With new reports of human rights organisations in Europe, it is clear that anti-Christian discrimination is a hot-button issue in the old continent, and on the rise.
The Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe revealed widespread intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe in its 15 November report, published in cooperation with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or OSCE, and its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
OIDAC Europe identified 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes which were documented by police and civil society in 35 European countries in 2023, including 232 personal attacks on Christians, such as harassment, threats and physical violence.
These figures include data requested from governments, which found 1,230 anti-Christian hate crimes recorded by 10 European governments in 2023, up from 1,029 recorded by governments in 2022.
While only 10 European governments submitted data on anti-Christian hate crimes in 2023, civil society reported incidents from 26 European countries. The report was published ahead of 16 November observance of International Day for Tolerance, which was established in 1996 by the United Nations General Assembly.