On January 21, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on “human rights and democracy in the world.” But for the first time, the institution explicitly recognized the term “Christianophobia” and denounced the global scale of the persecution of Christians — a historic step for European diplomacy and a watershed moment for the global religious freedom movement.

By adopting resolution TA-10-2026-0014, MEPs chose to name a reality that had long remained in the shadows of official reports: systemic discrimination and targeted violence against Christian populations around the globe. The text emphasizes that Christianity remains “the most persecuted religion in the world,” with more than 380 million people suffering abuse or discrimination because of their faith.

A Text Championed by a Center-Right Coalition

While the annual human rights report was coordinated by lead rapporteur Portuguese MEP Francisco Assis (S&D group), the specific section on Christianophobia was the result of an intense battle over amendments. The European People’s Party (EPP) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) groups were the main driving forces behind these provisions.

Among the leading figures in this initiative were Dutchman Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) and Croatian Davor Stier (EPP), who had been working for months with organizations such as Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to enshrine this recognition in European law. They were joined by the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group, whose French members largely supported the text.

A large majority emerged in the final vote. Besides the right and the conservatives, a significant portion of the Renew Europe group (liberals) rallied behind the text, believing that the defense of religious freedom is an indivisible pillar of human rights. In contrast, the radical left groups and some of the Greens expressed reservations, fearing that this specific mention might create a “hierarchy” among victims of religious hatred.

Towards the Appointment of a European Coordinator

The text places particular emphasis on the plight of “Eastern Christians.” Recital “N” specifies that these communities — among the oldest in the world — are subjected to “serious persecution, forced displacement, and restrictions on their freedom of belief.” For observers, this clarification compels the European Union to adopt a firmer stance in its bilateral relations with countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where the practice of the Christian faith can lead to imprisonment or death.

• The resolution deplores an “institutional asymmetry” between resources dedicated to fighting antisemitism versus Christianophobia.
• Eastern Christian communities — among the oldest in the world — face forced displacement and severe restrictions in multiple regions.
• The EU is compelled to take a firmer stance in bilateral relations with countries where faith can lead to imprisonment or execution.
• The Open Doors 2026 index confirms one in seven Christians is currently persecuted worldwide.

A Strong Signal for the Future

This vote marks the end of a taboo. By recognizing Christianophobia, the European Parliament is no longer content with mere statistics — it is providing a legal and political framework for action. This resolution will now serve as the basis for the EU’s external action for the year 2026.

It remains to be seen whether the European Commission will follow these recommendations and whether it will finally dare to make the protection of Christians a priority of its diplomacy. The resolution, historic in its naming of the term, is nonetheless only as powerful as the political will that follows it.

Expert Statement

✦ Expert Commentary  ·  Human Rights Advocate

M

Manel Msalmi

Founder & President, European Association for the Defense of Minorities
Expert on the Middle East & Human Rights Advocate

“I welcome the EU Parliament initiative to call the term ‘Christianophobia’ to all hatred and violence targeting Christian minorities, mainly in the Middle East and South Asia. Unfortunately, Christian minorities are victims of persecution and targeted by extremist groups. There is a systemic discrimination in various areas, leading to the destruction of their cultural heritage. We have witnessed this in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon — as well as in South Asia, mainly in Pakistan, where young women and girls are being kidnapped and forced into conversion.”

Sources:   Parlement Européen  ·  FSSPX.Actualités  ·  Faith & Freedom News