The number of anti-Christian hate crimes has exponentially increased across Europe, according to the most recent report published by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC).
2,444 such crimes have been identified in 35 European monitored countries, of which 232 were personal attacks. France, the United Kingdom and Germany are at the top of the list.
Most of the incidents were acts of vandalism against churches (62%), followed by the desecration of Christian sites (24%), arson (10%), threats (8%), and physical violence (7%).
Almost 1,000 such crimes were registered in France last year, while the number in Germany more than doubled, from 135 to 277.
UK: Discrimination in the workplace
The organizations expresses concern regarding discrimination of Christians in the workplace and in public life, considering this trend as one of the main reasons for “increasing self-censorship” among Christians in Europe.
A 2024 study by Voice for Justice UK found that only a third (36%) of the UK Christians under the age of 35 feel free to express their Christian views on social issues at work.
Pro-life advocates praying in the streets near abortion clinics have been convicted in British courts, a fact that OIDAC representatives have described as “particularly shocking”.
“In particular, Christians who adhere to traditional religious beliefs face increasing discrimination and hostility, ranging from bullying at work to the loss of employment,” declared Anja Hoffmann, executive director of OIDAC Europe, for Christian Today.
“It is very worrying that the peaceful expression of personal religious beliefs, for example on matters relating to marriage and family, has become the potential end of a political career or employment, or even the beginning of a court case.”
Profound research needed
The report is based on data reported by European governments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2023, as well as reports from the civil society.
Prof. Regina Polak, OSCE Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, declared that the rise in hate-motivated anti-Christian discrimination in Europe must “be taken more seriously by governments and civil society and needs profound research to understand its specific nature and causes”.
In 2022, OIDAC documented 749 hate crimes against Christians in Europe, but the number could be higher, since this type of crimes do not get enough media coverage.
Photo source: Facebook / Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe
