The British branch of the 64-year-old, Vatican-approved organization Aid to the Church in Need today released a finding that a full 75 percent of religious persecution is currently being carried out against Christians. It further claims that, in two-thirds of the countries, this persecution has worsened. 聯For millions of Christians around the world,聰 the report states, 聯persecution, violence discrimination and suffering are a way of life as they live out their faith.
In addition to the usual persecutors 聴 such as North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran 聴 it includes countries such as Venezuela and Zimbabwe, among others often overlooked. It cites in particular the 聯severe threat to the Christian presence in parts of the Middle East, especially Iraq and the Holy Land.聰 With respect to the Holy Land, it falls into the usual trap of prominently citing Israel聮s security barrier around the West Bank, without noting that it was erected as a response to horrific Palestinian terrorism against Israelis and that, in this, it has been effective. However, it also points out that Christians there have been subject to pressure from 聯Islamist groups whose appeal is growing among the population聰 and that Muslims have attacked Christian homes, shops and churches 聯almost on a daily basis.聰
Overall, the report is an important contribution to the field of human rights. A with brief country profiles and examples of anti-Christian persecution from the report can be found on the group聮s website.