A pastor originally from a province in China now serves abroad while monitoring religious freedom. In an interview, he describes how the environment for Christians shifted after 2012. He cites the removal of church crosses in his home region and the demolition of a church in a specific county, where believers were arrested. The pastor notes that unregistered house churches face intensified controls, including surveillance and harassment. He also explains that registered churches must comply with state policies, such as displaying political symbols, though some pastors view these requirements as mere formalities to maintain their ministries.
Authorities in China recently intensified operations against an unregistered church, detaining numerous leaders and their families. Raids across various locations resulted in the arrest of many congregants, with some formally charged. While one senior pastor was eventually released after a lengthy detention, others remain imprisoned. The crackdown also targeted family members, including spouses of clergy, causing significant distress for children and relatives. Some family members have fled abroad to raise awareness about the persecution. The group highlights the ongoing separation of families and the health crises faced by those detained, emphasizing the severe impact on the Christian community.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that approximately 90 Christians in India have been forced from their villages due to threats and violence linked to their faith. Victims, including families in various districts, describe attacks by mobs demanding they renounce Christianity or face expulsion. Reports detail instances where police failed to protect residents, with some officers allegedly coercing victims into signing land sale documents under threat of imprisonment. Displaced families now live in temporary shelters, facing significant challenges in securing livelihoods, education for their children, and basic necessities while remaining unable to return to their ancestral homes.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nicole Arango Lang on UnsplashPersecuted church
A preacher in Colombia’s Cesar Department was shot dead, with local leaders suspecting the ELN guerrilla group targeted him for promoting peace. This incident highlights a broader crisis where at least 13 religious leaders were killed or kidnapped between December 2024 and May 2026. Although Law 2421 of 2024 grants special protection to clergy, a 2023 decree removed them from the National Protection Unit’s vulnerable categories. CSW argues this policy gap leaves ministers exposed to violence from armed groups in regions like Catatumbo and Magdalena.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide urges Nigeria to enforce its 1999 Constitution rather than create new laws to protect religious minorities. The organization cites recent attacks in northern regions, where hundreds of Christians have been killed or abducted. CSW highlights systemic failures: delayed military response in one area, the release of suspects in another for peace deals, and unequal aid for Christian displaced persons in a third region. The group states these outcomes result from administrative discretion and lack of oversight, not a legal vacuum. With US troops withdrawing, CSW calls for transparent monitoring of security and resource allocation to ensure constitutional guarantees are upheld for believers in danger.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide argues that the European Union should maximize its influence over Pakistan and Sri Lanka through the upcoming Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus renewal. The organization suggests that the reapplication process in 2027 offers optimal leverage for human rights advocacy. CSW recommends that the EU require specific, measurable action plans from applicant nations rather than vague commitments. The group highlights that threatening tariff suspension is more effective than imposing them, as tariffs harm the general population. They propose concrete steps, such as prosecuting false blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, to demonstrate tangible progress without requiring immediate legislative overhaul. This approach aims to ensure accountability while maintaining trade benefits.
A Nicaraguan Catholic volunteer was arrested in May 2023 and sentenced to seven years for alleged coup plotting. Reports detail his imprisonment in a notorious facility, where he faced isolation, poor nutrition, and harassment for practicing his faith. After being released in a prisoner exchange later that year, he fled to a neighboring country and eventually resettled in the United States with his wife. The case highlights the government's systematic persecution of religious workers and the severe health consequences faced by detainees. The exile now lives separated from his children, facing significant barriers to accessing regular worship services abroad.
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