A stark warning from Great Britain’s envoy on religious freedom has reignited concern over the future of Christianity in many parts of the world as violence and repression against believers intensify.

The watchdog group International Christian Concern (ICC) reported the development in a press release this week, calling it a vital call to action and solidarity among believers.

David Smith, the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, stated during a recent Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office briefing that global persecution of Christians has reached alarming levels. 

“Persecution on the basis of religion or belief, enacted by States themselves and social groups, is taking place on every continent in the world,” he said.

Smith, a Labour Party Member of Parliament for North Northumberland, previously worked with the Bible Society, a Christian organization focused on Scripture translation and distribution, and Tearfund, a UK-based evangelical group focused on international relief and development. He cited data showing that roughly 380 million Christians worldwide are currently facing persecution.

He said that the UK would now concentrate its efforts on 10 countries with severe religious freedom violations: Vietnam, Algeria, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The selection, he explained, was guided by “the severity of need, the U.K.’s diplomatic ties, and the possibility of achieving progress,” according to ICC. 

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Responding to the envoy’s remarks, ICC President Jeff King emphasized the gravity of the situation. 

“We must remain steadfast in our faith as a Christian nation and unite with our brothers and sisters across the world who face violence and persecution, and as a result, face being wiped out,” he said. “Christianity has endured for over 2,000 years; a faith so strong and deeply rooted in history should not and cannot be ‘wiped out.’”

Along with tracking the persecution of Christians, the UK’s new initiative will also monitor violence against other vulnerable religious minorities, including Baháʼís and Ahmadiyya Muslims, according to the release.

“The U.K.’s effort is a noble one, although we wish they would extend their efforts to all areas where Christian believers live in fear for their faith,” King said. “As Mr. Smith undertakes this program, we hope all democracies will focus their human rights efforts on helping those who face religious persecution.”

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