Page 5 - Persecution Trends Report 2025

Stock photo
Rural Christian communities are particularly vulnerable to attack in Burkina Faso
And this persecution of Christians is
increasing, according to the analysis
of many sources and trends observed
in the region. The rise is mainly due to
the growing power of jihadists active
in the immediate, sub-Saharan belt
across Africa known as the Sahel, who
directly target Christian communities.
Rural areas, where Christians are often
minorities, are particularly vulnerable.
In addition, the deterioration in
infrastructure and the growing inability
of the state to provide security in these
regions exacerbate the problem. It is
feared that, without more intervention,
the pressure on Christians will only
increase in the years ahead. The
strengthening of these armed extremist
groups and the political instability
render the protection of Christians
more difficult.
Jihadists seek not only to control the
territory, but also to eradicate non-
Islamic religious practices, particularly
Christianity.
This means that multiple pressures are
looming for Christians in 2025. The
extremists’ violence is likely to continue
– and may intensify in the north, east,
Sahel and Boucle (central west) regions
– leading to the forced displacement of
increasing numbers to camps in urban
areas where they may be isolated
and without access to a stable means
of livelihood. According to multiple
sources, the number of internally
displaced persons (IDPs) continues to
increase each year, in particular among
rural Christian communities.
This climate of fear and economic
marginalisation will put Christians’
means of survival to the test and may
continue to restrain their freedom to
practise their beliefs.
ERITREA
Our partner, Dr Berhane Asmelash of
Release Eritrea, said that persecution
intensified in 2024 and unless the
Eritrean Government changed its
policy in 2025, which was unlikely,
more Christians would be arrested and
mistreated.
‘We believe it is a desperate attempt to
control the growth of the evangelical
population in the country. During the
past 20 years the number has grown
exponentially in spite of the harsh
treatment of Christians.
‘We are expecting more arrests and
severe punishment and torture of
Christians. The prison food is inedible
but food and medicine are not officially
allowed to be taken to Christian
Berhane Asmelash
prisoners. That is the reason many
Christians die inside the prison.’
Dr Asmelash said the total number of
believers in prison was more than 400;
half of these had been arrested during
the past two years. ‘If the current trend
continues as it is now, we are expecting
more arrests and possible martyrdom.’
He said that many of the recently
arrested Christians were families
that included children and nursing
mothers. ‘About 56 of them have been
taken to labour camps on government
farms in western Eritrea. For many it is
their second or third time of arrest.’
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