FSPC Impulse 7

Christians Facing Discrimination and Threats throughout the World

In many parts of the world, Christians face discrimination, marginalisation and violence. With the publication “Solidarity and Action. Christians Facing Discrimination and Threats throughout the World”, the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) presents an impulse paper that analyses these situations and outlines possible responses from a church and human rights perspective.

The text was approved by the Council of the FSPC on 31 March 2009 and written by Christian Vandersee. It builds on earlier reports on the situation of Christian minorities and places current developments in a broader framework of human rights, political realities and theological reflection.

At its centre is the understanding of freedom of religion as a universal human right. The publication emphasises that discrimination and violence against Christians are often part of more general patterns of human rights violations and must be assessed within their specific historical, cultural and political contexts. Through selected country examples, the paper illustrates how religious, ethnic and political conflicts intersect and render Christian minorities particularly vulnerable.

A further focus lies on the responsibility of the churches. The FSPC stresses the close link between Christian solidarity and commitment to human rights. Solidarity is not understood as confrontation, but as a differentiated and context-sensitive engagement for human dignity, non-violence and dialogue. The paper explicitly rejects simplistic interpretations and the instrumentalisation of religion in conflict situations.

The publication is addressed to the member churches of the FSPC and serves as a basis for orientation, advocacy and international ecumenical cooperation.

PDF to download: Solidarity and Action. Christians Facing Discrimination and Threats throughout the World