A forthcoming report from the International Christian Concern highlights the 10 worst countries for Christian persecution, as well as specific entities and individuals that are driving this persecution.
The report, titled “Persecutors of the Year”, will be released today. Fox News Digital received an advance copy of the report.
The countries that are identified as the worst for Christian persecution are Nigeria, North Korea, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Eritrea, Algeria, Indonesia and Azerbaijan.
New to the list this year are Eritrea — a northeast African country — and Azerbaijan.
Jeff King, ICC‘s president, told Fox News Digital that Christian persecution is “a mostly hidden subject. People know it exists, but it’s so complicated.”
The report is the culmination of a “massive effort” each year to fully research the size and scope of persecution in each country.
Countries in which persecution is led or promoted by state actors, rather than cultural biases, as well as countries with incidents of violence toward Christians, are given more attention.
One country in particular concern is Nigeria. Christian persecution is on the rise there and often results in death.
During the four-month period between March 4 and July 6, more than 500 Christians were murdered in 55 separate attacks in Nigeria, said the ICC.
One of the main goals of the report each year is to spread awareness that Christian persecution is actually happening — and that being a Christian is extremely dangerous in some countries.