Countries

Afghanistan

It is illegal to be anything other than a Muslim in Afghanistan, a tribal society where leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal of the tribe. Christians who are discovered may be sent to a psychiatric hospital, on the grounds that no sane person would leave Islam. Baptism is a . . . Read More

Algeria

The family is the source of greatest pressure for Christians in Algeria, most of whom are converts from Muslim backgrounds. Pressure also comes from the law. A 2006 law, forbidding public assembly for purposes of practising a faith other than Islam, has created a more restrictive environment for Christians. This . . . Read More

Argentina

Argentina is a federal republic with a government structure similar to many Western democracies, but with a turbulent history of episodic military rule and brutal repression of leftist movements. The population is overwhelmingly Catholic, but Evangelical communities are growing and a 2015 law gives non-Catholic groups many of the same . . . Read More

Azerbaijan

Open Doors describes the oil-rich former Soviet republic as “the country with the most sophisticated and intelligent dictatorship”. Religious freedom is enshrined in the Constitution, but constrained by the regular tightening of policies and regulations governing religious activity. Successive rounds of re-registration have diminished the number of qualified Baptist Union . . . Read More

Bahrain

This tiny, mainly Shia country is relatively tolerant, compared to many of its Arab neighbours, and its Constitution provides for religious freedom. A large number of expatriate Christians work and live in Bahrain and are relatively free to practise their faith in private, but evangelising Muslims is illegal. Christians from a Muslim . . . Read More

Bangladesh

As the number of Christians from a Muslim background is growing, they face restrictions and difficulties with radical Islamic groups, local religious leaders, and families. There are fatwas implemented all over the country, especially in rural areas, and demands to introduce Sharia (Islamic law) to show the country belongs to . . . Read More

Belarus

The constitution of Belarus guarantees religious freedom, but the reality is different. Although there is no state church, the Belarus Orthodox Church has privileged status. There is a sizeable Catholic minority, but Protestant denominations endure government pressure because of perceived links to the West. Legislation makes it difficult for “non-traditional” . . . Read More

Bhutan

Pressure on Christians in Bhutan has increased significantly in recent years, both from the government and society. Though a secular state, constitutionally Bhutan’s “spiritual heritage” is Buddhist. Christians lack any formal status and recognition – many do not have National ID Cards – and have been arrested for distributing religious . . . Read More

Bolivia

Landlocked and poor, Bolivia has the largest indigenous population in Latin America. Like many other constitutionally secular countries that promise religious freedom, Bolivia’s underlying laws and regulations restrict church activity. A new constitution in 2008 eliminated the Roman Catholic Church’s official preferential standing in the country. The subsequent church-registration law, . . . Read More

Brunei

As Brunei’s sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, encourages Islamisation throughout society, pressure on Christians increases. The third stage of Sharia, or Islamic law, came into effect April 1, 2019. Attendance at Muslim prayers is mandatory for all, including converts to Christianity. This latest stage will affect every Muslim who converts from Islam to . . . Read More