Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Open Doors, an advocacy group, has been monitoring Christian persecution for over 60 years.

It has stated a number of facts in its assessment of global trends in persecution in its world watch list for 2017. Open Doors has noted that 2017 is the fourth year in a row in which the level of overall persecution has risen. North Korea is still the number one offender. Islamic extremism continues to strangle the expression of the Christian faith. Millions of Christians around the world now live their lives in the shadow of varying levels of discrimination, violence and unrest.

I wish to outline some of the key facts in terms of international persecution of Christians. Islamic extremism fuels persecution in 14 out of the top 20 countries and in 35 of the top 50. It is North Korea, however, that is the number one offender, as has been the case since 2002. Worldwide persecution of Christians has risen for the fourth year in a row. Asia, in particular, is showing a rapid rise. Pakistan rises to fourth on the list, with levels of violence even greater than those in northern Nigeria. As Hindu nationalists batter the churches, India has climbed to its highest ever ranking of 15th. In Bangladesh, Vietnam and tiny Bhutan, things are getting more difficult for Christians. Buddhist nationalism returns Sri Lanka to the top 50 persecutors of Christians. Sudan rises to number five as President Omar al-Bashir seeks to fulfil his 2011 boast to the effect that "Now we can impose Sharia here." Turkey rises to 37 as President Erdoğan uses the failed coup of 2016 to purge opponents and push the country towards increased Islamism. Christians continue to be caught in the crossfire of wars in the Middle East. War-torn Yemen returns to the top ten, while Christians in Syria and Iraq continue to be targeted by Islamic militants.

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