the family. Family life All children born to Omani parents, including converts to Christianity, are considered Muslim. Non-Muslim children cannot be exempted from compulsory Islamic classes within state schools. A convert husband will lose his right to custody upon divorce (this would not be different for a convert wife, but women, in general, do not have custody rights). Community life Christians, especially converts and expatriates suspected of evangelism, are monitored by the government and society, who will inform the security services if they are aware of any “suspicious circumstances”. They can be interrogated by the police. In a tribal society like Oman, employment is often obtained via (family) relationships. Known Omani converts will not be able to get a job. Christian expatriate workers can experience discrimination. Their

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Christian faith is an extra vulnerability in this regard, although racism also often plays a negative role. National life The Omani Constitution (Article 28) only guarantees the “freedom to practice religious rites” under the condition that they “do not ... contradict morals”. Hence, there is no freedom to convert from Islam to Christianity. Christians will try to keep a low political profile in order to avoid provoking a hostile reaction from the government. Only Christian organizations offering a clear benefit to Omani society (e.g., a hospital) are welcomed. Church life Churches apply self-censorship and are careful not to organize public activities or print large quantities of Christian material that would be interpreted as proselytism. The government would likely act against any church integrating converts. The publication, importing, and distribution of religious materials are heavily regulated; churches are no longer allowed to use their own channels for importing Bibles.

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

International obligations & rights violated Oman has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Oman is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Children of Christian converts are forced to receive Muslim religious education and to participate in religious ceremonies and festivals that are not in line with their religious beliefs (CRC Art. 14)

•

Female converts to Christianity do not have the option of marrying a Christian spouse, as women registered as Muslims are legally restricted from marrying a non-Muslim (CEDAW Article 16)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Hindus, Buddhists, and non-Ibadi Muslims are relatively free to practice their own beliefs. The US State Department (IRFR 2021) states that other non-Muslim groups are relatively free to gather in designated areas, but overcrowding remains a problem. They also continue to meet in private locations, although this is officially prohibited. In addition, religious groups struggle to register with the government, as procedures are not clear. All licensed imams “must deliver sermons within politically and socially acceptable parameters”. The government introduced these measures to avoid political discontent being expressed in the mosques. Atheism is viewed with suspicion in Oman and was described at a high-level event as a “behavioral psychological problem”. The event was attended by high-ranking (religious) officials, including the Grand Mufti (Oman Observer, 24 May 2022).

Open Doors in Oman Open Doors raises prayer support for the believers and church in the Arabian Peninsula.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 OMAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

1.1

PRIVATE LIFE

13.2

FAMILY LIFE

11.6

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.9

NATIONAL LIFE

12.7

CHURCH LIFE

14.2

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Freedom of religion or belief is restricted by legislation introduced in September 2011. Using the threat of militant Islam as a pretext, the Kazakh government keeps society under tight control, including increased surveillance, raids on meetings and arrests. Russian Orthodox churches experience the fewest problems from the government, as they do not usually attempt to contact the Kazakh population. It is the indigenous Christian converts, from a Muslim background, who experience severe violations from the state, family, and community.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Kazakhstan

Quick facts LEADER President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev POPULATION 19,205,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 4,876,0001 MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

role in the country’s politics. There is no Christian political party.

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

4,876,000

25.4

Muslims

13,567,000

70.6

Agnostics

587,000

3.1

Ethno-religionist

30,500

0.2

Source2

A former Soviet republic, Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991 and is the wealthiest country in the region. Since 2010, the government has become more dictatorial, characterized by repressive policies, no real opposition and strict media control. The situation has not improved since President Tokayev took power in 2019. Sunni Islam is the main religion and Kazakhs are expected to be Muslims. This makes life challenging for converts to Christianity, especially in rural areas. However, it would be wrong to call Kazakhstan a Muslim country. Most Kazakhs follow the traditions rather than teachings of Islam, and 70 years of Soviet atheism have left their mark; the government is staunchly secular. A large Russian minority in the north is the reason Kazakhstan has the largest number of Christians in Central Asia. Over 90% of Christians in Kazakhstan belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. Christians in Kazakhstan play no

Religious affairs legislation introduced in September 2011 included religious communities needing to re-register, a ban on unregistered religious activity, restricted production and dissemination of religious materials in-country, and a prohibition on religious activities for children such as summer camps. The authorities raid services, punish speech “inciting religious discord” and detain individuals for “illegal missionary activity”. Since 2019, the right to freedom of religion or belief has been more respected, with the government abandoning proposed amendments that would have tightened the 2011 legislation. Religious Freedom Roundtables with minority groups have been held, and administrative prosecutions for religious offenses are declining. In January 2022, changes made to the Religion Law widened state religious censorship and made holding religious meetings away from state-registered places of worship more difficult.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) have relative freedom since they are not involved in evangelism among Kazakhs and therefore not seen as a threat. Also, the Kazakh government has no interest in provoking Russia by making difficulties for the ROC. Converts to Christianity Converts with a Muslim background suffer under restrictions from the state, and face severe pressure from family and community. Non-traditional Christian communities Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congregations are unregistered and experience raids, threats, arrests, and fines from the authorities, especially if they are active in evangelism.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia: Only state-controlled religious institutions are allowed. The authorities raid and arrest members of unregistered religious groups, especially Protestants, who are regarded as a foreign influence aiming to destroy the current political system. Islamic oppression blended with Clan oppression: Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background experience pressure and sometimes violence from family and community. This can include domestic incarceration or expulsion from home. Kazakh leaders (with the support of the authorities) see conversion as an assault on Kazakh identity. Many converts choose to keep their new faith a secret.

©Alamy

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Kazakh law gives equal rights to men and women. However, in practice, traditionalist views that consider women subservient to men prevail. There are few effective measures to address gender-based violence, polygamy, child and forced marriages, bride kidnapping, and pervasive domestic violence. Female converts risk greater levels of physical and verbal abuse, harassment, threats, and house arrest. Forced marriage to a Muslim is not uncommon, and occasionally is linked to abduction. It is difficult for women to escape these pressures due to high unemployment and limited financial independence. • • • • •

Abduction Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Violence – physical Violence – verbal

MEN Men tend to have higher levels of responsibility in the public sphere; the religious persecution that men experience reflects this sociocultural structure. They risk interrogation, fines, detention, and imprisonment. Obligatory military service for young men is an extra potential risk in a highly controlled environment in a Muslim-majority state. Converts from a Muslim background experience pressure from their families, typically facing verbal harassment and physical beatings. Job loss is also a risk for converts and church leaders, which then affects their dependent families. • •

Denied access to Christian religious materials, teachings, and rites Denied inheritance or possessions

• • • • • • • •

Discrimination/harassment via education Economic harassment via work / job / business Economic harassment via fines Imprisonment by the government Military/militia conscription / service against conscience Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Kazakhstan’s score increased by one point compared to WWL 2022. This is mainly because of a rise in pressure in the Community and Church spheres of life. Life in both these spheres is dominated by the two main persecution engines, dictatorial paranoia and Islamic oppression. While Muslim families, friends, and villagers exert pressure on converts (to Christianity) in particular, the government imposes many restrictions on church activities.

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

At least two Christians were arrested because of their faith.

•

One woman was raped, beaten, and almost killed by a Muslim taxi driver because she was non-indigenous and a Christian.

•

Sources reported that 25 converts (both men and women) faced harassment at the hands of their Muslim relatives and communities, mostly in rural areas. WWL Year

Christians raped and / or sexually assaulted

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

2023

2022

Private life Conversion from Islam to Christianity is seen as a betrayal of family and Kazakh culture. In rural areas, converts can suffer physical violence, so they refrain from talking about their new faith and hide Christian materials that could be used as evidence of conversion. Non-traditional Protestants can easily be accused of evangelizing by the state authorities. Family life Children of Christians are discriminated against on account of their parents’ faith, and Muslim children are often encouraged not to mix with them. They may be pressurized to attend Islamic classes against their parents’ will. Schools periodically organize statefunded public meetings about combating “sects” that spread negative propaganda against religious minorities, including Evangelicals. These meetings are supposedly voluntary, but everyone is strongly urged to attend. The adoption of a Kazakh child into a Christian family is not permitted.

