New Yearbooks Say Persecution of Christians Grew Worse in 2026 Than in 2025
Editors released two annual religious-freedom yearbooks in Berlin, naming Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Cuba as places of severe decline and warning of rising attacks on churches in Ukraine.
See where this is ›BERLIN, Germany —
Persecution of Christians around the world grew worse in 2026 than in 2025, according to two yearbooks released at a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The books, “Religious Freedom 2026” and “Persecution and Discrimination against Christians 2026,” were presented by leaders of the International Institute for Religious Freedom and the Evangelical Alliance in Germany, Christian Daily International reported.
The editors said religious freedom worldwide this year ranged from “worse” to “persistently bad” compared with earlier years. They named Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Cuba as places of severe decline. They said wars and civil wars in Ethiopia, the Middle East and elsewhere have pushed religious freedom aside, and that killings of Christians, moderate Muslims and followers of traditional religions by Islamist extremists in Africa keep spreading to new areas.
Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, president of the International Institute for Religious Freedom and the International Society for Human Rights, said, “Religious freedom faces a twofold threat worldwide: from those who trample it underfoot, and from those who seek to marginalize it in international politics.”
Johann Matthies, political representative of the Evangelical Alliance in Germany, pointed to Ukraine. Citing Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said more than 640 places of worship have been damaged or destroyed in Russia's war, and that official Ukrainian estimates put the number of clergy killed by Russian forces at no fewer than 67 by spring 2025. “Ukraine shows just how much faith can come under attack,” he said. Matthies faulted the role of the Russian Orthodox Church, said Russia presents itself in the West as a defender of Christianity, and urged Christians in Germany to speak out.
Martin Lessenthin, a human rights expert and co-editor of the yearbooks, said, “The global situation regarding religious freedom is steadily deteriorating.” He named Egypt and Cuba as human rights crises that the world often overlooks.
See where this is ›The yearbooks can be downloaded free from the International Institute for Religious Freedom's website, and print copies sell for 16 euros (about $17) through booksellers, according to Christian Daily International. Charities may ask for free sets of 10 copies.
What we don't know yet: The figures and country findings come from the yearbooks' editors and the government sources they cite. Watchman News has not independently confirmed them.
