Global Christian Relief Red List 2025

Spotlight on Hidden Atrocities

​Striving for a Future with Even More Verified Persecution Data (Part 2)
A third hidden atrocity refers to the vast but unsubstantiated number of Hindu believers in India becoming what are called "Christ-followers." In the 21st century, reports emerged of Hindus encountering Christ as a healer and establishing house churches to follow Him, all while retaining their formal Hindu identity. There is growing evidence that Hindu hardline groups, like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), are targeting these informal gatherings.
 
The fourth type of hidden atrocity refers to displacement numbers. Some claim five million have been displaced in Nigeria due to conflict. However, organizations like the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reported that 290,000 people were displaced in 2023 due to fighting. The difficulty is that these reports often do not specify religious affiliation. Even in refugee camps, numbers are poorly kept. GCR will continue working to develop more robust figures, but there is no doubt that the number of Christians displaced for the faith particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—is far larger than we can currently count.
 
A fifth hidden atrocity involves sexual assaults and forced marriages, with Egypt, Pakistan and Sudan among the countries of greatest concern. Sadly, most incidents are never publicly reported or are documented vaguely so that verification becomes impossible.

Given the many challenges of securing reliable persecution data, Global Christian Relief is committed to enabling individuals worldwide to report acts of persecution, file police reports and provide specific details.
 
We welcome constructive criticism of our methods. Additionally, we invite a broader collaboration of information gathering to enhance our shared understanding -and ultimately drive more effective interventions for the persecuted church around the world. |
 
The 2025 Global Christian Relief Red List. Washington, D.C.