Persecution of Christians in the post–Cold War era
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Persecution of Christians in the post–Cold War era refers to the persecution of Christians from 1989 to the present. Part of a global problem of religious persecution, persecution of Christians in this era is taking place in Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Middle East.
Anti-Christian persecutions have seen an increase globally, with the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs releasing a report in 2019 highlighting this trend. According to this report, the number of countries where Christians face persecution for their faith rose to 144 in 2016. Data collected by the PEW organization between 2007 and 2017 showed that Christians experienced harassment in 144 countries, either by government forces or social groups. The United States compiles an annual report on religious freedom, detailing instances of persecution gathered from U.S. embassies worldwide, in collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Instances of persecution occur across Africa, with countries like Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, and others experiencing varying degrees of religious intolerance and violence against Christians. The Americas, Asia, and the Middle East reported significant instances of persecution, from the destruction of Christian churches in Canada to severe restrictions and violence against Christians in countries like China, North Korea, and Pakistan. The situation in the Middle East is difficult, with former Lebanese President Amine Gemayel stating in 2011 that Christians had become the target of genocide following deadly attacks in Egypt and Iraq. Overall, there has been a global increase in anti-Christian persecutions, with governments and extremist groups imposing restrictions and committing acts of violence against Christians, often under the guise of law enforcement or religious purity.