EU Parliament recognizes “Christianophobia” in human rights resolution

The European Parliament has formally acknowledged the term “Christianophobia” in a recent resolution addressing human rights and democracy worldwide.

According to the resolution adopted earlier this year, members of the European Parliament noted that Christians face significant persecution globally and described Christianity as the most persecuted religion in the world. Lawmakers highlighted estimates suggesting that more than 380 million Christians experience severe persecution due to their faith.

The resolution also pointed out that the European Union currently has coordinators dedicated to addressing discrimination such as antisemitism and Islamophobia, but no equivalent position focused specifically on combating Christianophobia. Some members of the Parliament argued that the lack of such a role represents a gap in the EU’s efforts to address religious discrimination.

Data referenced in the discussion included findings from international monitoring groups that track religious persecution. Reports cited incidents such as attacks on churches and Christian institutions, as well as large numbers of believers forced to flee their homes because of violence or intimidation.

Advocates say the recognition of the term within an official EU document marks an important step in acknowledging violence and discrimination faced by Christians worldwide. Critics, however, argue that broader approaches to protecting all religious groups should remain the primary focus of EU human rights policy.

The resolution forms part of the European Parliament’s annual review of global human rights and democratic conditions. While such resolutions are largely non-binding, they can influence EU policy debates and highlight areas where lawmakers believe further action may be needed.