Religious Freedom Yearbooks 2026: A Powerful Call for Courageous Christian Leadership, Global Advocacy and Solidarity with Persecuted Communities

Following the release of the Religious Freedom 2026 and Persecution and Discrimination against Christians 2026 yearbooks in Berlin, Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender, Lawyer, and Founder of LEAD Ministries, calls upon global Christian leaders, churches, and international institutions to strengthen their commitment to defending persecuted Christian communities, particularly in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries. He urges church leaders to use their pulpits not only for prayers but also as platforms for courageous advocacy, public awareness, and concrete action; to stand firmly and publicly with Christians persecuted solely because of their faith; to support victims and their families, pursue justice and accountability, and address the religious teachings, extremist interpretations, and incitement used to justify anti-Christian persecution. He emphasizes that prayer must be accompanied by practical solidarity and that Christian leadership must translate its faith and moral responsibility into meaningful action for the protection, dignity, and freedom of persecuted Christians.

By Sardar Mushtaq Gill | Human Rights Defender & Lawyer | Founder & International Advocacy Director, LEAD Ministries

Commenting on the release of the yearbooks Religious Freedom 2026 and Persecution and Discrimination against Christians 2026 in Berlin on November 3, 2026, Sardar Mushtaq Gill welcomed the efforts of the International Institute for Religious Freedom and other human rights advocates in documenting violations of religious freedom and bringing international attention to the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.

He emphasized that documenting persecution is an essential contribution to human rights advocacy, but documentation must lead to meaningful action, sustained international engagement, and practical support for those whose fundamental rights are being violated.

Prioritizing the Suffering of Christian Communities

Gill expressed particular concern about the continuing situation of Christians in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries, where Christian minorities face serious challenges, including blasphemy accusations, forced conversions, forced marriages of Christian girls and women, abductions, mob violence, attacks on churches, discrimination in employment and education, and social exclusion.

He stressed that vulnerable Christian families, particularly women and children, frequently face difficulties obtaining justice, legal protection, and effective support.

“Our responsibility is to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christian communities, listen to their suffering, address their grievances, support victims and their families, and raise our voices wherever their fundamental rights are violated. Christian communities facing persecution need more than expressions of sympathy; they need consistent advocacy, meaningful solidarity, and practical assistance,” Gill stated.

He clarified that prioritizing the protection of persecuted Christians does not mean disregarding the rights of people belonging to other religions. Rather, the defense of human rights requires equal respect for everyone while ensuring that the particular suffering of Christian minorities receives the attention, recognition, and representation it deserves.

Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Collective Action for the Liberation of Bonded Labourers in Pakistan

Gill also highlighted the economic vulnerability of Christian communities in Pakistan, noting that many Christian families face poverty, unemployment, limited educational opportunities, religious discrimination, and social exclusion.

He urged churches, Christian organizations, and humanitarian institutions working among vulnerable communities to strengthen collaboration, information sharing, transparency, and mutual accountability, particularly in their efforts to liberate Christian families trapped in bonded labour at brick kilns.

Gill emphasized that transparency, documentation, and independent verification are essential components of credible humanitarian work. He noted that reports concerning the release of bonded labourers should be supported by appropriate documentation, clear financial information, and details of rehabilitation efforts. Such transparency strengthens public confidence, encourages cooperation among Christian organizations, and ensures that humanitarian initiatives remain accountable to the vulnerable families they seek to serve.

He observed that presenting achievements without adequate supporting evidence or transparent financial information can undermine public confidence, weaken cooperation among Christian organizations, and ultimately affect their shared mission and commitment to securing freedom for bonded labourers.

He therefore called for a coordinated and trustworthy approach covering the identification of bonded labourers, legal intervention, release, safe relocation, rehabilitation, livelihood assistance, children's education, and regular follow-up to prevent families from falling back into bondage.

