Introduction

A teenager ran into her school’s hallway and quickly tucked the small charm from her necklace under her shirt. It was a small symbol of her faith, something she wore proudly every day, but after new school announcements warned students about wearing religious items, she could not help but try to be safe. Her necklace, a symbol of her religion, suddenly felt like a risk. For the first time in her life, this student found herself not adjusting the charm on her necklace, but adjusting her sense of security as she learned to cover up a big part of her identity.

Freedom of religion is a basic human right, but as the example above shows, many people still do not feel secure in their ability to believe and worship as they choose. This right is recognized and upheld by international human rights frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guides and influences laws around the world. Even so, many people still face problems because of their faith. They are treated unfairly or stopped from practicing their religion. These actions hurt personal freedom and weaken democracy.

Religious Persecution in China

In many authoritarian states, governments view independent religious groups as a threat to national security. As a result, they use laws to control how people gather and share their beliefs. According to Aid to the Church in Need, by the end of 2024, more than 5.4 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. These countries have exhibited systematic limits on worship, unequal laws, and violence against those practicing their faith. According to the International Institute for Religious Freedom, these restrictions are increasing.

One example is the pressure on unregistered religious groups. In many authoritarian countries, governments try to remove groups that do not align with national beliefs. In China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has worked to shut down independent religious groups. One of the groups targeted is Beijing’s Zion Church, a large independent Christian church. They were founded in 2007 and are known for working independently.

Because of this, the CCP began to target the church. According to Human Rights Watch, the government increased pressure in October 2025. The CCP intensified its efforts to eradicate the Zion Church, using threats, arrests, raids, kidnappings, and forced closures of churches. On October 11, 2025, about 30 church leaders and members were arrested because of their religion. Similar actions have happened in the past in other countries. Governments often use surveillance and criminal consequences to control people. New tools like cameras, AI tracking, and biometric data are now used to make this control faster and stronger. These actions harm religious freedom. When countries force people to follow only approved religions, they limit one’s identity rights. This control often harms civic rights.

Religious Persecution and Forced Migration

Religious persecution also causes people to flee their homes. The 2025 Religious Freedom in the World Report shows ongoing hostility towards minorities. About 30 million people worldwide have been displaced due to religion. Many of these individuals face physical prejudice and unfair laws. This causes them to leave their homes to find better socio-economic opportunities. Often, abuse is worsened by armed conflicts, creating settings where minorities suffer. Reports from Zenit News Agency in 2025 show that religious migration affects Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. Violence and hate are the main reasons for the movement. The organization Christian Concern reports that 340 million Christians faced persecution in 2025. These numbers are highest in the Middle East, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Many regions with religious persecution have religious nationalism. When people follow a certain faith, it is seen as their loyalty to the state. If one strays away from these beliefs, then they are viewed as threats. This leads to extreme violence when nationalist ideologies are on the rise. Many minority groups also face systemic barriers, including limits on employment and education. This furthers their vulnerability to forced migration. Barriers to employment increase the risk of forced migration by preventing minority groups from earning a stable livelihood. These systems push families to leave, searching for better opportunities. An example of this is the system in Pakistan, where the Ahmadiyya Muslims are seen as “non-Muslims” due to doctrinal differences. Ahmadiyya Muslims face segregation in education and religious practice. This gives them a separate status, due to their religious identity.

Sadly, problems do not stop after people leave their countries. Refugees often face discrimination in new places. Their religious clothing, prayers, or ceremonies may be rejected by a host population. For many, the same faith that prompted them to flee continues to cause hardship. In the worst cases, whole communities live in fear or are forced to escape. This turns religious persecution into a global crisis. Recognizing this, in September 2025, the UN General Assembly emphasized the need for accountability under international law for violence based on religion or belief.

Conclusion

Protecting religious freedom needs strong laws and constant effort. When governments control religion or force minorities to flee, it leads to instability and more human rights abuses. Protecting this right is key to upholding human rights for everyone.

Works Cited

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