In Europe, Christians do not face the same type of persecution as Christians in the Middle East or Nicaragua. However, the situation for European Christians has worsened in the last decade. In their most recent report, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe registered an increase in hate crimes from 325 in 2018 to over 500 in 2021.
MADELEINE ENZLBERGER
Executive Director, Observatory
We did see that there were a lot of hate crimes committed against churches where people were attacked, churches were vandalized, Masses were interrupted, things like that. And this is really where you know everybody should draw the line, I would say.
They're facing more and more challenges.
The Observatory was founded in 2010 after the number of hate crimes began to rise. It records cases of religious persecution and restrictions on fundamental freedoms throughout Europe.
MADELEINE ENZLBERGER
Executive Director, Observatory
We have a strict definition of whenever one of the freedoms that is defined in the Human Rights Charter, not just in the Article 18, but mostly because, you know, it entails various freedoms, whenever that is limited or disrespected or also denied—so we also have cases like this—then it's a case for us.
Enzlberger says the Observatory uses an international criteria to recognize the cases reported. She believes that bringing awareness to the struggles many Europeans face is important for the good of the whole of society.
MADELEINE ENZLBERGER
Executive Director, Observatory
This is about, kind of like, the foundations of our democracies that are being somehow eroded. So what already happened to Christians or what could happen to Christians can also happen to other groups.
And that's something that we really also want to raise awareness about—that religion plays a vital role also in a healthy society.
By releasing their annual report, the Observatory tries to bring awareness to the intolerance and discrimination people face every day in Europe. With a greater knowledge of the situation, dialogue and tolerance can begin.
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