More Than 388 Million Christians Face Persecution Worldwide, New Index Finds
The latest World Watch List points to worsening conditions in Africa and the Middle East, with Nigeria emerging as the deadliest country for believers.
The latest World Watch List points to worsening conditions in Africa and the Middle East, with Nigeria emerging as the deadliest country for believers.

“The right to freedom of opinion, to freedom of conscience, to freedom of religion, and even to life is being restricted in the name of other so-called new rights,” the pontiff said.

At least 30 people have been killed in the attack that comes less than two months after hundreds of students were kidnapped from a location just 20 km away.

Western governments must make the protection of religious freedom a non-negotiable part of their foreign policy.

What is at stake is more than the survival of a population: it is the preservation of a living heritage that links Europe to its earliest Christian roots.

“Defending values and heritage is far more important in the long term than securing a few commercial contracts.”

Christians were a majority until the 1980s; today they are roughly one-third, living under growing pressure from a Muslim majority.

The United States government seeks to intensify bilateral security cooperation with European allies in a bid to counter extremist groups more effectively worldwide.

Despite Pakistan’s deteriorating human rights situation, the EU continues its partnership with the country.

Those Syrians who are fond of Islamist rule can and should be able to enjoy their preferred model of political organisation—in their own homeland.