House Republicans Introduce Resolution Demanding Action on Global Christian Persecution

Washington, D.C. – A coalition of Republican legislators has introduced comprehensive legislation in both chambers of Congress, demanding urgent action to address what they describe as systematic persecution of Christian communities worldwide, particularly in nations with Muslim-majority populations.

House Resolution 594, spearheaded by Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia and supported by seven co-sponsors including Representatives Steube, Guest, Grothman, McDowell, Gill, Luna, and Harrigan, was formally presented to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 17. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri simultaneously introduced companion legislation in the upper chamber.

Understanding the Scale of the Crisis

The resolution draws heavily from Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List, a comprehensive annual report that tracks religious persecution globally. According to this research, more than 380 million Christians currently face significant levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide, with many of these believers located in countries where Islam is the predominant religion.

“We cannot remain passive observers while our fellow believers suffer,” Senator Hawley emphasized during his Senate floor remarks. “Christians across the globe are experiencing torture, arbitrary arrest, forced displacement from their homes, and execution—their only ‘crime’ being their declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Examining Specific Cases Across 23 Nations

The legislative text documents troubling patterns across 23 different countries, painting a comprehensive picture of targeted violence and discrimination. Nigeria emerges as a particularly concerning focal point, with the resolution noting that more Christians lose their lives to persecution in Nigeria annually than in all other nations combined.

Recent attacks in Nigeria illustrate the severity of the situation. A Palm Sunday massacre in 2025 resulted in at least 50 deaths, while a devastating June assault in Benue State claimed over 200 Christian lives. Witnesses reported that attackers shouted “Allahu Akbar” while conducting the violence against displaced believers seeking shelter.

“The statistics are staggering and heartbreaking,” Representative Moore explained. “More than 50,000 Christians have been killed and over 5 million have been forced from their homes in Nigeria during recent years. These incidents represent a clear pattern of targeted violence, not random acts of violence.”

Documenting Systematic Abuses Across Multiple Countries

The resolution catalogs a wide range of human rights violations affecting Christian communities. These documented abuses include forced religious conversions, deliberate destruction of churches and religious buildings, kidnapping of Christian women and girls in Egypt and Pakistan, imprisonment of religious leaders in Algeria and Iran, ongoing harassment of believers in Gaza, and torture followed by forced underground existence for Christians in Afghanistan and Yemen.

Syria presents another tragic example, where a jihadist recently opened fire during a divine liturgy service in Damascus, killing 30 worshipers and injuring many others. Such attacks on places of worship represent direct targeting of religious communities during their most sacred moments.

The legislation also highlights individual cases that demonstrate the personal cost of religious persecution. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian gospel musician, received sentencing under blasphemy laws, while Rhoda Jatau faces imprisonment for publicly criticizing the lynching of a Christian student. These cases illustrate how legal systems in some countries are being used to criminalize Christian faith and expression.

Historical Context and Policy Failures

Representative Moore acknowledged that past United States foreign policy decisions, including the Iraq War, may have inadvertently worsened conditions for Christian minorities in the Middle East region. This recognition of historical context demonstrates the complex nature of religious persecution and the need for more thoughtful diplomatic approaches moving forward.

Understanding this historical backdrop helps explain why Christian communities in certain regions face heightened vulnerability today. The destabilization of traditional power structures and the rise of extremist groups in some areas have created environments where religious minorities become easy targets for violence and discrimination.

Policy Recommendations and Diplomatic Integration

The resolution presents specific recommendations for how the Trump administration should integrate protection of persecuted Christians into broader foreign policy objectives. These suggestions include incorporating religious freedom concerns into trade negotiations, security discussions, peace talks, and diplomatic engagement, particularly when dealing with Muslim-majority nations.

“Our nation was established on the fundamental principle of religious liberty,” Senator Hawley stated. “This founding principle must extend to advocating for believers who face suffering around the world.”

This approach recognizes that religious freedom issues cannot be separated from other aspects of international relations. By weaving these concerns into existing diplomatic frameworks, the United States can leverage multiple types of relationships and agreements to promote better treatment of religious minorities.

Support from Religious Freedom Organizations

Multiple religious freedom advocacy organizations have expressed strong support for this legislative initiative. Kelsey Zorzi from ADF International described the resolution as “a long-overdue recognition of a global crisis that has been ignored for far too long.”

Sean Nelson, serving as legal counsel for ADF, emphasized the importance of honest assessment: “It is significant that the resolution clearly identifies what so many organizations and governments refuse to acknowledge: Christians are often targeted simply because of their religious identity.”

The coalition supporting this resolution includes established advocacy groups such as In Defense of Christians, CatholicVote, Christians Engaged, Global Christian Relief, Save the Persecuted Christians, and Advancing American Freedom. This broad support base demonstrates the widespread concern about Christian persecution across different segments of the religious freedom community.

Call for Church Advocacy and Action

Representative Grothman issued a direct challenge to Christian communities in the United States, urging them to become more vocal advocates for their persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide. “When other groups face discrimination, they are not hesitant to inform the world about their situation. Christians should have that same freedom to speak out—everywhere on earth.”

This call to action recognizes that governmental efforts alone cannot address the full scope of Christian persecution. Faith communities themselves must become more engaged in advocacy, awareness-raising, and support for persecuted believers globally.

Looking Toward Congressional and Executive Action

The resolution’s sponsors hope their legislation will catalyze both congressional oversight and executive branch action to address what many religious freedom experts are characterizing as a modern-day genocide against Christian communities. The bipartisan nature of concern about religious persecution suggests potential for broader legislative support.

“This moment requires moral clarity and decisive action,” Representative Moore declared. “We must speak with one unified voice: the persecution of Christians around the world will not be ignored or tolerated.”

The timing of this resolution, early in the Trump administration, positions it as a potential cornerstone of renewed American leadership on international religious freedom issues. How the administration responds to these congressional calls for action will likely shape the direction of United States policy on religious persecution for years to come.

Moving Forward: The Path to Implementation

As this resolution moves through the legislative process, its ultimate impact will depend on several factors. Congressional passage would send a strong signal about American priorities, but meaningful change will require sustained diplomatic pressure, strategic use of economic leverage, and coordinated international cooperation.

The documentation provided in this resolution offers a foundation for more targeted policy interventions. By clearly identifying specific countries, types of abuse, and individual cases, lawmakers have created a roadmap for focused diplomatic engagement and accountability measures.

Religious freedom advocates emphasize that addressing Christian persecution requires both immediate humanitarian response and long-term systemic change. This resolution represents an important first step in what must be a sustained, comprehensive approach to protecting religious minorities worldwide.

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