Persecution in Sudan: a global view
Open Doors released its latest World Watch List (WWL) on January 7, 2015. The annual list ranks the top 50 countries "where Christians face the most persecution," aiming to create "effective anger" on believers' behalf. Link to web article here.
One of the documents released, gives a summary of trends in the top 20 countries on the persecution list. Sudan's position on that list rose from number 11 to 6. Below is a summary of Sudan. Link here.
Number 6: Sudan (score 80)
With a score of 80 points (73 in 2014), Sudan ranks 6 on the World Watch List 2015. The persecution engines underpinning the persecution dynamics of Christians in Sudan are ‘Islamic extremism’ and ‘Dictatorial paranoia’. These are main persecution engines.
Islam is very well rooted in the Sudanese society. The overwhelming majority of the population in Sudan is Sunni Muslim, and Sharia law is the foundation of Sudan’s legal system. The incumbent regime is authoritarian and wants to control the life of its citizens in toto. Blasphemy laws are used country-wide to persecute and prosecute Christians. Apostasy is criminalized, punishable by the death penalty, and it is very harsh especially on non-Arabs.
In this regard, the case of Miriam Ibrahim - a Christian woman who was sentenced to death but later freed after massive international pressure, is a microcosm of the lives of Christians in the country.
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| Photo link here. |
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Regarding violence, in the reporting year, the modus operandi is indiscriminate bombardment of Christians around Nuba mountains (the policy is: kill them, round them up, starve them and then they will submit).
Many have been killed.
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| Photo link here. |
Churches and Christian buildings have been destroyed. Those who kill and abuse Christians commit the atrocities at will, and with impunity. On an individual level, Christians face severe pressure in their different spheres of lives (private, family, community, national and church), especially the Christian converts from Islam. Even though this is mainly driven by the extended family, religious leaders, and people from the broader society, the role of the government can also be seen.
Due to a severe violation of freedom of religion, Sudan is one of the two African countries designated ‘country of particular concern’ by the US State Department. The country is also in a continuous war/civil war in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile State. The president’s case for crimes committed in Darfur is also pending before the International Criminal Court. The symbiotic relationship between radical Islam and the authoritarian regime has become more intricate than ever. Considering the level of persecution in the reporting year, the life of Christians in the country will remain the same in the coming year(s).