A recent report reveals a dramatic rise in anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe, with incidents nearly tripling in 2023 compared to the previous year. The findings, published by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe), document a concerning 2,444 hate crimes in 35 countries—an increase of 226% from 749 incidents in 2022.
Among these, 232 cases involved direct attacks on individuals, including harassment and physical violence. France, the United Kingdom, and Germany were identified as the countries most affected by this surge in hostility towards Christians.
In the UK, 702 incidents were recorded, including cases of fatal violence. One tragic instance involved the murder of Christian convert Javed Nouri, who was stabbed multiple times by his Muslim flatmate in October 2023 for allegedly committing apostasy.
France reported almost 1,000 hate crimes targeting Christians, with four church arson attacks occurring in January alone. Germany also experienced a significant rise, with 277 reported incidents, marking a 105% increase from the previous year. Additionally, over 2,000 cases of property damage to Christian places of worship were recorded across the continent.
The attacks ranged from verbal harassment and threats to acts of vandalism, arson, and desecration of sacred sites. Nearly 25% of vandalism incidents were categorized as deliberate acts of desecration, underscoring the targeted nature of the hostility.
OIDAC Europe is urging governments to address the growing intolerance and implement measures to safeguard religious freedoms. In a statement, the organization emphasized the importance of ensuring Christians can worship without fear:
“Rising hostility toward Christians requires urgent attention from policymakers to protect the right to practice faith freely across Europe.”
The report highlights an urgent need for collaboration between European governments and faith communities to address escalating persecution. While the numbers are sobering, they serve as a call to action to uphold the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and religious liberty.