National life The Constitution recognizes the state-supported Muslim Board and the Russian Orthodox Church. All other religious communities are required to re-register according to the 2011 law. The process is complicated and limits the possibility for non-traditional organizations to operate on an official basis. Church life Faith-based schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are not allowed. Any social work carried out by Christians is seen as a form of outreach and is opposed. Printing and distributing religious literature is restricted.

Community life Converts to Christianity from Islam are monitored, interrogated, and threatened by their families and communities. Unregistered churches are monitored and raided by the local authorities. Members can be threatened, fined, or detained for illegal religious activities. Once they appear in police records, Christians are required to report regularly.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

International obligations & rights violated Kazakhstan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Kazakhstan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians:

•

Churches from non-traditional denominations are raided and attendees arbitrarily arrested (ICCPR Arts. 9; 18 and 21)

•

Ownership and consultation of religious literature is severely restricted beyond international permitted limitations (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 19)

•

Christians and their activities are monitored by the authorities and the surrounding community (ICCPR Art. 17)

•

Christian female converts run the risk of being abducted and forcibly married to Muslim men (ICCPR Art. 23; CEDAW Art. 16 and ICESCR Art. 10)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Kazakhstan’s Constitution defines it as a secular state. Authorities restrict non-traditional religious groups including Muslims who practice a version of Islam other than the officially-recognized Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.

Open Doors in Kazakhstan Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Central Asia, primarily through: •

Literature distribution

•

Prayer support

•

Biblical training

•

Children / youth training

•

Women ministry

•

Advocacy and awareness training (SSTS)

•

Presence ministry

•

Vocational training

•

Social economic development projects

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 KAZAKHSTAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

2.0

PRIVATE LIFE

13.0

FAMILY LIFE

14.0

COMMUNITY LIFE

10.5

NATIONAL LIFE

12.3

CHURCH LIFE

12.7

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Most Christians belong to Orthodox or Roman Catholic churches. Overall, they enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom but experience discrimination in employment, monitoring of activities and restrictions against public preaching. An open testimony of faith by a Christian with a Muslim background can lead to beatings, arrest and killing. Unrecognized churches can face harassment by public authorities, particularly those that actively evangelize. Although Jordan likes to present itself as a beacon of tolerance and interfaith dialogue, radicalized Sunnis and returning jihadists from Syria and Iraq continue to pose a threat to the Christian community. Jordan has a disproportionately high number of Salafi Muslims, who are potentially a danger to Christians and other non-conforming groups living in the country.

T NO.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE

LIS

Jordan

Quick facts LEADER King Abdullah II POPULATION 10,301,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 170,000 (OD estimate) MAIN RELIGION Islam GOVERNMENT Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy ©Unsplash

citizens and parliament.

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

170,000

1.7

Muslims

9,796,028

95.1

Agnostics

254,222

2.5

Atheists

51,343

0.5

Source1

The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2021 classifies Jordan as an authoritarian regime. King Abdullah II and family have the power to appoint governments, approve legislation and dissolve parliament. According to Middle East Concern, “The Constitution of Jordan establishes Islam as the state religion. It affirms the principle of non-discrimination, including on the basis of religion, and states that the free exercise of worship and religious rites are to be safeguarded, provided these are consistent with public order and morality. Under applicable Islamic law, Muslims are effectively prohibited from changing their religion, and women registered as Muslim are not permitted to marry non-Muslims.” Though generally stable in terms of security, Jordan faced four Islamist attacks between 2016 and 2019. Human rights advocates have accused Jordan’s rulers of using the threat of terrorism to restrict the rights of

Jordan hosts large numbers of refugees, mostly from Iraq and Syria. Several thousand of these are Christians. Tension has increased between moderate and radical Islamic elements in Jordanian society. The US State Department (IRFR 2021) reported that religious leaders continued online hate speech directed towards religious minorities and those who advocated religious moderation.

