SANTA ANA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2007) – Christian persecution continued unabated in many countries, according to the Open Doors “World Watch List,†released annually to draw attention to the world’s 50 worst persecutors.
The list ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. The list is compiled based on the answers to 50 questions covering various aspects of religious freedom from Open Doors’ indigenous contacts, field workers and persecuted believers.
The reclusive communist nation of North Korea tops the list for the fifth year in a row, followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and Maldives. The five worst countries are unchanged from last year’s World Watch List. Yemen (No. 8 last year), Bhutan (No. 6 last year), Vietnam (No. 7 last year), Laos (same) and Afghanistan (No. 11 last year) hold spots 6-10.