The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has just released a new study that shows a worrying trend: the most countries in recorded history are persecuting Christians and other religious groups. The results show that millions of people around the world are presently in jail, being hurt, or even killed just for following their faith.
The 2025 USCIRF Annual Report portrays a grim picture of a world where religious freedom is becoming more and more at risk. The research says that in other places, public worship has become dangerous. For example, in China, the government forces people to follow the same religion, and in Nigeria, there is a lot of sectarian violence.
Lawmakers Want a Stronger Response to Foreign Policy
After reading the study, U.S. politicians are calling for a review of the country's foreign policy. They say that ongoing breaches of religious freedom in other countries hurt global stability and put democratic norms at risk in the long run.At a USCIRF hearing in January, Representative Mark Alford (R-Missouri) made it clear that freedom of religion is a basic human right that applies to everyone, not just some cultures. He said that those who care about freedom everywhere should be worried about abuses anywhere.
Almost 30 Countries Marked for Systematic Abuse
The report highlights over 30 countries where members of many religions, including Christians, are consistently targeted. Of these:- 16 states are recognized as Countries of Particular Concern
- 12 nations are placed on a Special Watch List
Nigeria: Epicenter of Deadly Religious Violence
Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous areas for religious communities. USCIRF reports that over 80% of religion-based killings worldwide in 2024 occurred in Nigeria.Humanitarian advocate Rebecca Dali, founder of the Center for Caring, Empowering and Peace Initiatives and a former Boko Haram captive, testified about the continued bloodshed. She noted that Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers alike are victims and stressed that sustaining peace required togetherness rather than retribution.
China’s High-Tech Suppression of Christianity
In China, persecution has acquired a more organized and technological shape. Authorities continue pursuing the official strategy known as “Sinicization of religion,” which tries to align religious practice with Communist Party doctrine.Grace Drexel, daughter of incarcerated Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, revealed tactics like as removing church crosses, replacing hymns with party tunes, rewriting sermons, and installing monitoring devices within churches. She warned that even Christians who left China are sometimes pursued and tormented abroad.
Middle East: Violence Amid Weak Governance
In countries like Syria and Iran, the entire magnitude of religious persecution is impossible to determine due to instability and limited access. Following Syria’s disintegration of centralized authority, estimates imply that more than 1,300 people have killed in sectarian violence, however experts believe the true figure may be higher.Advocates stress that persecution in these places frequently results from inadequate rule of law rather than direct government action, leaving minorities vulnerable to extreme groups.
Millions Affected Worldwide
According to Open Doors, a Christian advocacy organization active in over 70 countries, an estimated 388 million Christians currently endure high levels of persecution or discrimination—an increase of 8 million over the previous year.Ryan Brown, the group’s advocacy director, underlined the importance of worldwide prayer and awareness, noting that many imprisoned believers find courage in knowing they are not forgotten.