International Christian Concern has released a new report titled “Freedom of Worship: A False Reality in Vietnam.” The document examines the current state of religious freedom and Christian persecution under the Communist Party of Vietnam. According to the outlet, the government tightly monitors religious expression, forcing non-compliant churches underground. The report states that authorities often use fabricated or vague criminal charges to silence Christians, particularly Montagnard believers. Despite these challenges, the report notes that the church continues to operate under oppression. The full report is available on the ICC website.
As of May 28, Russian authorities have listed Baptist pastor Yuri Sipko as a terrorist and extremist on the Rosfinmonitoring registry. The 74-year-old former leader of the Union of Evangelical Baptist Christians in Russia was targeted for speaking out against the war in Ukraine. An Investigative Committee case began in August 2023, alleging he spread false information about military operations. Sipko, who claims the charges are politically motivated, was banned from financial transactions and leaving the country. Analysts note this reflects increasing pressure on Christians in Russia who question the government's actions.
Vietnamese authorities arrested Pastor Siu Yúi, 68, and church member Siu Dok, 40, in Gia Lai Province. According to Christianity Solidarity Worldwide, the men face charges of using religious teachings to mobilize ethnic minorities toward separatism. International Christian Concern reports this detention is part of a broader campaign by the Communist government against Montagnard Christians who refuse to join state-sanctioned churches. The outlet also notes the recent extradition of leader Y Qinh Bdap from Thailand. The group urges support for those facing persecution in Vietnam and abroad.
A young Christian auto-rickshaw driver in Punjab, Pakistan, was shot multiple times by elite police officers after being mistaken for a suspect. The incident occurred in a town in southern Punjab when the actual suspect fled and fired at officers, who instead targeted the driver. Although the driver survived due to a phone blocking a bullet, he faces potential paralysis. Reports indicate that police are pressuring the driver and his family to withdraw the complaint, despite regional officials suspending the involved officers and ordering an investigation. This highlights systemic intimidation within the elite unit against Christians in the region.
On May 21, a group of Buddhists threw stones at Zion Church in Southern Sri Lanka while nearly 20 Christians were inside for prayer. According to local sources, the attack occurred around 8 p.m. and damaged the asbestos-sheet roof. The congregation was terrified by the noise, and the attackers fled after a prolonged pelting. The church’s pastor expressed sadness over the damage to the roof, which was funded by the poor members' savings. Police responded quickly and promised regular security visits during services. The legally registered church, established in 2022, remains concerned about safety amid ongoing hostility toward Christians in the region.
Militants attacked a village in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 24 people, including a pastor and his wife. This violence follows a recent massacre in a nearby area that left 15 dead. The attacks have heightened security concerns in the region, where national and international forces are deployed. Critics argue these repeated assaults reveal strategic failures and urge the government to prioritize ending the militant threat. Local community leaders report increasing fear and psychological distress among residents as abductions continue to disrupt daily life and safety in the affected areas.
A new report from the French Interior Ministry reveals a significant increase in religiously motivated abuse in France. According to the outlet, attacks on Christians rose by 70% in 2025, with physical assaults doubling. Meanwhile, 53% of all anti-religious acts targeted Jewish people and synagogues, while 34% were directed at Christians and church buildings. The findings highlight severe religious freedom challenges in the country, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The report warns that this growing intolerance serves as a critical signal for other nations facing similar trends against these communities.
Selangor state authorities in Malaysia have approved guidelines prohibiting non-Muslim places of worship in commercial shoplots. Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung highlighted the rules, approved by the State Executive Council in November 2025, which ban converting retail spaces for religious use. Officials cite traffic and parking concerns, though critics argue these venues operate mainly on Sundays when commercial activity is low. The outlet attributes the restrictions to a broader agenda linked to the Malaysian Shariah Index, suggesting the policy aims to curb Christian growth and respond to religious conversions among Malay Muslims. While enforcement is currently paused, the guidelines remain in place.
On Sunday, May 24, members of the Islamic Jihad Front disrupted a worship service at Misi Sejahtera Church in Panggungharjo Village, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Led by Abdurahman Abu Zaki, approximately 15 individuals demanded the service stop, citing lack of permits and local opposition. The congregation dispersed at 8:30 a.m. to avoid tension. Gugun Gumilar, special staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs, condemned the act as a serious legal violation and coordinated with police for arrests. While local officials noted the church held a Report Certificate, authorities are still reviewing if this suffices for worship use. This incident highlights ongoing challenges for Christian communities in Indonesia regarding building legality and social harmony.
