Why is the persecution of Christians on the rise ?

The increase in the persecution of Christians worldwide is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. At the beginning of 2026, reports from non-governmental organizations (such as the World Watch List of NGOs like Open Doors) confirm a steady upward trend that has been ongoing for over a decade. Here are the main factors that explain this resurgence:

The rise of religious nationalism

This is one of the most powerful driving forces today. In many countries, national identity is increasingly merged with a majority religion.

In India: Hindu nationalism often holds that « to be Indian, one must be Hindu. » Christian and Muslim minorities are then perceived as foreign influences threatening the country’s unity.

In Turkey or the Middle East: Similar rhetoric sometimes closely links citizenship to Islam, marginalizing those who practice another faith.

Authoritarianism and Digital Surveillance

Some regimes view any organization independent of the state as a potential threat to their absolute control.

Ideological Control: In China and North Korea, religious practice is either strictly regulated by the state or completely prohibited because it involves allegiance to an authority perceived as superior to the Party.

Technological Surveillance: The use of facial recognition and artificial intelligence now allows some governments to track the movements of worshippers and close « unregistered » churches with unprecedented efficiency.

The Spread of Extremism in Africa (Sahel and Nigeria)

Sub-Saharan Africa has become the epicenter of physical violence against Christians.

Jihadist Groups: Groups affiliated with the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda are expanding in the Sahel (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) and Nigeria. They target churches, schools, and Christian villages to destabilize governments and establish local caliphates.

Resource Conflicts: Religious tensions often intertwine with long-standing conflicts between herders and farmers, exacerbated by climate change and the scarcity of fertile land.

Geopolitical Instability

In war zones or areas of lawlessness, minorities are often the first targets due to a lack of state protection.

Middle East: Although the intensity of fighting has decreased compared to the previous decade, historical Christian communities continue to flee en masse for fear of a return to instability, which weakens their centuries-old presence.

Nicaragua: In Latin America, a form of political persecution is observed where the Church is targeted because it denounces the authoritarian excesses of the government.

Polarization and Disinformation

Social media acts as a catalyst. The spread of false information about religious practices or unfounded accusations of « forced proselytizing » can trigger spontaneous mob violence before the authorities can even intervene.