A report released by International Christian Concern (ICC), a watchdog group that monitors persecution, is sounding the alarm on rising persecution against Christians across the globe. The Global Persecution Index 2025 found that Christians faced the greatest persecution from Islamic extremists and authoritarians. “The world is seeing an increasing push toward oppressive control over religion, particularly Christianity, as a consequence of several modern and historical factors converging. Christians face oppression in more countries than any other faith group, with significant challenges in regions like the Middle East, Africa and Asia,” Jeff King, president of ICC, said. According to King, “Approximately 300 million Christians worldwide face persecution of all types, including imprisonment, torture, and assassination.”

Nicaraguan Christians have seen an increased amount of persecution as government hostility has increased. Hindu nationalism has also increased in India, where anti-conversion laws have gone into effect and Christians face the threat of mob violence. In places like Mali, Niger and Chad, Christians face torture and death. The trend in Nicaragua is especially concerning as it has been a Christian-majority nation in the past. “Countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela, traditionally Christian-majority nations, saw a big increase in hostility toward religious groups critical of authoritarian regimes,” King said. “The targeting of religious citizens and suppression of dissenting voices marked a new and alarming trend.”

Speaking with Fox News, King described why authoritarian regimes are particularly hostile towards Christianity. “In many authoritarian states, Christianity is seen as a proxy for Western influence and values, which regimes often reject as imperialistic or destabilizing. Christianity and other faiths emphasize allegiance to a higher moral authority, which inherently challenges authoritarian regimes that demand complete loyalty to the state,” he said. Christians came first as the most targeted religious group, followed by Muslims, and then Jews. He said political unrest and economic collapse can pave the way for more authoritarian regimes. “Economic crises, political unrest, and social inequalities create conditions where leaders seek scapegoats or distractions, often targeting religious minorities to unite the majority under their rule. Today’s regimes are drawing from this playbook as they face similar challenges to their authority. Religion, with its ability to inspire freedom, hope and resistance, is viewed as a mortal enemy to their dominance.” He called the fight for religious freedom “more urgent than ever.”