Suspected Fulani gunmen attacked a Christian farming village in Plateau State, Nigeria, killing eight people and injuring at least fifteen others. Residents reported the assault occurred shortly after evening church services, with attackers opening fire on civilians returning home. Local officials from the Mangu Local Government visited the community and injured survivors, promising to cover medical expenses and urging residents to cooperate with security agencies. The incident highlights ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt, where rural communities frequently face armed attacks and land disputes.
Three leaders of a house church in China, including a pastor, another pastor, and an elder, have been denied access to Bibles while imprisoned. They were arrested following a church raid and charged with cult activities. International Christian Concern states these charges are likely false and stem from their refusal to join the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Despite prison regulations allowing inspected reading materials, the men’s requests for scriptures have been rejected. Their families report increased intimidation after filing complaints regarding this denial of access. The group attributes the persecution to religious freedom restrictions in the region.
The Myanmar military has captured strategic border towns from ethnic militias following a disputed election. These areas contain high concentrations of Christians, making them targets of the regime's Buddhist nationalism. Reports indicate systematic village destruction in northern regions and airstrikes on Christian communities. International observers highlight ongoing repression and the displacement of millions. Despite military gains bolstered by foreign support, analysts note growing war weariness among the local population. This escalation intensifies the conflict against ethnoreligious minorities in the country, raising concerns about the safety of believers in these contested zones.
In a region of India, a mob of over 100 Hindu nationalists attacked seven Christians digging a grave near a city. The attackers, armed with sickles and rods, assaulted the men because they refused to allow a Christian burial within the village, claiming it would defile the soil. International Christian Concern reports that more than 35 similar incidents occurred last year. Victims suffered severe injuries. The violence has forced families to flee, with ten households from a district displaced. Pastors also face threats, highlighting ongoing persecution against believers in the region.
Hindu nationalist groups disrupted a two-day Christian convention in a city in Madhya Pradesh, India. Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal entered the venue, alleging forced conversions despite organizers stating the event was for Christians only. Police detained 15 committee members under pressure from protesters, citing lack of permissions, before releasing them. Organizers refuted the claims, noting mandatory free-will declarations for attendees. The police canceled the second day of the program to prevent further unrest. The incident highlights tensions between religious groups in the region.
Catholic bishops from Pakistan met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Bishop Samson Shukardin, head of the national bishops' conference, detailed systemic discrimination, blasphemy law misuse, and forced conversions affecting young Christian girls. He emphasized that Christians lack equal rights and face persistent social barriers, yet remain steadfast in faith. The delegation presented a hand-woven carpet and formally invited the Pope to visit Pakistan. Pope Leo expressed deep interest in the request, though no official travel date has been announced. The bishops hope these diplomatic efforts will eventually secure full human rights equality for Pakistani Christians.
The Australian Christian Freedom Index was launched in Canberra today, presenting findings from a survey of over 10,000 Christians and a review of 74 parliamentary acts. According to the report, 92% of respondents believe it is riskier to affirm Christian beliefs publicly now than five years ago. The index identifies six causes for discrimination, including doctrinal drift and legal asymmetry. It also cites the 2024 stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel as an example of Islamist extremism. The findings suggest a rapid erosion of religious liberties across the country.
Twenty Christians remain held hostage in a region of northeastern India following the murder of three pastors. The victims were returning from a peace conference aimed at tribal reconciliation. Armed groups from local tribes have engaged in retaliatory abductions, leading to a crisis where negotiations were led by church and civil society leaders. While some civilians were released after a standoff, individuals from both sides are still detained. International Christian Concern reports that some fear the hostages may have been killed, as information remains scarce. Global Christian leaders are urging an end to the violence and a swift investigation.
A Hindu nationalist organization has launched an international outreach campaign across several Western nations to address criticism regarding its role in religious persecution within India. The group’s general secretary stated the effort aims to dispel misconceptions about the organization. This move follows a recent report by a U.S. commission linking the group to violence against minorities. Critics argue the campaign seeks to reshape global perceptions while anti-conversion laws and attacks on Christians continue to rise in the country. Human rights advocates warn that the group's ideology contributes to systemic intolerance under the current government.
Fulani Christian leaders in a region of central Nigeria are calling for greater recognition of peaceful communities, stating they are caught between armed militia attacks and public suspicion. Representatives from a local outreach organization and a convert in a northern state emphasize that many Fulani people reject violence and are not linked to a group labeled a terror organization by the U.S. government. Despite facing threats and mistrust from both Muslim and Christian neighbors, these individuals seek to distinguish themselves from armed groups. They report being overlooked by humanitarian aid organizations while living in insecure rural areas across several states.
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