North Korea, Iran Top Persecution List
“Are Christians being sent to jail, labor camps, and psychiatric hospitals because of their faith?”
“Do they have the freedom to print and distribute Christian literature?”
“Are their meeting places and homes attacked because of religious hatred?”
Once a year, Open Doors learns the answers to these and 47 other questions as they compile our international World Watch List of countries where Christians are most likely to be persecuted for their faith.
The list is topped again by North Korea for the eighth year in a row, with Iran moving up into second place.
Each country on the list is home to thousands, if not millions, of Christians who are brutally attacked, forced out of jobs, isolated, and made homeless, imprisoned, tortured or even killed— just for believing in Jesus Christ.
North Korea: Dictator Clamps Down as Economy Crumbles
Open Doors reports that Christians are paying a high price in brutal campaigns by Kim Jong-Il to stimulate the North Korean economy. In September, the Communist leader announced a “100-day battle” equivalent to forced labor for virtually all North Koreans. Earlier in 2009, a similar crackdown called the “150-day battle” was praised in an official statement as “a noble achievement brought about by the steel-like will and mature and refined leadership of the respected and beloved Comrade.”
Behind the rhetoric, more than 40,000 believers have been interned in labor camps. Virtually every citizen is required to work to keep the state running. Food shortages are severe in many areas, and the North Korean agricultural ministry recently announced that 2010 will bring even worse shortages. Reports have been made that some families are eating acorns to survive.
“People don’t get the opportunity to keep themselves alive,” said one Christian. “In Hwangae province, it’s normal again to see children lying dead on the street.”
This has a major and ongoing impact on the work of Open Doors and other missionaries. During these economic “battle” periods, everyone’s movements are monitored and restricted. Christians who are already severely persecuted must keep an even lower profile because anyone found on the street without a reason is sent to a labor camp. Virtually every citizen must work for the state so people illegally trade at night to survive, and still report to work the next morning.
“During these clampdowns, it is much harder to spread Bibles, Christian books, food, medicines, and other emergency goods among the Christians,” says 'Simon,' a Christian worker whose real name we can’t reveal. Simon explains that when the most recent “100 day battle” was announced, “The North Korean Christians held a secret prayer meeting. They came to the conclusion that it was important not to avoid danger. The local Christians wanted to continue with our projects. We agreed.”
He goes on to say, “North Korean Christians are very brave. Secretly they share their faith with others. They also support other North Koreans, Christians and non-Christians with practical help. We know of a woman who doesn’t have enough food herself and still puts aside some food for people who need it even more.”
North Korean believers have asked us to pray, not for their safety, but for their continued strength, boldness, and outreach to the poor.
Iran—Christian Converts Oppressed
According to Open Doors, Iran is a country where Christians are a recognized minority and are guaranteed religious freedom. Yet they are second on the Open Doors World Watch List? The reason is that most believers in Iran are free only to be silent and invisible. If they are not, they are targeted. Believers in the growingly anti-Christian and anti-Western country report imprisonment, harassment, physical abuse and discrimination.
Churches are constantly monitored by secret police. Christians find it extremely difficult to find employment, and are easily fired. They are banned from ministering to Muslims in Farsi, the official language. Most house church members meet in secret to avoid the gaze of authorities, militant Islamists, informers and religious vigilantes.
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