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Discrimination

  • Christian Families Denied Access to Basic Resources

    People are gathered at an outdoor water pump.
    People drawing water in Chhattisgarh.
    Photo: Unsplash / Wietse Jongsma

    More than 180 Christian families from 32 villages in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh have reportedly been denied access to communal water supplies and livelihood opportunities for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus.

  • Church Building Forcibly Demolished

    A large white church with a brilliant red cross atop is about to be destroyed as seen by the wrecking ball on the left side of the image.
    Yazhong Church.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In December 2025, the Yazhong Church (also referred to as the Yayang Church) was targeted during an intense government campaign, resulting in the arrests of hundreds of believers. The following month, large numbers of police surrounded the main church building in Wenzhou, setting up barricades to block any views of the worship facility. At the time of the blockage, there were also concerns that the building may potentially risk demolishment. (For more details, see this page.)

  • Almost 200 More Churches Officially Legalized!

    A brick church.
    A church in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / David Hoffman (CC)

    In 2016, legislation was passed to expedite the approval process for churches in Egypt. Prior to this, congregations that had applied for registration encountered significant opposition over the years, and the construction of new worship facilities was often delayed. Since 2017, however, the committee responsible for reviewing the applications approved an average of approximately 475 churches each year.

  • Supreme Court Denies Churches Legal Status

    People are gathered at the door of a building in a Greek Catholic parish.
    A Greek Catholic Parish.
    Photo: Katolik.life

    Churches in Belarus continue to encounter increasing pressures under a new religion law that came into effect in July 2024. The legislation requires all churches to undergo re-registration, including those that had previously been approved by the government. As a result, three Greek Catholic parishes that were originally registered in the 1990s have had their applications rejected.

  • Harsh Anti-Conversion Laws in Chhattisgarh

    A man has his Bible open and is talking to two others.
    A pastor is sharing the Gospel in India.
    Photo: VOM International

    While many Indian states have instituted laws aimed at preventing coerced or forced religious conversions, the newly passed legislation in Chhattisgarh is notably more severe. Signed into effect by the governor on April 7th, the recently implemented law replaces a 1968 statute that Christian leaders say was frequently used as a weapon against minority communities.

  • Prayer House Forcibly Closed

    A congregation is facing the stage in a small church building.
    A church in Indonesia
    Photo: VOMC

    For the second time in two years, the Tesalonika Christians Oikumene congregation in Teluknaga, Tangerang Regency, has encountered community opposition during Easter celebrations at their prayer house. The previous year, local officials sealed the building the day after Good Friday, forcing the believers to rent an alternative location in order to hold their Easter Sunday services.

  • Court Reiterates Privileges for Specified Religions

    The India Supreme Court building is surrounded by trees.
    India's Supreme Court Building
    Photo: Wikimedia / Subhashish Panigrahi (CC)

    In India, where the caste system remains deeply embedded within the framework of societal standards, those belonging to the lowest castes are classified as "scheduled castes" or "Dalits." Although historically marginalized, and often subjected to severe social discrimination, members of the lower castes receive constitutional protections and access to certain governmental benefits.

  • Pastor Faces Expulsion From His Country

    Pastor Vladimir Rytikov sits comfortably in a chair.
    Pastor Vladimir Rytikov
    Photo: Council of Churches Baptist via Forum18

    Pastor Vladimir Rytikov has lived his entire life in a region of Ukraine that is now occupied by Russian forces. Born in the city of Krasnodon (located in the Luhansk district) during 1959, he grew up in the area as a committed follower of Christ. From the years of 1979 to 1982, which encompasses the era of the former USSR, he was imprisoned because of his faith. Since becoming ordained for ministry in 1995, the Christian leader has faithfully pastored an unregistered church within his home city for more than 30 years.

  • Faith and Public Life in Light of Bill C-9

    Canada Parliament Buildings
    Canada's Parliament Buildings
    Photo: RawPixel

    On March 25th, after months of committee proceedings and deliberations in the House of Commons, Canada's governing Liberal Party has forced an end to the debate – resulting in the passage of the controversial Bill C-9. The legislation has now moved to the Senate for further consideration.

  • New Policy Restricts Travel for Clergy Members

    A man is holding out a passport for China and a card that is similar in appearance to a North American driver's license.
    A passport and travel pass in China.

    Religious rights advocates are raising serious concerns regarding the increased level of control that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is presently exerting over the Roman Catholic church in China. As a result of a 2018 agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government, state officials have already been given the authority to appoint bishops – ensuring that the church's leadership remains amenable towards the policies of the CCP.