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A RESOLUTION recognizing and denouncing the persecution of Christians around 1
the world. 2
WHEREAS, citizens of Kentucky and the United States at-large are blessed to be 3
able to worship God freely and to have their religious freedoms protected; and 4
WHEREAS, these same freedoms are not enjoyed in other places around the world. 5
Christians are enduring persecution, whether it be through discrimination, violence, or 6
oppressive government policies; and 7
WHEREAS, in Nigeria, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 as 8
terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militants run rampant. 9
More Christians die because of their faith in Nigeria each year than in all other countries 10
combined. On average, a Christian is killed in Nigeria every two hours; and 11
WHEREAS, in India, 12 of the 28 states have implemented anti-conversion laws 12
which prevent individuals from changing their faith. Individuals who try to convert could 13
spend up to ten years in prison and face hundreds of dollars in fines. Further, since May 14
of 2023, unrest in India's Manipur state has resulted in the destruction of approximately 15
200 to 400 churches and 3,500 Christian homes; and 16
WHEREAS, in Pakistan, Christian women and girls are forcibly married and 17
converted to Islam; and 18
WHEREAS, in Algeria, the government has closed more than 40 Protestant 19
Christian churches since 2018. A 2006 law which requires non-Muslims to worship only 20
in government-approved buildings is frequently used to target Christians. Dozens of 21
church pastors have been arrested for producing and distributing the Bible and sharing 22
their faith; and 23
WHEREAS, in Vietnam, Christians provide yet another example of religious 24
prosecution that is mischaracterized as ethnic tensions. The Montagnard ethnic group in 25
northern Vietnam has been persecuted due to its large Christian population in the 26
repressive state. In the past several years, hundreds of Montagnards have been 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1835
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imprisoned, and there have been multiple documented cases of Christians being 1
assassinated as they fled to neighboring Thailand to escape persecution; and 2
WHEREAS, International Christian Concern, a watchdog and advocacy group for 3
persecuted Christians, estimates that between 200 and 300 million Christians are 4
persecuted globally. In its 2023 Persecutors of the Year report, which highlights the 5
biggest violators of Christian persecution, International Christian Concern included 6
countries such as Nigeria, Iran, Eritrea, Azerbaijan, and India. Their findings also 7
included government leaders, like China's Xi Jinping and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, as 8
proponents for Christian persecution; 9
NOW, THEREFORE, 10
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 11
Kentucky: 12
Section 1. The Senate calls on the federal government to stand in solidarity with 13
our Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their beliefs and champion the 14
cause of international religious freedom for all. 15
Section 2. The Senate stands united against the suppression and persecution of 16
religious groups wherever it may occur. All people should enjoy the freedom to practice 17
one's religion without fear. 18