Christians persecuted

Victims often do not report for fear of further harassment. In 2023, at least 166 arrests were made, but only a fraction were made public. Pressure and repression continue even after release. In Turkey, an Iranian Christian who fled in 2013 risks deportation and, in case of repatriation, imprisonment.

Village chiefs and residents attacked a house church in a village in southern Laos. The faithful, whose community is recognised by the government, were meeting for the Sunday service. Despite their complaint, the police have not yet punished the attackers. The region has already been the scene of sectarian persecution in the past.

Several factors explain the attack by the Islamic State against the Santa Maria Church, but the root cause is the failure to resolve the Palestinian question, which periodically inflames the region. For Bishop Bizzeti, there is a “domino” effect that stems from oversimplification and short-sighted policies. He criticises the "irresponsible" decision to halt funding to UNRWA in Gaza.

Out of 7,000 families that once made up the community, only 350 remain today. Out of 17 churches, at least nine have been closed and two set on fire. Many chose to emigrate to Iraqi Kurdistan or the diaspora. From those who are left comes a call for expats to return, for this is also "our land".

The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack against the Latin church. The two attackers were arrested trying to escape. The community is "terrified, shocked", said Bishop Palinuro. The incident raises questions "about the future of the Christian presence". Vicar of Anatolia notes that the government arrested 25 terrorists who wanted to attack churches and synagogues, but "they did not warn us".

Open Doors just released its World Watch List, focused on the 50 countries with the highest levels of discrimination against Christians. Around the world, about 365 million were affected in 2023, up from previous years. North Korea is still at the top. In Asia, Yemen, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan follow. India is 11th with concerns for rising acts of hostility ahead of this year’s elections.

Amid a crackdown against underground religious movements, Kan Xiaoyong, a former businessman who started his own Evangelical movement outside the official Three-Self Patriotic Movement, was given a harsh sentence. The Supreme People's Court openly tells lower courts to “adhere to the Party's position” and accept that “The judicial organ is first and foremost a political organ”.

For US authorities, Iranian Christians are no longer eligible under a resettlement plan introduced last year. For advocacy groups, this is a controversial and "traumatic” decision since the Islamic Republic remains a Country of Particular Concern in terms of religious freedom.

The Chaldean Patriarch raises the alarm over the continuous emigration of Christians, many of whom belong to the productive sector. They are increasingly "marginalised" in the country and no answers are coming from the government. From the joint effort of some leading ecclesiastical figures a renewed commitment for the future.

After Christian homes and churches were torched last summer on the pretext of blasphemy, street sweepers, who are mostly Christian, were not paid for two months before Christmas. “During the year, we lack proper equipment and tools for the job and because of this we often get sick,” street sweeper Khurram Masih told AsiaNews. Before Christian holy days, “we never get paid on time,” forcing them “to take out loans”.

The complaint of Enishke parish priest Fr. Samir Youssef: "Just yesterday morning the home of a family from our community was hit, the fear is great. They are striking closer and closer to us." A new offensive involving northeastern Syria has been underway for a few weeks now.

Security forces took the prelate into custody last night, telling him to bring clothes for every season. Ordained coadjutor bishop with papal mandate in 2011, he is not recognised by the authorities for refusing to join the Patriotic Association. Since the death of his predecessor in 2016, he has been prevented from carrying out his ministry in one of China’s oldest and foremost Catholic communities. Now “the faithful are praying for him” and his release, a source told AsiaNews.