How the situation varies by region The experience of Christians in Jordan is generally the same all over the country, although social control is likely to be higher in rural areas. The south of the country is also known to be more conservatively Islamic.

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians This category is not included in the WWL scoring and analysis. Historical Christian communities Orthodox and Roman Catholic communities are the largest categories of Christians. Overall, they enjoy

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) (Adapted according to OD-estimate)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

a relatively high level of religious freedom but can experience discrimination, for example in the area of employment. Converts to Christianity Christians with a Muslim background experience the most violations for their faith. If a convert’s new faith is discovered, he or she can face pressure and even violence from family, community, government officials, non-Christian religious leaders, and violent religious groups. Children of converts are particularly vulnerable. Registered as Muslims, children are supposed to live Muslim lives outside their homes, including attending Islamic classes. Non-traditional Christian communities After converts, Christians from Evangelical, Baptist, and Pentecostal congregations face the most opposition, in particular those active in outreach. They are especially scrutinized by the intelligence service and have reportedly suffered from government pressure and job blocks. Most non-traditional Christian communities are not recognized as churches, but as societies. Attempts to obtain equivalent status as other church denominations have consistently been resisted.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Islamic oppression: Converts from Islam to Christianity face the highest levels of pressure and even violence from family and community, including religious and ethnic leaders. All Christians can be subject to government monitoring and are at risk of Jordanians being radicalized by Islamic State (IS) ideology. The government has imposed Islamic values and laws on society, although it still promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence with other religions. Clan oppression: This especially affects Christians with a Muslim background. Jordan’s society is largely tribal, especially outside the major cities, and is embedded in Jordanian nationalism. After the mass influx of Palestinians into Jordan after the 1967 war with Israel, Jordan became divided into pure Jordanian “East Bankers” and Palestinian/ Jordanian “West Bankers”. East Bankers have a social, political and economic advantage.

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Female converts from Islam are the most vulnerable to persecution, with the family typically being the greatest source of pressure. Women risk house arrest, isolation, beatings, sexual harassment, forced marriage, and in extreme cases may be killed to retain family “honor”. Female converts cannot officially marry male Christians, and face their movements being restricted by the state and by families, for instance to prevent her from leaving the country. Personal status laws facilitate house arrest and forced marriages, while apostasy laws enable annulled marriages and loss of child custody. • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denied custody of children Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Enforced religious dress code Forced divorce Forced marriage Incarceration by family / house arrest Targeted seduction Travel bans / restrictions on movement Violence – death Violence – physical Violence – sexual Violence – verbal

MEN Economic discrimination affects all Christians, via unemployment, denied job progression and financial extortion. This causes familial financial issues and feelings of worthlessness for men and, alongside other pressures, can prompt men to emigrate. Under Sharia, marriages between Muslim women and nonMuslim men are not allowed. For the marriage to be legal, the man must convert to Islam. This makes legal marriage impossible between a Christian man who is

not a convert and a Christian woman with a Muslim background. There are further difficulties in the honorshame culture, where families can attack, reject, and expel men from their homes due to their choice of religion. The state pressures men through intelligence services interviews, especially church leaders. • • • • • • •

Denied legal ability to marry Christian spouse Economic harassment via work / job / business Forced out of home / expulsion Forced to flee town/country Imprisonment by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Jordan’s score decreased by one point compared to WWL 2022. This small difference is mainly due to a lower number of reported violent incidents. For example, there were no reports this year of Christians who had to leave their homes and find another place to stay inside or outside the country. Other incidents continue to be reported, such as physical abuse of mainly converts from Islam.

©Unsplash

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period Details of places and dates cannot be provided for security reasons. For the WWL 2023 reporting period: •

Christians detained: Converts and Christians involved in outreach can be called in regularly for questioning. It is unknown beforehand how long this will take, it can vary from 20 minutes to 12 days.

•

Christians sexually harassed: Women who do not dress as a Muslim (i.e. who do not wear a hijab) risk harassment as it creates a profile of vulnerability. It is estimated that at least 100 Christian women were sexually harassed for this reason. Therefore, many Christian women choose not to use public transport or taxi, especially at night.

