Christians in Laos face many hardships as they live in poor and isolated rural communities. Many Christian families struggle with poverty, lack of education, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and basic needs. Because they are religious minorities, some believers also face pressure, discrimination, and rejection from local authorities or communities because of their faith [...]
Brunei has introduced a stricter Islamic legal system called the Syariah Penal Code, which has changed how some crimes are punished. The government planned to apply it in stages, starting with minor offences and later moving to more serious punishments. The first stage included fines and short prison terms, such as for not fasting during [...]
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom says Tajikistan should again be named a country of particular concern for serious violations of religious freedom. The report focuses strongly on Tajikistan and explains that the government keeps tight control over religious life. The report says authorities often target independent Muslims who do not follow the state’s [...]
The issue of foreign Christians being expelled from Türkiye has drawn attention from international organizations and human rights groups. Since 2020, more than 200 foreign Christian workers have been removed from the country, affecting around 350 people in total. Many of those expelled were church leaders who had lived in Türkiye for many years and [...]
A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that Morocco is one of the least religiously diverse countries in the world. Almost the entire population is Muslim, and very few people follow other religions. This includes Morocco’s provinces in Western Sahara, where Islam also dominates. The study used a “Religious Diversity Index” (RDI) to [...]
Gebremedhin Gebregergis, an Eritrean Orthodox priest, has been imprisoned for more than twenty years in Eritrea without any charge or trial. He was arrested on 19 November 2004 together with two other Christians. Since then, they have been held at the Central Criminal Investigation Centre in Wengel Mermera, a prison known for harsh conditions. Reports [...]
The recent Criminal Procedure Regulation approved by the Taliban leader has raised serious concerns about human rights in Afghanistan. A new legal analysis warns that the rules may increase discrimination, especially against women and girls. The regulation says domestic violence is only a crime if a woman has broken bones or visible injuries, which may [...]
Christian missionaries say they are being unfairly banned from entering Türkiye, even after living there legally for many years. Since 2019, authorities have marked some Christians with security codes like “N-82” and “G-87,” which are usually used for terrorism suspects. Many missionaries say they have no criminal record and were peacefully serving local churches, teaching, [...]
In Saudi Arabia, Christians face extreme persecution. All citizens are considered Muslims, and Islamic law is observed. Apostasy from Islam is illegal and can lead to the death penalty, although there have been no executions in recent years. The construction of churches is banned, and thus, converts must practice their faith in secret. If discovered, [...]
North Korea is one of the most oppressive states in the world, and it continued its repression in 2025. The state had strict regulations about various aspects of the lives of citizens. The censuring, surveillance, and control of markets had become stricter. The citizens lacked food and had to bear the high cost of even the [...]