A new report by Aid to the Church in Need, titled “Persecuted and Forgotten?”, has revealed alarming trends in the persecution of Christians worldwide. Conducted between August 2022 and June 2024, the report found that violations against Christians have intensified in 60% of the 18 countries examined.

Launched in London on October 22, the report outlines a troubling increase in harassment, arrest, and violence against Christians globally. The findings indicate that Christians face greater risks than ever, with instances of churches being burned, abduction and sexual violence against Christian women, and even killings due to their faith. Notably, the report documents religiously motivated harassment occurring in 160 countries, marking a significant rise from previous assessments.

Among the significant shifts noted in the report is the relocation of the epicenter of militant Islamist violence from the Middle East to Africa. Countries like Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Mozambique have reported escalating terror against Christians. The report also highlights that in nations such as China, Eritrea, India, and Iran, Christians are increasingly viewed as enemies of the state and face repressive measures.

A stark warning was issued regarding the treatment of Christian children, particularly girls, who are subjected to abduction, sexual violence, forced marriage, and forced conversion. Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Iraq, underscored the ongoing repercussions of the genocide faced by Christians a decade ago, noting that the migration of Christians continues to threaten the existence of their communities in regions with long histories of Christian presence.

The report also indicated a dramatic decline in the Christian populations in Iraq and Syria, with Iraq's Christian community dropping from 1.5 million in 2003 to fewer than 200,000 today, and Syria's from 1.5 million at the start of its civil war in 2011 to just 250,000 now. In Burkina Faso, the violence has contributed to the displacement of 2 million people.

Specific incidents of persecution include the destruction of 85 churches in Burma, the arrest of up to 10,000 Christians in China, and over 720 reported incidents of Christian persecution in India. Pakistan also faces challenges, with over 2,120 individuals accused of blasphemy from 1987 to 2022, a charge that can result in the death penalty.

For the first time, Nicaragua has been included in the report due to extreme measures against Christians, including the mass detention and expulsion of clergy. The findings call for urgent attention to the plight of Christians globally, highlighting a troubling trend that continues to evolve.