•

Several converts and Christians who are active in aiding and discipling converts have been physically or mentally abused, usually by the families of the converts. WWL Year

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians raped and/ or sexually assaulted

Christians imprisoned or punished by the government

2023

10*

2022

10*

100*

Private life Though not criminalized, leaving Islam is not allowed. Converts whose faith is discovered can be referred to a Sharia Court, where he/she would be found “without religion” and have all contracts broken, including marriage. Converts are frequently targeted for monitoring and may face harassment from the secret police, be prevented from public sector employment and be ostracized within their communities. Women are especially likely to face house arrest, forced marriages and other measures intended to restore “family honor”. If Christians speak about their faith to Muslims, this can easily be understood as an attempt at evangelizing (which is forbidden in Jordan) and a threat to national security. Family life Children of converts from Islam, or children of a Christian mother and Muslim father, are automatically registered as Muslim, and it is not possible to change this. This means the child will be required to attend Islamic classes at school. In the case of divorce, those who have left Islam lose custody of any children according to Islamic law.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

Community life Monitoring (including phone calls and social media usage) is especially intense for known converts from Islam or for those active in evangelism. Cases have been reported where Christians have repeatedly lost or been denied the opportunity of employment because of their conversion. Promotion in the government and armed forces has a pro-Muslim bias, although nine parliamentary seats are reserved for Christians and Christians have been selected to work as ministers on a regular basis. Since most Jordanian women wear the hijab, Christian women are more obvious in public settings and are often viewed as dressing inappropriately and can thus become subjected to harassment. National life The Constitution of Jordan establishes Islam as the state religion and Sharia as the principal source of legislation. Officially leaving Islam to convert to another religion is illegal (as is nonIslamic evangelism). This is against Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is no legal mechanism for changing official religious affiliation from Islam to another (or no) religion, based on the apostasy provisions of Islamic law. In light of the current cyber-crime laws and the government’s history of arrests, freedom of speech is limited. Christians understand the need to avoid deliberately provocative statements, especially statements that are critical of Islam, the Crown, the military or statements that could be construed as proselytizing. It is a criminal offense in Jordan to insult Islam. Church life There is a level of routine monitoring of church activities, ostensibly for the protection of churches. However, this monitoring could be used against churches if provocative messages or activities were detected, or if Muslims were observed to be attending. The sale of Bibles and the distribution of Christian materials is only permitted in designated places, such as within recognized churches and adjacent church book stores, but not in ordinary markets or bookshops. ©Pexels

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

International obligations & rights violated Jordan has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Jordan is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christian converts are ostracized and faced with opposition by their families, and threatened with loss of child custody in the case of divorce (ICCPR Art. 18)

•

Children of Christian converts are automatically registered as Muslim (ICCPR Art. 18 and CRC Art. 14)

•

Christians are falsely accused and detained because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 19)

•

If arrested, Christians experience beatings and pressure to renounce their faith (ICCPR Arts. 18 and 10)

•

Christian women and girls are sexually abused because of their faith (ICCPR Art. 7)

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities Jordan’s systems tend to discriminate against communities belonging to non-Sunni dimensions, for instance Shiites, Baha’i, Druze, Buddhists, Hindus, Iraqi Mandaeans, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, all of which are not officially recognized. It is reportedly harder for a Sunni to convert to Shiite Islam than to convert to Christianity.

Jordanian woman reading Bible in Arabic.

Open Doors in Jordan In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors is supporting the Church in Jordan through: •

Training

•

Relief and rehabilitation

Open Doors also raises prayer support for Christians in Jordan.

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 JORDAN

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS

W O R L D WA

TC H

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND PRESSURE VIOLENCE

PRESSURE

VIOLENCE

9.4

PRIVATE LIFE

10.8

FAMILY LIFE

5.9

COMMUNITY LIFE

11.9

NATIONAL LIFE

12.8

CHURCH LIFE

13.6

Each of the six categories is scored out of a maximum of 16.7 points. The categories added together total 100 points (6 x 16.7 = 100).

