The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted as the foundation of the United Nations organization on December 10, 1948. It is shared today by the 191 member nations. Article 18 of the Declaration states:

All people have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. In reality, however, what is the status of this religious freedom across our vast world?

Algeria

Often seen as foreigners, most Algerian Christians are indeed foreign born. With the rise in fundamentalist Islam early in 2008, the Algerian press was accused of fomenting intolerance by giving excessive importance to stories of Muslims who had converted to Christianity

In May of 2007, local authorities invited all Catholics present to leave Algeria.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia rejects the very principle of religious freedom. The kingdom claims to be integrally Islamic; it considers the Koran to be the country's only constitution and the Sharia as its fundamental law. Any expression of non-Muslim faith, such as possessing a Bible, wearing a crucifix or praying in public, is forbidden.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Even if religious freedom is enshrined in the Constitution of 1995, some alarming cases of discrimination and violence have been reported. Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Serbs have all witnessed cases of aggression and religious intolerance.

Over the course of 2007, the Catholic Church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as Protestant and Muslim communities were all victims of attacks and vandalism.

Bangladesh

In 2007 and 2008, Christians and other minority groups were alarmed by a dramatic increase in the activity of extremists. According to reports, Christians no longer enjoy protection, in spite of a Constitution that considers freedom of religion a priority. Extremist groups pressure Christians to convert by sometimes threatening them with violence.

North Korea

The communist regime of Kim Jong-ll claims that the country enjoys religious freedom. In reality, the situation is very different: the communist government demands that the faithful join organizations controlled by the Party.

Cuba

Almost 50 years after Fidel Castro's seizure of power, strict control over religious activities is beginning to ease. The moment when Fidel officially handed over power to Raul coincided with the visit of the Vatican's secretary of state to Cuba. This trip awakened the population to the hope of a new springtime for religious life and practice.

Egypt

The rise of an extremist Islamic movement has increased the pressure on Egypt's Christians. This country has the largest Christian population in the Middle East, more than four million. Despite their numbers, Christians, especially Orthodox Copts, have now been reduced to the status of second class citizens.

India

At the end of 2007, in the state of Orissa, Christmas celebrations were interrupted suddenly when fanatical Hindus went wild. They attacked 70 churches and other Christian institutions; 500 houses belonging to Christians were destroyed. This attack sounded the alarm about the critical situation of Christians in certain parts of the country.

Irak

The kidnapping and death of Archbishop P.F. Rahho, early in 2008, shocked the world and forced it to recognize one of the aspects of the Iraqi crisis about which nothing had been said until that time: the Church is currently undergoing a wave of persecution. Assaults against Iraqi Christians have become as bloody as they are unrelenting.

Iran

Sparking widening concern in the international community, President Ahmadinejad has started to propagate revolutionary ideas in his country, the most powerful Chi'ite Muslim country in the world. Little by little, the State has adopted a rigid approach and an intransigent vision of Islam, which is exerting growing pressure on minority groups.

Lebanon

Article 9 of Lebanon's constitution guarantees the respect of all religions and ensures their autonomy over questions like marriage and inheritance. The various religious groups are represented in Parliament according to fixed quotas: the President of the Republic is always a Maronite Catholic, the President of the Council of Ministers is a Sunnite Muslim and the Orator of the Parliament must be a Shiite Muslim. Lebanon has for a long time been considered the best Middle Eastern country in terms of religious freedom.

Nigeria

The victory of Umaru Yar'Adua in the presidential elections of April 2007 could turn out to be crucial in determining the outcome of the religious tensions that have lasted for so long in Nigeria. As president, the Muslim Yar'Adua swore to respect the commitment of his predecessor in ensuring social and religious cohesion. Still, there is no sign that past tensions will disappear.

Pakistan

In December 2007, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto temporarily united the country in mourning: Msgr. Joseph Coutts observed unprecedented levels of cooperation between Christians and Muslims. For many Christians, Bhutto and her Party represented a promise of equal rights. Over the past several years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of attacks against religious minorities in the country.

Russia

The predominant Russian Orthodox Church still resists the presence of other Christian communities in Russia. Its icy attitude towards the Catholic Church, however, has begun to thaw thanks to certain circumstances that have drawn the two Churches together.

Vietnam

A new law on religions, which came into effect in February 2007, considers the different confessions in the country as social forces which can and must contribute to its progress, under the umbrella of the Communist Party.

Zimbabwe

The amended constitution of 2000 granted broad freedom of religion. In practice, however, this right has not always been respected. The government has continued to harass and intimidate religious leaders who denounce human rights abuses perpetrated by public powers.

Persecuted and Forgotten – ACN (Aid to the Church in Need)Report on Christians oppressed for their faith 2007/2008
(Illustration: report cover)