SW News: A report from a British Christian rights outfit has said that persecution believers in several Asian nations will witness a spurt in persecution because of the political and hardline religious views. Release International (RI) has released its “Persecution Trends 2023” which predicts a rise in religious oppression.
According to RI’s report, China, North Korea, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are some of the nations where    Christians are going to face a spurt in persecution in more ways than one this year. One of the main highlights of the report is the enhanced control of President Xi Jinping of China on the Christian community by branding them as “unpatriotic” whenever issuing official statements or messages. This accounts for the rise in arrests and closure of churches last year, which is expected to continue this year too.

The report says, “Christianity is being pictured as unacceptable to an atheistic, communist country, rather than an acceptable but minority belief.” It also points out the several incidents of Christian faith leaders and community heads being detained, arrested or asked to report for interrogation with regard to their activities in the communist nation.

As per the report, the number of believers who are facing oppression under various charges such as being part of a cult, engaging in illicit financial deals is also on the rise and will be the case this year. The communist government has issued a strong message to teachers, parents and the youth that religion is detrimental to education and anyone found engaging in religious activities ought to be reported to the authorities concerned.

The situation of Christians is pathetic in North Korea, which is a staunch ally of China. According to Andrew Boyd, Public Affairs Officer of Release International says, “North Korea is perhaps the most severe persecutor of Christians in the world today.”

The report says the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un is branding Christianity as a weapon of Western nations to colonize other countries. It has mass propaganda against the so-called dangers of missionaries, Bibles and priests. It also points out the efforts of Beijing to crack the whip on North Korean Christians who have sought refuge in China. Under the guise of enforcing pandemic protocols, the communist authorities take them for interrogation based on their church activities, missionary endeavors and Bible supply.

The situation is no different for Christians in Pakistan as they face “frequent attacks and threats, including blasphemy charges, targeted killings, mob violence, forced conversions and destruction of worship places and graves,” says the report. It also says that many believers in Afghanistan have either left the country or have sought refuge in Pakistan or Iran. The rest of the converts to Christianity are leading a clandestine existence in the Taliban-ruled country where renouncing Islam is punishable by death.

Both the Malaysian and Iranian governments are tightening curbs on Christian believers as they face more restrictions and hardships.

“[Christian] Persecution has been on the increase in recent years. 2023 looks set to continue that trend,” stated Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International.