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One such example of these oppressive regimes, according to the RFR, is Nicaragua, which for the first time was included on the list of countries with the highest levels of religious freedom violations.

Main findings

Africa continues to be the most violent continent, with an increase in jihadist attacks making the religious freedom situation even more alarming. Almost half of the “hot countries” in the RFR map, that is 13 out of 28, are in Africa. The concentration of jihadist activity is especially evident in the Sahel region, around Lake Chad, Mozambique, and Somalia, and is spreading to neighbouring countries, many of which remain under observation, having suffered Islamist attacks on their borders.

China and North Korea remain the two countries in Asia with the worst record of human rights violations including religious freedom, with the state exercising totalitarian control through surveillance and extreme measures of repression against the population.

The RFR also pays close attention to India, where persecution levels have been on the rise, with the imposition of a dangerous ethno-religious nationalism that is harmful to religious minorities. Anti-conversion laws have been approved, or are under consideration, in 12 of India’s 28 states, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Furthermore, these laws include financial benefits for those who convert, or revert, to the majority religion.

Incidents of forced religious conversion, abductions and sexual violence (including sexual slavery) have not decreased during the two-year period under review, and in fact remain largely ignored by local law-enforcement, as is the case in Pakistan where young Christian and Hindu girls are often abducted and subjected to forced marriages. Besides the gross violation of their human rights including religious freedom, these practices also have the effect of limiting the growth of their religious communities.

The RFR also highlights the serious internal crises that are occurring in Muslim communities all over the world. On one hand, many young Muslims continue to be attracted to Islamist terrorist networks, but on the other, especially in the Middle East, there are signs of a widespread secularisation. In Iran, for example, there are surveys indicating that 47% of the population claimed no religious affiliation and only 32% identified as Shiite during the recent Iranian women’s “hijab revolution”.

Cancel culture

The RFR draws attention to concerns over increasing limits to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion in countries that belong to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Over the past two years the West has shifted from a climate of “polite persecution” towards those who want to openly live and express their faith to one of a “cancel culture” and “enforced speech” with strong social pressure to conform to current ideological trends.

On a positive note, the report points out an increase in interreligious dialogue initiatives, and the joyful return to unrestricted religious celebrations in many countries after COVID 19 lockdowns.

Regina Lynch, recently appointed as executive president of ACN International, explains that the main purpose of this report is to “motivate people to get involved and help those suffering from religious persecution through prayer, sharing information, speaking up for victims, engaging politicians and keeping informed about reality on the ground in different parts of the world”.

“The ACN Religious Freedom in the World Report seeks only to collate information and provide analysis about the abuse of this fundamental human right worldwide. It is a tool. The tool is only as good as those who take it up, share it with others, and work to effect change”, says Regina Lynch.

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