Page 4 - Persecution Trends Report 2025

know about a Christian’s faith identity,
they immediately start mistreating
them.’
They expect many Christians to suffer
in the coming year. ‘Currently there is a
trend of killing the accused before their
arrest because people have become
their own law enforcers. Due to this,
many Christian families are constantly
trying to flee their homes and migrate
to safer areas, but they are always in
danger.’
‘The mere accusation of
blasphemy can put you at
risk of physical harm’
They said that as a result of the rise
of religious political parties, more
people were becoming passionate
about taking someone else’s life in the
name of religion. Younger people were
being radicalised at madrasas (Islamic
schools), while militants were getting
trained in how to file complaints
against Christians.
‘Young Muslims are being taught and
trained as extremists. This ideology
is increasing hatred, discrimination
and persecution against Christians in
Pakistan.’
In 2024, religious minorities,
especially Christians, continued to
face persecution in various forms –
social, political and religious – ranging
from blasphemy accusations and
forced conversions to mob killings
and destruction of places of worship.
Christians also faced discrimination in
education and in employment.
Our partner said that believers were
living with the fear of being accused
of blasphemy. ‘All Christians at work,
schools, offices, churches and even at
home are not safe. They are scared of
false accusations at any time by anyone.
The mere accusation of blasphemy can
put you at risk of physical harm.’
Moreover, there have been multiple
cases of abduction, forced conversion,
sexual abuse and religious
discrimination.
Our partners, who have helped to
defuse tensions in local communities,
thereby potentially saving many
lives, fear that in 2025 Christians
will continue to be falsely accused of
blasphemy (sometimes to destroy a
Christian’s business) and forced to
flee. The rise of extremism will lead to
more arrests and imprisonments and
even martyrdom.
‘If this mob culture is not [dealt
with], we are likely to face more cases
of false blasphemy, mob lynching,
discrimination and forced conversions,’
said our partners.
BURKINA
FASO
ERITREA
NIGERIA
Armed Fulani herdsmen have terrorised Christian
communities
AFRICAreportedly killed in 2023 alone because
of their faith.
‘And over four million refugees, mostly
Christian farmers, have been displaced
due to violence (ADF International,
2024). Christians in Nigeria are
to expect more violence, death,
kidnappings and displacement in 2025.’
Stefanos pointed to the
implementation of Sharia (Islamic
law) by 12 northern states, which had
resulted in a ‘huge number of Christians
experiencing threats, intimidation,
marginalisation and discrimination
almost daily’.
It said Christians were likely to
experience more discrimination in
employment, education and access
to resources especially in northern
Nigeria.
‘Christians may face targeted violence
and death from terrorist groups, forced
marriages and coerced conversion of
Christians especially women, teenage
girls and children. Those who survive
attacks may end up displaced and
severely impoverished.’
BURKINA FASO
In 2024 Christians suffered many
forms of persecution, notably violent
attacks from armed groups, death
threats and forced expulsion from
their villages.
According to local NGOs and the
Observatory for Religious Freedom in
Africa, approximately 25 per cent of
attacks in the northern and eastern
regions of the country specifically
targeted Christian communities,
causing the displacement of thousands
of people.
NIGERIA
The violent persecution of Christians
in Nigeria is on the rise and looks
set to continue into 2025, said our
partners, Stefanos Foundation.
Radicalised Fulani herdsmen are ‘on
the rampage, killing Christians and
over-running their communities in
order to grab their land with impunity,
especially in the middle belt of Nigeria’,
it said.
‘The rise in the number of Islamic
extremist groups operating in Nigeria
like Boko Haram, Islamic State West
Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani
militant herdsmen and Fulani bandit
sects has led to unprecedented violence
against Christians. They have been
operating unhindered and gaining more
territories not only in northern Nigeria
but also in the southern region.’
Stefanos expects this trend to continue
in 2025.
‘Nigeria has been recognised as one
of the most dangerous places to be a
Christian with over 8,000 Christians
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