Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians

SUDAN (A-1, 2, 3; B-1)*

The persecution of Christians continues unabated although different techniques are used depending upon the region of the country. The Government of Sudan (GOS) uses helicopter gunships and Antonov bombers to annihilate innocent civilians in the predominately Christian southern provinces. The denial or manipulation of humanitarian aid delivery leads to further hardships as many Christians lack food and medication. The GOS uses different and more subtle tactics in northern Sudan as they attempt to stamp out Christianity. They have embarked upon a policy of Islamization of the younger generation by requiring all children to be instructed in Islam, including students in Christian schools. Christians also suffer discrimination when attempting to obtain health care and permission for building churches and are among the worst treated prisoners. Sudan remains one of the top abusers of human rights in the world.

IRAN (A-1, 2, 3)*

Believers in Iran live in constant fear of government harassment in this Shiite Muslim state as all activities of religious minorities are monitored. Most evangelical churches have closed, or have been restricted to conducting services in Armenian or Assyrian. However, many secret underground churches exist in Iran where Muslim converts can worship. Harassment by the police is common and some believers have been known to "disappear." Some Christians flee the country and seek asylum in the USA, Canada, or other western countries, risking the possibility that they will be persecuted if returned to Iran. Government sanctioned persecution of Christians continues unabated in Iran.

SAUDI ARABIA (A-1, 2, 3)*

During the past several years the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has arrested and deported foreign Christian workers for attending private worship serv-ices in homes. The last Christian prisoner known to ICC was released in September 2002 after ICC and others created a storm of protest. However, Saudi Arabia continues to be completely intolerant of all religions other than Islam, and severely restricts any Christian activities in public or private. Bibles are confiscated, churches are banned, and the display of Christian symbols is absolutely forbidden, all despite pressure from the West to improve its human rights record. Saudi citizens who convert to Christianity can be sentenced to death for apostasy. It could be argued that Saudi Arabia has the worst record of human rights abuses against Christians in the world.

INDONESIA (B-1, 2, 3)*

Since 1999, over 10,000 people have been killed and over 500,000 displaced from their homes due to violence between the Christian and Muslim communities in Maluku and central Sulawesi. Most of the violence has been carried out by Islamic fundamentalists who are determined to "drive the Christians into the sea." During 2000 and 2001 several thousand Christians who were held captive in their own villages were forced to convert to Islam and endure circumcision. Repeated attacks on Christian villages by well-armed jihad warriors led to the destruction of countless Christian homes and churches. Family members witnessed the death of loved ones who were brutally murdered before their eyes. Despite the end-less list of atrocities being carried out by Islamic militants, the Indonesian government has arrested mostly Christians for alleged involvement in the violence and has allowed many jihad warriors to go free. In spite of a relative calm in the situation at present, it is believed that violence may surge again in the near future, as militant groups continue to operate.

PAKISTAN (A-2, 3; B-1)*

Christians in Pakistan have increasingly come under attack by Islamic fundamentalists bent on avenging the deaths of Taliban and Al-Qaeda members killed in the US War on Terrorism. Since October of 2001, 39 Christians have been killed and more than 75 have been injured in grenade attacks on churches and other Christian-run institutions. Militant Muslims in Pakistan have also been known to rape, kidnap, and forcibly marry Christian women. Christians also suffer under the Pakistani legal system, which sentences Christians to death under blasphemy law 295c. At least eight Christians are currently imprisoned under the blasphemy law, which is often abused by those with a personal grudge against the Christian.


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Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians, Page 3

Top Ten Countries Persecuting Christians

POSTED: January 14, 2003