LONDON, England (WordNews.org) Jan. 3, 2021 — Christian persecution is expected to increase in 2021 around the world, with concerns growing in China and India, according to a forecast in Release International’s Persecution Trends survey. Release International is an inter-denominational Christian ministry based in England that works through local churches in more than 25 countries to help persecuted Christians.

“Our partners tell us that attacks are on the rise under Communism in China, Islam in Iran and Malaysia, and under militant Hinduism in India,” said Release CEO Paul Robinson. “Yet despite persecution and pandemic, we see clear evidence of the boldness, courage and trust in God of Christians under pressure around the world.”

According to the survey, persecution is “thriving” in China. Release partners, warn: ‘The government of President Xi Jinping is increasing its ‘clean up’ of anything that does not advance the communist agenda. They appear to believe that they can achieve this by systematic opposition.”

The ministry said tough new laws controlling religion have been imposed. Non-registered churches have been raided and closed in 2020, and increasing numbers of registered churches have been made to install CCTV cameras and put up posters proclaiming communist ideals and beliefs.

The survey also found China exploiting COVID-19 to tighten restrictions on underground believers.

Release International’s partners warn: ‘The government of President Xi Jinping is increasing its “clean up” of anything that does not advance the communist agenda. They appear to believe that they can achieve this by systematic opposition.’

Tough new laws controlling religion have been imposed. Non-registered churches have been raided and closed in 2020, and increasing numbers of registered churches have been made to install CCTV cameras and put up posters proclaiming communist ideals and beliefs.

‘The Chinese Government is trying every way to take advantage of the virus by increasing the crackdown against Christian churches,” said Release partner Bob Fu, of China Aid. “It has accelerated particular campaigns, such as the forced removal of crosses.”

Fu’s own work has come under direct pressure as a result of a campaign targeting Chinese exiles in many countries. Fu, based in the United States, has faced bomb threats and been forced to seek police protection. But Fu said the work of ChinaAid will not be stopped.

In India, Christians and other minorities fear religious intolerance will continue to grow during 2021 as a result of growing Hindu nationalism. Hindu extremists attacked churches and individual believers throughout 2020.

According to India’s Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Christians suffered 225 incidents of religiously motivated violence during the first 10 months of 2020 – compared to 218 incidents in the same period in 2019. Many of these attacks were by vigilante mobs, ADF said.

In September 2020, Hindu extremists incited mobs of up to 3,000 people to attack Christians in three villages in Chhattisgarh state.

The growing intolerance towards Christianity has been marked since the coming to power of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in 2014. According to Release partners, there has been a significant rise in the number of attacks against Christians following the subsequent landslide victory of BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2019.

Other regions where persecution of Christians is expected to climb in 2021 include: Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea and Malaysia. To read the report, click here.