The persecution of Christians is on the rise globally due to the convergence of contemporary and historical elements.

A recent report has shown that Christianity is facing the greatest impact due to the rise of religious intolerance, which has been increasing globally with the growth of authoritarian rule and the spread of Islamic extremism.

"According to Jeff King, president of the International Christian Concern (ICC), the world is witnessing an escalating trend of oppressive control over religion, specifically Christianity, due to a combination of modern and historical factors. Christians are facing significant challenges in various regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where they are the most oppressed faith group."

The ICC released a report titled "The Global Persecution Index 2025" on Thursday, detailing which countries are the biggest offenders in terms of religious oppression, particularly against Christian populations. The report found that the majority of religion-based persecution is carried out under authoritarian leaders and by Islamic extremist groups.

The Sahel region in Africa, which includes Mali, Niger, and Chad, has the highest concentration of "Red Zone" nations, where Christians face severe actions such as torture and death. Additionally, other countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea were identified as significantly dangerous for the Christian faith.

An increasing number of countries are tightening their grip on religion as authoritarian policies gain popularity worldwide, particularly amidst a volatile geopolitical landscape.

According to a PRC report, Christians and Muslims are the two largest religious groups in the world and experience the highest rates of harassment, both physical and verbal, among all groups, as analyzed in 2022 data.

The PRC report found that Christians are targeted more frequently by governments or social groups than any other religion, with Muslims and Jews coming in second and third, respectively. However, the ICC report was unable to provide exact rates of harassment for Christians, Muslims, or other religions.

"Authoritarian states often view Christianity as a symbol of Western influence and values, which they reject as imperialistic or destabilizing, according to King. Christianity and other faiths emphasize loyalty to a higher moral authority, which conflicts with authoritarian regimes' demand for complete state loyalty."

Oppressive policies have long been used by authoritarian regimes to control citizens' hearts and minds, but emerging technology has intensified this persecution of perceived dissidence.

While technology such as social media has enhanced freedom of speech and information access globally, the proliferation of other technologies has also facilitated authoritarian surveillance regimes, even in areas not typically associated with religious oppression, such as Latin America.

King stated that countries such as Nicaragua and Venezuela, which have traditionally been Christian-majority nations, experienced a significant increase in hostility towards religious groups that criticized authoritarian regimes. He emphasized that this new trend involved the targeting of religious citizens and the suppression of dissenting voices.

He stated that authoritarian regimes, including China, exported advanced surveillance technology to other nations, allowing for stricter control and monitoring of religious groups.

Recently, India has experienced a surge in attacks against Christians, which has led some nations to view Christianity as a threat to their cultural norms, as reported by the ICC, PRC, and the Human Rights Council.

Social media was used to incite violence and spread false information about Christian communities in countries like India and Pakistan, resulting in targeted attacks, King stated.

The global rise in violence and oppression against religious groups is a growing threat, similar to historical atrocities committed under oppressive policies.

King stated that many countries are facing democratic backsliding, with authoritarian leaders consolidating power and silencing dissent, including religious voices. He explained this phenomenon by referring to the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. King pointed out that economic crises, political unrest, and social inequalities create conditions where leaders seek scapegoats or distractions, often targeting religious minorities to unite the majority under their rule.

Religion, which has the power to motivate liberation, optimism, and opposition, is perceived as a deadly foe to their rule.

King warned that the fight for religious freedom is more urgent than ever due to technological advancements, rising nationalism, and global instability.