(International)–The beginning of this year brought with it an increase of reported aggression against the church. According to Open Doors International, there has been a continued trend of fierce violence against believers. Open Doors’ Terry Madison says it’s in the new release of the “World Watch List”. “These countries that have been on the list form the beginning of our World Watch List history have not changed a great deal, but we tend to see the same countries more or less in the same position. Saudi Arabia has been consistent-it has had the dubious distinction of being number one on our list ever since we began it [the list]; Afghanistan, China, North Korea, Vietnam and Laos.” Madison notes some significant changes, as well. “Some things have improved in the last six to twelve months. Certainly in Brunei, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, and Cambodia, and some of the North African states, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, pressure on Christians has been somewhat relieved.”