Key findings Churches, especially the Roman Catholic Church, are labeled as destabilizing agents under the increasingly dictatorial government of President Daniel Ortega. They are a frequent target for intimidation, surveillance, harassment, attack, arrest, abduction, legal prosecution and forced displacement. As churches speak out against the government for committing injustices, human rights violations, and interference with the country’s democratic processes, harassment against them, including their charity work, has progressively intensified since the mediating and humanitarian work of the Church in the protests of April 2018.

T NO.

©Alamy

LIS

Nicaragua

of the entire state apparatus. The last presidential election in 2021 took place under inhospitable conditions for a democratic electoral process.

Quick facts LEADER President Daniel Ortega Saavedra

Although for many years Nicaragua appeared to be one of the safest and most stable countries in the region, since 2018 it has seen a weakening of the rule of law, as well as worsening corruption and repression. As a result of a centralized socialist economy, already plagued by a brain drain and inflation, the country suffers from high levels of poverty, unemployment, and malnutrition.

POPULATION 6,779,000 NUMBER OF CHRISTIANS 6,437,0001 MAIN RELIGION Christianity GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic

©Pexels

Context Main Religions

Number of adherents

Percentage

Christians

6,437,000

95.0

Agnostics

182,000

2.7

Others

102,800

1.5

OTHERS include Chinese folk, New religionist, Sikh, Spiritist, Taoist, Confucianist, Jain, Shintoist, Zoroastrian. Source2

Nicaragua emerged from a four-decade dictatorship in 1979. Daniel Ortega became the country’s president in 1984, leaving office in 1990. He came back into the presidency in 2006 and has remained in power ever since. Over the years, Ortega has become increasingly dictatorial. Ortega’s party is the country’s ruling party, the socialist Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN). It has centralized all power, taking control

Regime dissidents and journalists have been monitored, targeted, and killed by state actors. The government has tightened control over charities and non-profit organizations, before closing many down. Churches and universities have lost funding or run into legal troubles, at times as a retaliation for criticism against the government. The government has used intermittent internet outages to inhibit protesters and regime opponents. Christians find themselves monitored, harassed, sanctioned, and prosecuted for their use of media and social media. Zoom meetings organized by churches have been monitored by informers and, on occasion, church leaders have been met with police officers outside their homes. Around fifteen priests have recently been arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced. The government has recently taken to closing Catholic radio stations and ordering cable companies to stop transmitting Catholic channels. These developments have prompted the United States, Canada, and the EU to impose sanctions on Nicaragua in an attempt to put pressure on the Ortega administration. Nicaragua has recently damaged diplomatic relations with the United States, the EU, and the Netherlands. There is no protection or recourse to justice for regime dissidents, including Christians. Recent laws criminalize acts that are deemed disloyal to the regime.

How the situation varies by region Persecution is present nationwide and at all levels. The cities with the highest number of incidents of persecution against Christians are Granada, Jinotega, Managua, Masaya, Jinotepe, Matagalpa, Estelí, and León.

Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022)

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Who is affected? Communities of expatriate Christians Expatriate Christians are not forced into isolation and are therefore not treated as a separate category for WWL analysis. Historical Christian communities The largest group, the Roman Catholic Church, has seen multi-faceted forms of aggression and persecution by government actors and advocates in favor of the most vulnerable, especially when the Church voices opposition to the government’s dictatorial measures. Other historical Christian denominations have also noted an increase in regime hostility towards them during the WWL 2023 reporting period, mainly through administrative reprisals for refusal to align with government propaganda. Converts to Christianity Converts in Nicaragua are mainly former regime sympathizers or government officers who have experienced a religious conversion to the faith. They are now considered part of the opposition, and similarly experience hostility from the regime. Non-traditional Christian communities This category includes Baptists and Pentecostals. While a minority, they also experience hostility when expressing opposition to the regime (especially if they had previously been receiving support from it), with the main threat being loss of legal status to operate in the country.

