{"id":58398,"date":"2025-01-16T17:37:10","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T16:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=58398"},"modified":"2026-01-16T02:20:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T01:20:47","slug":"three-countries-that-persecute-christians-are-members-of-the-un-human-rights-committee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2025\/01\/16\/three-countries-that-persecute-christians-are-members-of-the-un-human-rights-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"Three countries that persecute Christians are members of the UN Human Rights Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, the NGO Open Doors published a new report on the 50 countries where Christians suffer the highest levels of persecution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 50 countries that most persecute Christians in 2025 and the role of communism and islamism<\/a><\/rel>
\nFollowing antisemitic violence in Amsterdam, UN chief condemns 'anti-Muslim bigotry'<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

If the countries on this list are compared with the current member countries of the UN Human Rights Committee<\/a>, several coincidences appear. Specifically, three countries that have very high levels of persecution against Christians<\/strong>, according to information published yesterday by Open Doors, are also members of the aforementioned Committee: Egypt, Morocco and Uzbekistan<\/strong>. These three countries are Islamic and will be members of this Committee until 2028. According to Open Doors, in these three countries two types of persecution coincide: \"Islamic oppression\" and \"dictatorial paranoia\"<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Article 18<\/strong> of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/a>, approved by the UN General Assembly in 1948, states the following:<\/p>\n

\"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion<\/strong>; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief<\/strong> in teaching, practice, worship and observance.\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Morocco<\/big2><\/p>\n

Of the three countries cited, Morocco is the one with the most hostile attitude towards Christians<\/strong>, despite the alleged Western influence in the African nation. It is ranked 21st on the list<\/strong>, above communist dictatorships such as Laos (22), Cuba (26) and Vietnam (44). Open Doors notes<\/a> that Christians in Morocco \"must meet in house churches because they cannot gain permission or official recognition to be able to gather in public.<\/strong>\"<\/em> The NGO adds:<\/p>\n

\"Although conversion is not a punishable offence legally, converts risk being arrested and interrogated by the government<\/strong>, and the country\u2019s strong and well informed security services make it difficult for believers to express their faith. One reason for all this could be the fear of radical Muslim groups<\/strong>; by appeasing them, the authorities want to prevent any unrest.<\/p>\n

The government\u2019s paranoia explains why it is illegal to 'shake the faith of a Muslim'<\/strong>, meaning that Christians who talk about their faith risk arrest and criminal prosecution. Distribution of Christian resources in Arabic (including Bibles) is also restricted.<\/strong> Even on social media, believers must be very careful in what they post.<\/p>\n

Immigrant Christians are relatively free to meet and worship, although they are often under surveillance and risk deportation if they are found to be sharing their faith with Muslims.<\/strong>\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Uzbekistan<\/big2><\/p>\n

This Asian country is the second most persecutory of Christians out of the three that are part of the UN Human Rights Committee. It is ranked 25th on the Open Doors list<\/strong>. About this country, the Open Doors website notes<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"Uzbekistan is a former soviet state, and it's still ruled by an authoritarian government that heavily monitors the population, especially religious groups<\/strong>. A country expert shared that in one part of Uzbekistan, \u201cevery pastor and his family were surveilled by about 30 people<\/strong>. Practically every step was watched.\u201d <\/p>\n

The historic Russian Orthodox churches experience the least persecution from the government<\/strong>, but they are not permitted to share their faith with the rest of the Uzbek population. All other Christian communities face some sort of monitoring and pressure.<\/strong> Churches that are not approved of and registered by the state are often raided by the police, with people arrested, threatened and fined for having an illegal meeting.\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Egypt<\/big2><\/p>\n

This African country is ranked 40th on the Open Doors list<\/strong>. While this indicates that the situation is better than in Morocco and Uzbekistan, the reality is that Egypt has very high levels of persecution against Christians<\/strong>, as do the other two countries mentioned. Open Doors notes<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"In Egypt, Christians often face discrimination in their communities.<\/strong> Christian women are harassed on the streets, especially in rural areas, and Christian children are bullied at school. Sometimes Muslim mobs force Christians to leave their homes after accusations of blasphemy.<\/strong> These incidents mostly happen in Upper Egypt, where radical Islamist groups are active. The Salafi al-Nour party, despite being a religious party, operates legally and exerts strong influence in poor, rural areas.<\/p>\n

Egyptian President el-Sisi speaks positively about Christians and attempts to promote unity, but local authorities often fail to protect Christians from attacks.<\/strong> Building new churches is difficult in certain areas of Egypt, and Christians face hostility and violence from their communities.<\/p>\n

In addition to their communities, Christians who convert from Islam<\/strong> can also face severe pressure from their families to return to the religion. Security services detain and intimidate converts<\/strong>, making it difficult to live openly as Christians.\"<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

---<\/p>\n

Photo: United Nations Photo<\/a>.<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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