Countries

The Gambia

In 2015, then-President Yahya Jammeh declared the West African country an Islamic republic, on the grounds that Islam is the religion of most citizens. Since taking office in January 2017, The Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, has pledged reforms, including removing laws which violate freedom of religion. The government is fighting the . . . Read More

Tunisia

Two groups of Christians live under pressure in Tunisia: expatriate Christians and Christians who have converted from a Muslim background. It is the latter group that bears the brunt, often facing serious, or even violent, opposition from family members who discover their new faith. Society and culture remain anti-Christian, especially in . . . Read More

Turkey

Since the failed coup of July 2016, the level of intolerance against those not siding with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has intensified. Turkish nationalism, combined with the growing Islamisation of Turkish society, means the tiny Christian minority, and other religious minorities, face mounting pressure, which is increasingly translating into violent . . . Read More

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the world’s most restrictive countries, and pressure on Christians is extremely high. Providing the country’s “spiritual guidance”, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and his government wield control over religious institutions. Registering churches is nearly impossible, and those that defy registration risk raids, threats, arrests and fines. Even historical . . . Read More

Uganda

Once one of the UK’s most prosperous colonies, Uganda achieved independence in 1962. Ten years later, it was suffering through the murderous regime of Idi Amin. Yoweri Museveni took power in 1986 and spent much of the next 20 years contending with the atrocities waged in the north by the . . . Read More

Ukraine

Since Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014, Moscow-backed Ukrainian supporters have kidnapped, beaten and threatened Ukrainian Protestants and members of the Kiev-centred Orthodox Church, according to the US State Department. There have been numerous incidents of intimidation and violence between two branches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, one of them . . . Read More

United Arab Emirates

Christians in the UAE are either expatriates, migrants or converts to Christianity from a Muslim background. It is the last of these groups that feels the most pressure, from family, community leaders and government officials. The country is stable and wealthy, yet religious and political freedom is severely restricted. All . . . Read More

Uzbekistan

Despite the death of President Islam Karimov in 2016, Uzbekistan’s authoritarian regime continues to regard Christianity as alien and destabilising. State agencies monitor religious activities through raids, bugging homes, tapping phones, and infiltrating groups. Christian materials, if found, are confiscated, while Christians also face interrogation and detention. Muslim converts to Christianity . . . Read More

Vietnam

Violence against Christians is increasing in Vietnam, yet the Church is growing among ethnic minorities. Christians who come from a Buddhist or animist background experience the strongest pressure, both from their communities and the authorities. Christian ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards, also face fierce opposition. All Christian groups are . . . Read More

Yemen

The power vacuum created by the civil war has allowed radical Islamist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to gain significant influence. Christians have been killed and abducted – most famously Indian priest Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped in March 2016 during an attack on a . . . Read More