Authorities in eastern China have imposed stricter regulations on registered churches following an incident at a local university. According to an Open Doors partner, student activists posted sensitive political content online, which officials traced back to a registered church connected to house churches. The group had previously distributed foreign Bible study materials. In response, police warned against religious activities among students and children, and forced the closure of several meeting locations. Only main church sites remain open. The measures aim to limit the spread of Christianity on campuses and ensure better control over church membership numbers. This development further restricts religious freedom in the region.
Nearly fifty people were killed in a region of Nigeria during attacks by militants. The violence targeted Christian communities, with reports of homes burned and residents trapped. Local sources stated that 43 deaths were initially confirmed, later revised to 49, with casualties likely rising. This incident is part of a severe escalation since late March 2025, where over seventy people have been murdered in the area. The attacks have displaced thousands, destroying livelihoods during the crucial planting season. A government advisor confirmed the trauma and fear gripping the local population. Open Doors urges authorities to protect communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
A planned violent demonstration in a region of India was cancelled following international pressure. A local figure had called for an attack on Christian villages, accusing residents of cow slaughter. Thanks to global attention and prayers, the event was called off. Police provided protection, and local leaders agreed to maintain peace. Although the individual stated his campaign continues, the immediate threat was averted. This outcome highlights the impact of international advocacy on local religious tensions in India.
Christians in a state in central India are fearing violent attacks following viral speeches calling for aggression against alleged cow slaughterers. Hindu leaders urged crowds to target villages with Christian populations, equating believers with cow killers. According to Open Doors Nederland, the speakers incited groups to invade these areas. Local police have increased patrols to protect residents, citing a history of coordinated attacks against Christians in the region. The community is seeking government intervention to prevent further violence.
Seventy beheaded bodies were discovered in a Protestant church in a village in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident occurred in an area where the Allied Democratic Forces have been conducting attacks. Many victims were identified as people missing after recent village raids. Open Doors condemned the violence, noting the group is linked to ISIS and targets civilians and Christians. The organization called for greater protection of citizens in the region, citing a context of impunity where few perpetrators are held accountable for these widespread human rights violations.
Syria experiences severe instability following the regime's fall. A Christian resident reports sectarian violence in western regions, impacting Alawite and Christian communities during Ramadan. Loyalist attacks have caused deaths, looting, and displacement. The nation also faces a deep economic crisis with frozen bank accounts and job losses. President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed an agreement integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the state army, offering hope for unity. A temporary constitution aims to protect minority rights, though power remains concentrated. The situation remains volatile as the country navigates this difficult transition period amid ongoing security and economic challenges.
In a village in northern Bangladesh, an adult literacy class for converts has faced months of opposition from local Muslims. Villagers pressured participants to quit and forced the church leader to stop lessons. The situation escalated when villagers confronted the coordinator, accusing them of proselytizing. Following this, villagers were ordered to cut all contact with Christians who were formerly Muslim. The participants now face severe social exclusion, including bans on using public resources and water sources. A local partner is carefully assessing how to support the community without worsening the persecution. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges for religious minorities in the region.
Following Boko Haram attacks in late 2023, approximately 100 Christians from a village in northern Cameroon fled to a remote desert area. They established a new settlement in the northern region. A pastor began leading services for the local evangelical union, while a lay leader manages the congregation monthly. Despite lacking a proper building and facing daily hardships regarding food and water, the group continues to meet under a shelter. Local partners are planning support to help construct a more durable structure for the displaced community.
It has been eight years since Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in Malaysia. Security footage shows him being forced from his vehicle into a black car. A Malaysian human rights group attributes the kidnapping to a special police unit. His wife, Susanna Koh, has fought the government since 2020 for accountability and answers. She reports ongoing trauma and her children's depression. Koh founded Harapan Komuniti to aid marginalized groups. Authorities suspected him of converting Muslims. Susanna continues to demand justice and the prosecution of those responsible for her husband's disappearance.