Main sources of persecution and discrimination Dictatorial paranoia: President Ortega has filled state institutions with loyal supporters, banned leading opposition parties, and changed the legal framework (including the Constitution) to allow for indefinite re-elections and violations of civil rights. Government officials at all levels support the regime. The whole state apparatus functions to keep the president and his political elite, including members of his family, in power. Church leaders and Christian groups, especially Roman Catholics, face retaliation when they call out the regime and call for human rights and democratic principles to be respected. Church leaders have been mistreated, threatened, harassed, accused as traitors and enemies of the state, arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced. Churches have also been vandalized and services disrupted, creating a climate of fear. Communist and post-Communist oppression: Socialist-Communist ideology is taught in schools and imposed on citizens through state institutions, sometimes violently. Along with repression, censorship, and harassment, Christians face aspects of their religion (religious festivals, Biblical references) being deliberately distorted in support of the regime’s interests. This is a practice that is carried out in Communist neighbors Cuba and Venezuela, with which Nicaragua has a close relationship. Organized corruption and crime: Corruption is a deepening problem in the country, along with illicit drug trafficking. The judicial system, security forces, and public services operate to keep the ruling party’s leaders in power using sundry resources: bribes, manipulation, political influence. Violent paramilitary groups (also known as “Ortega death squads”), criminal groups, and Sandinista mobs act in tandem with the government to repress opponents and dissidents. Christians are an especially vulnerable group since there is nowhere to turn for protection.

©Unsplash

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

How are men and women differently affected? WOMEN Nicaragua’s legal framework provides for freedom of belief, religion, and worship and promotes equal empowerment of Christian women in all areas of society. Nicaragua ranked seventh in the world for gender equality in the 2022 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report, and is among the leading countries in terms of female educational attainment and political empowerment. However, the government’s clampdown on political opposition has contributed to increasing challenges to the civil liberties of women who oppose the regime, alongside non-governmental women’s rights organizations being closed. •

Violence – psychological

MEN From verbal insults, death threats, and vandalization of religious items, a significant portion of hostilities by government and pro-government groups are targeted at Catholic priests, bishops, and other church leaders (who are primarily male). In a recent speech, the president described the Catholic clergy in Nicaragua as “killers” and ”coup plotters” who promulgate “American imperialism”. Church leaders who are critical of the government are either forced into exile or arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms

on false charges. Institutions linked to dissenters also face heavy sanctions from the government. • • • • • • • •

Abduction Denied food or water False charges Forced to flee town / country Incarceration by the government Violence – physical Violence – psychological Violence – verbal

WWL 5 year trend WWL Year

Position on Open Doors World Watch List

Persecution rounded score out of 100

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Nicaragua rose nine points in WWL 2023, indicative of growing repression in the country since April 2018. The dictatorial presidential couple Ortega-Murillo and a coterie of elites supporting the regime has been forceful in silencing dissenting voices, especially the Roman Catholic Church, due to its historic authority and legitimacy in the country.

©Alamy

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Examples of violence in the reporting period •

August 2022: The National Police forcibly entered the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa and arbitrarily detained Bishop Rolando Álvarez along with seven other religious leaders, who had been locked up for more than 15 days under police siege. The National Police then placed the bishop under residential arrest and transferred the other seven leaders to the Directorate of Judicial Assistance. Elsewhere in Matagalpa, for three days the police besieged a priest, Father Uriel Vallejos, in the parish house, along with a group of six parishioners. A dozen members of the community were reportedly arrested for trying to help the priest and the parishioners inside.

•

August 2022: The government ordered the closure of eight Catholic radio stations administered by the Diocese of Matagalpa, under the tutelage of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and other priests frequently harassed by the regime.

