The 2024 World Watch List revealed on Wednesday by the Open Doors Christian charity, reported an intensification in the worldwide persecution of Christians, Breitbart reported.
The report sheds light on the challenges faced by more than 365 million Christians worldwide, with 1 in 7 enduring "high levels" of persecution and discrimination solely due to their faith.
Throughout 2023, 4,998 Christians lost their lives in connection with practicing their faith, according to the WWL findings. The report shows a surge in attacks on the homes of Christians by 371% from 2022 to 2023, reaching 21,431 incidents. Similarly, assaults on churches, Christian schools, and hospitals experienced a sevenfold increase, from 2,110 in 2022 to 14,766 in 2023.
The toll extends beyond fatalities, with 42,849 Christians facing physical violence or death threats with 278,716 being forcibly displaced from their homes or compelled to live underground. This marks a doubling of figures from the previous year.
At the pinnacle of the WWL, which identifies the 50 most perilous countries for Christians, North Korea claims the top spot once again. The totalitarian regime, officially atheist and ruled by communism, exhibits particular hostility toward Christians, according to the report. It underscores that being identified as a Christian in North Korea is tantamount to a death sentence, with individuals either executed on the spot or deported to labor camps where survival is unexpected.
In North Korea, the Christian community grapples with an absence of freedom, making it nearly impossible for believers to assemble or worship. Possessing a Bible is a grave offense, resulting in punishment. The report estimates tens of thousands of Christians endure harsh conditions in labor camps across the country.
A pattern emerges in the list of countries where it is most perilous to be a Christian, with 9 out of the top 10 having Muslim majorities. Radical Islam, the report notes, remains the most potent driver of Christian persecution globally.
Somalia claims the second spot, experiencing a surge in anti-Christian violence, particularly targeted at Christian leaders. Al-Shabaab, a militant Muslim terror group headquartered in Somalia, expresses its intent to eradicate Christians, often resorting to immediate executions upon discovery, the report indicates.
Libya is in third place on the 2024 WWL, primarily due to increased pressure and violence against Christians. Sub-Saharan African Christians seeking refuge in Libya while attempting to reach Europe face heightened risks, including kidnapping and trafficking, due to their lack of official status.