Anit-Christian hate crimes in Europe skyrocketed by 226 per cent in 2023, according to a new report.
A review from the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) documented 2,444 hate crimes targeting Christians in 35 European countries, up from 749 incidents in 2022.
Of these, 232 were personal attacks on Christians, ranging from harassment to physical violence. The most affected countries were France, the UK, and Germany.
In the UK, hate crimes against Christians rose to 702 incidents, including fatal violence linked to religious intolerance. Christian convert Javed Nouri was repeatedly stabbed by his Muslim flatmate for ‘apostasy’ in October 2023.
France reported nearly 1,000 cases, including four church arson attacks in January alone. Germany saw 277 incidents—a 105 per cent increase from 2022—alongside over 2,000 cases of property damage to Christian places of worship.
The incidents ranged from harassment, threats, and arson to the desecration of churches.
Nearly a quarter of the vandalism involved intentional acts of desecration.
OIDAC Europe has called on European governments to tackle rising intolerance, protect religious freedoms, and ensure that Christians can practice their faith without fear of persecution.
The report underscores an urgent need for policymakers to address growing hostility and safeguard the right to worship freely across Europe.