•

April 2022: American pastors Tom and Debbie Guess, arriving in Nicaragua for preaching and missionary work, were detained at the airport for at least six hours. They were denied entry with no explanation and put on a flight back to Miami. WWL Year

Churches or Christian buildings attacked or closed

Christians detained

Christians physically or mentally abused

Christians forced to flee their countries

2023

2022

Private life Christians are targeted and threatened by the regime when they express faith-based political opinions criticizing the government, including on social media. The Special Cybercrime Law penalizes those publishing Internet content opposing the regime, which has led to selfcensorship for many. Additionally, when a Christian is known as a regime dissident, his extended family members may find themselves being interrogated by the government. This in turn has led to the practice of family members turning in information to the government about their Christian relatives’ activities and meeting places. Meetings with other Christians may be interpreted as conspiring against the regime, especially among Catholic Christians and in Masaya, Matagalpa, and Leon. Christians’ meetings have been monitored or disturbed by state actors, and cars photographed.

children in regime ideology. Children are forced to carry flags and banners praising the regime and to attend pro-government rallies. If parents try to shield children from state propaganda, they are seen as regime opponents and are at risk of reprisals and community pressure. Their children face discrimination and abuse, labeled as “children of terrorists” or “coup heirs.” Dissident Christians are at risk of kidnappings, arbitrary arrest, and imprisonment. Many have been forced to flee their homes, causing long-term separation of families.

Nicaraguans may in general own or keep the Bible and other religious materials, but those in government detention are not allowed to do so.

Community life Christians are under pressure to attend state propaganda events, extolling the ruling party and the semi-messianic figure of the President, along with his wife, who is also the country’s vice-president. In such a context, church activism or even association with church leaders are seen as a sign of national betrayal. The regime is also known to organize “religious events” without the involvement of church leadership, with the aim of discrediting church leaders and confusing the flock.

Family life Educational programs in schools indoctrinate young

Similarly, Christians in the workplace are pressured to attend pro-government event and spread

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

misinformation regarding the Church and its leaders. Students associated with Christian dissidents or targeted Church leaders have been harassed by pro-regime academics and administrators: suspended from school, expelled, or handed over to the police on charges of terrorism. National life To be linked with the regime opposition (via statements, pictures) is reason to be targeted. Even political neutrality may be understood as political opposition for its lack of defense of the regime. The only political party operating without obstruction is the regime’s ruling party. Christians who have attempted to create a Christian political alliance to participate in democratic elections have been met with restrictions. Christian civil society organizations run up against a new law that registers any regime political opposition as actions against the state, with accusations as extreme as coup-planning with foreign backing being leveled against them. The regime’s control of media and social media allows for the portrayal of Christians as terrorists and traitors planning a coup, intended to promote a climate of intolerance towards the Church. Attacks against Christians see no legitimate prosecution or punishment, ensuring impunity for perpetrators and stability for the regime. Church life Churches deemed to be a threat to the regime find state issuance of their permits and authorizations delayed. Church-run institutions of late face strict requirements to declare the origin of each item of international funding, with fines imposed when the government considers the donor to be a danger to the national interest. The government’s actions to block distribution of humanitarian and medical aid to those in poverty and disaster increase dependence on the state.

International obligations & rights violated Nicaragua has committed to respect and protect fundamental rights in the following international treaties: 1.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 3. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Nicaragua is not fulfilling its international obligations by regularly violating or failing to protect the following rights of Christians: •

Christians and their activities are monitored by the authorities and surrounding community (ICCPR Art. 17).

•

Christian leaders are monitored, and their activities are actively watched (ICCPR Art. 17).

•

Perpetrators of violence against Christians are sometimes left unpunished (ICCPR Art. 2).

•

©Pexels

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

Situation of other religious minorities No information on cases of persecution of non-Christian groups was reported.

Open Doors in Nicaragua Open Doors strengthens the persecuted church in Nicaragua through:

•

Discipleship of pastors in training centers

•

Distribution of Christian literature

•

Training in teaching skills

•

Emergency aid for the relief of persecution

•

Preparation for basic primary and secondary education for pastors who have not completed their studies

WORLD WATCH LIST 2023 NICARAGUA

Profile of Religious Freedom for Christians

About this brief •

•

The WWL 2023 reporting period was 01 October 2021 30 September 2022.

•

Many photos in this dossier are for illustrative purposes.

Open Doors Advocacy