On 16 November, ACN globally launched the book Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2020–22.
The Persecuted and Forgotten? report is prepared by ACN’s UK national office. It documents the most striking developments in 24 key countries where Christians suffer persecution and discrimination, including Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan. The new edition sadly concludes that during the period under review, oppression or persecution of Christians increased in 75% of the 24 countries surveyed. Particularly Africa has seen an increase in violence.
Persecuted and Forgotten? also reports that in countries as diverse as Egypt and Pakistan, Christian girls are regularly subjected to systematic abduction and rape.
The intensification of oppression in Asia can be attributed to the rise of state authoritarianism. The situation is worst in North Korea, where religious belief and practice are routinely and systematically suppressed.
John Pontifex, one of the authors of the report, said: “Persecuted and Forgotten? provides first-hand testimonies and case studies that prove Christians experience persecution in many countries. Let us do all we can to show that they are not forgotten.”
