Aid to the Church in Need has issued its freedom of religion report, which monitors countries around the world.
The United States, Ireland, Poland and Argentina are listed among the most tolerant nations. Among the worst offenders are Iraq, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Libya.
PETER SEFTON-WILLIAMS
Aid to the Church in Need
'Unfortunately the impression that we've perceived in the last two years, that the situation has gone worst is true. In the last two years there has been a serious decline in religious freedom and religious tolerance across the world.â?
According to the report, religious persecution is a problem in 60 percent of the world, which breaks down to 116 of the 196 listed countries.
In 14 countries, religious persecution is linked to Muslim extremism. Most of these countries are in the Middle East, where Christians are highly persecuted, forcing many of them to flee from their homes and become refugees.
Iraqi activist Pascale Warda, says that despite the current attention on ISIS, the persecution of Christians has been a problem, long before the arrival of these Muslim extremists.
PASCALE WARDA
Former Iraqi Minister of Immigration and Refugees
'We have to resolve this problem. To resolve the problem and taking people outside the country is not resolving it, believe me. Many people don't like to leave their country, they don't like to leave their properties. I very strongly said in Washington, that we are in an ongoing genocide since ISIS time- yes. But it's not only this. Since 1950 we are on a ongoing genocide.â?
In another six countries, Christian persecution is carried out by totalitarian regimes, like China, North Korea, Burma, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Eritrea.
Even though Christians are by far the most persecuted, Aid to the Church in Need, says they are not alone. Buddhists in China are often targets. Also Muslim minority groups are persecuted by other Muslim denominations.
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