Kirgizia has enacted stricter religious laws, banning unregistered worship and raising the membership threshold for legal status from 200 to 500 adults. Registered groups must now register their meeting spaces, and public proselytizing is prohibited. Penalties have increased significantly. While the government claims these changes simplify compliance, religious communities report heightened fear of closures. The nation recently ranked 47th on the Christian persecution list due to rising state control over religious activities. (Source: Forum 18)
Open Doors highlights five specific forms of persecution targeting Christian women on International Women's Day. The organization notes that discrimination against women often differs from that faced by men. These forms include forced marriages, particularly in North Africa, and sexual violence used as a weapon in regions like the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. Physical attacks, spiritual pressure through isolation, and kidnappings are also prevalent. The group states that these abuses aim to force women back to their original faith or silence their Christian beliefs. The outlet emphasizes that while women suffer greatly, they also show resilience.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the country, with Russian state media stating he is in Moscow. This development marks the end of his two-decade rule and sends shockwaves through the region. Fears of a power vacuum and renewed violence among warring factions have increased. Critical infrastructure, including power plants, has been targeted, leaving parts of the nation without essential services. Christians and other minorities brace for an uncertain future. Maarten Dees of Open Doors notes that the Christian community is caught off guard by these rapid political changes and faces unknown treatment under new leadership. The situation remains highly unstable as citizens flee ongoing conflicts.
Translated from NederlandsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Open Doors reports that 380 million Christians worldwide endure severe persecution and discrimination for their faith. The organization highlights rising authoritarian control in Central Asia, with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan implementing restrictive measures. North Korea remains the top country on its persecution list for the 23rd consecutive year. Violence is escalating in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, while conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, and Myanmar trap Christians between warring factions. Meanwhile, churches in Algeria, Libya, and Afghanistan are forced underground due to government pressure and extremist rule. Maarten Dees, the director, describes the situation as a world of suffering and worsening religious freedom.
In Malaysia, a police detective testified in court regarding the 2017 abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh. Ali Asrar Abu Bakar admitted that the initial investigation was inadequate, noting that officers spent less than 15 minutes at the scene and failed to secure nearby surveillance footage. He stated the kidnapping appeared professionally executed, similar to a police operation, and claimed he spent more time questioning the victim's wife about her husband's alleged crimes than searching for him. Koh's wife is suing the government for negligence. The proceedings resumed on January 14, 2025, according to Open Doors Nederland.
Christians in Syria express mixed feelings of cautious optimism and deep skepticism following the fall of the Assad regime. Interviews with believers reveal fragile hope for the future, marked by newfound freedoms. However, many remain anxious about potential extremism and power vacuums. A bishop urges the community to stay active and productive rather than isolated. While some rural areas face displacement and property seizures, church leaders encourage resilience. The community watches developments closely, balancing hope with the trauma of decades of authoritarian rule.
Over 140 Christian leaders from at least 14 African nations signed a statement in a city in Kenya, declaring that Christians are specifically targeted by extremist violence. The signatories, including figures from Nigeria, Mali, and Togo, argue that while religious extremism affects many groups, Christians suffer the most. They expressed frustration at being ignored by the wider church and international community. Reports from the Global Terrorism Index and Human Rights Watch confirm that the Sahel region is now a major epicenter of terrorism, with armed groups attacking believers. The leaders urge global support for protection and justice for persecuted communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Militants released footage showing the beheading of individuals kidnapped in a northern Nigerian region. Two victims were Christians, including a woman killed by a relative citing religious differences, and another forced to convert and marry a fighter. A representative for Open Doors notes that despite government incentives for displaced persons to return, ongoing insecurity and landmines prevent Christians from going back. The group targets believers as infidels. Nigeria ranks sixth on the 2024 Christian Persecution List due to these targeted attacks and the state's failure to protect communities.
An eight-year-old Afghan Christian girl was raped and murdered in a Central Asian country after her family fled Afghanistan. According to Open Doors Nederland, the family faced discrimination and persecution as illegal refugees with no access to local police. Local church members assisted with the burial and funeral rites. The father continues to help distribute food despite his grief and has requested prayers and winter support for refugees. Afghanistan ranks tenth on the 2024 World Watch List for Christian persecution, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of displaced believers in the region.
Two evangelical congregations in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region are encountering significant resistance from local authorities regarding property rights and construction permits. One church, active since 1970, lost land that officials claimed was a voluntary donation, a claim the church disputes as fraudulent. The other church, founded 85 years ago, has been denied a building permit for years despite having 720 members. Additionally, a meeting place in a multi-provincial area was shut down because officials argued the attendees were not local residents. These restrictions highlight the difficulties non-traditional churches face in Vietnam, which ranks 35th on the Christian persecution list.
Translated from Nederlands
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