More than 67% of the population lives in countries where they are denied the right to practice their faith. That amounts to almost 7 out of every 10 people. One of the main causes is the rise of jihadism.
This is a finding stressed in the latest report from the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need, which, among other things, gives a voice to religious persecution around the world.
The report identifies 25 countries experiencing this serious situation, and in 15 of them, the main reason for this harassment is jihadist terrorism.
The problem: these groups are increasingly present in more territories…
MARÍA LOZANO
Press Chief, ACN International
Now, what we are seeing is that these jihadist groups are gaining ground over large geographic areas, and are even exerting political and social control over parts of these countries… They become a force, like a state within the state, with their own laws and categories. In some of these areas, people have to pay taxes just to continue practicing their faith or simply to live there in peace.
They take advantage of the vulnerability of these countries due to unstable governments. The clearest example is the Sahel countries in Africa. Today, they are an epicenter of jihadist violence.
MARÍA LOZANO
Press Chief, ACN International
Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali of course, and part of Nigeria are also affected by this… it’s impunity, a lack of action. Governments are sometimes weak or influenced by external political forces, leaving them very vulnerable and unable to respond.
These groups always operate in the same way. First, they attack all military and authority forces; once they undermine the country’s security, they begin to infiltrate the social and religious spheres. This has also happened in Mozambique…
MARÍA LOZANO
Press Chief, ACN International
The government doesn’t have much influence, the population was very poor, and we see how this becomes a fertile ground where it is very easy for them to establish their bases and grow, eventually creating a state within the state, outside government control.
To make the world aware of this situation, ACN is working on the first declaration on religious freedom.
For an entire year, the foundation will collect as many signatures as possible to deliver this document in November 2026, coinciding with its famous 'Red Week' campaign.
Various institutions will receive it, and it will then be in their hands to work on safeguarding this fundamental right.
AT
Trans. CRT
