Christian persecution increased most in Sudan, Nigeria

Open Doors' 2012 World Watch List ranks countries where Christians suffered in 2011

ASSIST News Service 

Sudan and northern Nigeria saw steeper increases in persecution against Christians than 48 other nations where Christians suffered abuse last year, according to an annual ranking by Christian support organization Open Doors.

According to a story by Compass Direct News (CDN), Sudan – where northern Christians experienced greater vulnerability after southern Sudan seceded in a July referendum, and where Christians were targeted amid isolated military conflicts – jumped 19 places last year from its 2010 ranking, from 35th to 16th, according to Open Doors' 2012 World Watch List.

In northern Nigeria, CDN reported, a rash of Islamist bombings, guerrilla-style attacks and increased government restrictions on Christians contributed to the region leaping by 10 on the list, from 23rd to 13th place.

“Nigeria continues to be the country where the worst atrocities in terms of loss of life occur, with over 300 Christians losing their lives this year, though the true number is thought to be far higher,” according to the Open Doors report. It noted that the Islamic extremist Boko Haram became increasingly violent across the reporting period through most of 2011.

CDN said as it has the previous nine years, North Korea topped the list as the country where Christians are most persecuted, with a persecution index of 88.

The persecution index for three other countries rose by at least five points – Egypt from 47.5 to 53.5, Ethiopia from 30 to 36, and Indonesia from 26.5 to 31.5. 

CDN said most of the countries on the list, 38 out of 50, have an Islamic majority - including nine of the top 10.

For more information about Compass Direct news go to www.compassdirect.org