Page 3 - Persecution Trends Report 2025

‘Already restrictions are increasing,
with some Christians barred from doing
business, travelling on public transport
or even drawing water from village
wells.’
It is feared that there will be more
arrests and imprisonments, more
Christians being displaced from their
homes and even martyrdom.
Another partner suggests Christians
may face restrictions on certain
foods, while pointing to reports it
had received that the Government
‘may soon declare Sunday a working
day, affecting church attendance and
worship’.
Since it took control in 2021 the Taliban has
imposed more restrictions on Afghans
AFGHANISTAN
Christians are facing growing
persecution in Afghanistan because,
since the Taliban took over in 2021,
they have been imposing Sharia
(Islamic law) in greater areas of life,
said our partners.
‘Christians face … social, economic,
religious and physical persecution.
Lots of Afghans are fleeing to Pakistan,
Iran and other countries, because
they are afraid that, as soon as their
Christian faith is disclosed, they might
be persecuted or killed.
‘According to [the Taliban’s] Sharia,
conversion to any other religion is an
offence, punishable by death.’
As a result, any Christian who shares
their faith with a neighbour could face
serious consequences.
Our partners said: ‘In our region in
2025, we expect to see more arrests
and imprisonments, more Christians
martyred for their faith [or] being
either displaced or forced to flee their
homes.’
SRI LANKA
While physical attacks on Christians
in Sri Lanka are declining, legal
restrictions are on the rise and
intensifying, said our partner.
‘In the coming year, Christians are likely
to face heightened challenges stemming
from restrictive laws and regulations,
particularly those enforcing mandatory
registration for churches. Based on
current trends, these legal measures are
expected to increasingly hinder church
activities, making it harder for smaller,
3
independent churches to gather and
operate openly.’
It anticipates a rise in church
closures, as authorities impose legal
restrictions, such as mandatory
registration, to curtail Christian
gatherings and activities.
‘Additionally, Hindu extremist groups
are gaining influence in the northern,
eastern and central provinces,
primarily targeting Christian
evangelistic work under the pretext of
opposing conversions. These groups
have been systematically campaigning
against Christian outreach efforts,
often in collaboration with extremist
Buddhist monks who also view
conversions as a threat.’
It added: ‘Legal restrictions have
proven highly effective in curbing
church activities. These measures tend
to draw less public attention despite
their substantial impact, making them
the preferred tool of suppression.’
In 2024, our partner documented
42 incidents of religious liberty
violations against Christians,
predominantly involving threats,
intimidation, coercion and
discrimination. Additionally, incidents
of property damage, online hate
campaigns and physical violence
were reported. The main perpetrators
included local state officials, Buddhist
monks and extremist Hindu groups.
PAKISTAN
Persecution in Pakistan is increasing
gradually, said one of our partners. Or,
as another described it, ‘it’s increasing
day by day’, not helped by the conflict
in the Middle East. Christians are
seen by many in Pakistan as pro-
Israeli so ‘they want to take revenge
by killing Christians in Pakistan’.
At the same time instability in the
Government during the past five
years has allowed extremism to grow.
‘As Christians, we always have to be
mindful of how someone may perceive
our message when we are talking
[about Christ].’
They said that, due to the rise of
extremist religious political parties,
there had been an increase in hatred
towards Christians. ‘If someone gets to