Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians

Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians, Page 2

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15: 19 (NIV)

Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians

VIETNAM (A-1, 2, 3)*

Although the Constitution and government decrees grant freedom of religion, the government continues to suppress religious freedom. Unauthorized Protestant and Roman Catholic churches are harassed, pastors may be given lengthy prison sentences, and Christian literature is confiscated and destroyed. The repression of the Christian faith is particularly severe among ethnic minorities, especially those of the Central Highlands. After staging public protests during 2001, many Montagnards were forced to flee to Cambodia. Some of them were forcibly repatriated to Vietnam where they reported being tortured. The situation in the Central Highlands continues to deteriorate with the imprisonment of pastors and the closure of most evangelical churches. Other acts of repression used to squelch Christianity among ethnic minorities included the seizure of ancestral forest homelands in the Central Highlands, the seizure of homes among the Hmong minority in northern Vietnam, and the denial of education in their native languages. This repressive regime's stated goal is to eliminate Christianity by the end of 2002.

NORTH KOREA (A-1, 2, 3)*

Labeled as part of an "Axis of Evil" by President Bush, North Korea, under dictator Kim Jong Il, continues its policies of severe repression of the Christian faith. Despite the presence of an "official" church, real freedom of religion does not exist. Exact numbers of believers are extremely hard to estimate due to the underground nature of the church in this tightly-con-trolled country, but there are believed to be up to 300,000 Christians in North Korea. There are also many North Koreans in China who accepted Christ after receiving aid from Christian groups working with refugees along the border. Some of these brave believers have returned to their country to share the Gospel, only to be arrested and tortured. Former prisoners report that tens of thousands of Christians are imprisoned in labor camps and are among the worst treated prisoners and may be arbitrarily executed. Christians in North Korea live under very difficult conditions as their own government does everything in its power to eliminate them.

MYANMAR (A-1, 2, 3)*

This nation, formerly known as Burma, is controlled by the State Peace and Department Council (SPDC), a military junta which tolerates no opposition. The main victims of persecution in Myanmar are ethnic minority groups, including the Karen and the Chin, both of which are largely Christianized. Whole villages of ethnic minorities have been used as forced labor or have been forced to pay tribute to army officials who abuse their power for peronal gain. During a three-month period during the summer of 2002, 28 Karen villages were looted or destroyed by the military. Indiscriminate killings are not uncommon and many ethnic minorities have fled the country for fear of their lives. In March, Chin Christians were ordered by the SPDC to take down a 30-foot cross that had been erected in their village. Myanmar continues to be one of the worst human rights offenders in the world as the government seeks to stamp out the Christian minority.

CHINA (A-2, 3)*

The underground Christian Church in China continues to be persecuted by the government as they refuse to register with the authorities. Most key Christian leaders of the underground church have been arrested, tortured, beaten, and have been fined and imprisoned, but they boldly continue to serve God. The underground church continues to grow at a rate of between 20,000 to 25,000 new Christians daily, whereas the state sponsored church shows a declining membership. Growth of the church has been broad based and is found in all elements of society, and in most provinces of China. The government continues to detain major leaders of the Catholic church despite repeated calls for their release. China continues to have one of the world's worst records of human rights abuses directed against Christians.

LAOS (A-2, 3)*

Christians in Laos have been labeled as the number one enemy of this largely Buddhist state, with Hmong believers targeted as "subversive elements." Buddhist organizations are openly promoted, but the government only recognizes three Christian denominations. The Lao constitution contains provisions for freedom of religion, but they are largely ignored. Christians are often harassed, churches are closed, and believers unwilling to recant their faith in writing are imprisoned. Arrested for practicing their Christian beliefs, believers in prison undergo harsh and cruel treatment, which includes being subjected to prolonged use of stocks, confined quarters, inadequate provision of light, food, water and medication. Once released from prison, local authorities further restrict the movements of these Christians.

(*see page 4 for definition of codes)

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POSTED: January 14, 2003


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