North Korea Top Persecutor
Open Doors
Jerry Dykstra
To read the story, click here: North Korea Top Persecutor
For the fourth straight year, the isolated communist nation of North Korea remains atop the 2006 Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians are persecuted the most.
The annual list ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith.
It is believed that tens of thousands of Christians are currently suffering in North Korean prison camps where they face cruel abuses, according to the 2006 World Watch List report. Some think the hermit regime has detained more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world. Though no exact figures can be given, Open Doors staff estimates that hundreds of Christians were killed by the regime in 2005.
North Korea is the most repressive nation in the world. It certainly deserves its No. 1 ranking on the 2006 World Watch List, says
As a member of the North Korea Freedom Coalition, Open Doors USA is partnering with NKFC during the North Korea Freedom Week April 24-30, 2006, in the United States .
Saudi Arabia holds the second spot on the list for the fourth year in a row. Rounding out the top 10 are Iran , Somalia , Maldives , Bhutan , Yemen , Vietnam , Laos and China . In addition to North Korea , countries with communist governments include Vietnam , Laos and China . Islamic-dominated countries are Saudi Arabia , Iran , Somalia , Maldives and Yemen . Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan .
