Egypt 

On 19 May, the government granted legal status to 191 churches and buildings belonging to different Christian denominations. 3,804 have now been legalised since 2016, when the government created a committee to oversee legalisation of churches. 

This is a welcome step forward, although there is still discrimination. The law that allows Christian buildings to be legalised does not cover other religious groups, such as Ahmadis, the Baha’i, and Shia communities. Sunni Muslims, on the other hand, do not face the same requirements with their houses of worship. 

Nicaragua 

CSW recorded 309 separate freedom of religion or belief cases in 2025 – up from 220 in 2024. Most cases involved multiple violations, and many affected large numbers of people. In 200 cases (65%) the victims were Roman Catholic, and in 108 cases were Protestant. One case involved a journalist who was not religious, but was targeted for covering religious issues. 

India

In March, Maharashtra became the 13th state to adopt a stringent anti‑conversion bill – legislation that many fear will increase pressure on religious minorities and interfaith couples. Similar laws in other states have led to unjust arrests, intimidation, and heightened scrutiny of Christians and Muslims. 

If the bill is enacted, anyone intending to convert will have to notify the authorities 60 days in advance, and then again within 21 days after conversion. 

Punishment includes up to 7 years in prison, or up to 10 years for repeat offenders. 

Simple acts of charity and service – running schools, or offering food or medical care – could be criminalised if seen as encouraging conversion. 

Vietnam 

In April, Dr Nguyen Dinh Thang was sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison on false terrorism charges. Cases like this reflect a growing effort to silence and intimidate those who expose Vietnam’s human rights abuses – including those now living abroad. Dr Thang is based in the United States and is president of the human rights organisation Boat People SOS.