“Our priority must be the genuine welfare and long-term freedom of affected families. Christian organizations should work together with honesty, openness, and mutual respect, sharing relevant information, documenting their activities, and welcoming independent verification. Every claim of liberation must be supported by credible evidence and a transparent account of the assistance provided.

“Securing the release of a family from a brick kiln is only the beginning; ensuring that the family can live independently, safely, and with dignity is the real measure of success. We must strengthen one another's efforts, avoid unnecessary organizational divisions, and ensure that humanitarian resources reach those for whom they are intended. Genuine church growth and Christian witness in Pakistan are demonstrated not merely through establishing congregations but also through serving suffering people, liberating vulnerable families, restoring human dignity, and creating opportunities for education, independence, and a hopeful future,” Gill stated.

Christian Pulpits Must Become Platforms for Advocacy and Action

Gill called upon pastors, bishops, church leaders, and Christian institutions worldwide to recognize their responsibility to speak publicly and consistently for persecuted Christians.

He emphasized that churches have an important role beyond spiritual guidance and prayer. Their leadership, influence, and international networks can help bring attention to forgotten victims, mobilize support, and encourage governments and human rights institutions to take meaningful action.

“Use your pulpits not only for prayers but also for concrete steps to defend persecuted Christians. Speak about their suffering, stand publicly with victims, support their families, and demand justice. Do not hesitate to stand with Christians who are persecuted solely because of their faith. Prayer is essential, but it must be accompanied by courageous advocacy, practical solidarity, and a commitment to protecting human dignity,” Gill said.

He further observed that Christian leaders should ensure that their institutional relationships, public positions, and international engagements remain consistent with their responsibility to defend vulnerable Christian communities and promote religious freedom.

Addressing the Root Causes of Anti-Christian Persecution

Gill also called for a more serious and comprehensive examination of the religious, ideological, political, and social factors contributing to anti-Christian persecution, particularly in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority societies.

He argued that condemning individual incidents of violence is not sufficient unless the underlying causes and narratives that encourage hostility against Christians are also addressed.

He urged Christian theologians, researchers, religious freedom organizations, and human rights institutions to examine how particular interpretations of religious texts, teachings, and extremist doctrines are used by individuals and groups to justify discrimination, forced conversions, violence, and the denial of equal rights to Christians.

“Those who defend religious freedom must have the courage to address difficult questions. Where particular religious interpretations, teachings, or ideological narratives are used to encourage hatred, justify violence, or promote the subordination of Christians, these matters must be examined openly and honestly. We must identify the sources of incitement and challenge them through research, evidence, dialogue, and universal human rights principles,” Gill emphasized.

He added that such criticism must focus on specific teachings, interpretations, extremist ideologies, and individuals responsible for incitement, rather than collectively blaming entire religious communities or holding ordinary believers responsible for the actions of extremist individuals and groups.

Gill stressed that genuine interfaith dialogue should not avoid difficult realities but should encourage mutual respect, equal citizenship, freedom of religion, and the protection of vulnerable minorities.

Protecting Christian Women, Girls, Men and Boys from Exploitation and Abuse

Gill expressed serious concern about the vulnerability of Christian women, girls, men, and boys in Pakistan, who may face abduction, forced conversions, forced marriages, sexual violence, exploitation, discrimination, and denial of justice. He particularly highlighted the misuse of blasphemy accusations, including fabricated allegations, blackmail, intimidation, and attempts to damage the reputation and security of innocent Christians.

He also raised concerns about social media manipulation, deceptive online relationships, and alleged honey-trapping schemes, through which individuals may be lured using fake identities or misleading communications and subsequently threatened with false blasphemy accusations, extortion, public humiliation, or other forms of abuse.

Gill called for impartial investigations, proper examination of digital evidence, legal accountability, and effective protection for victims and their families.

He urged Christian organizations, lawyers, and international human rights institutions to address these abuses through legal assistance, awareness, digital safety education, and sustained advocacy, while raising their voices for speedy investigations, fair trials, and timely justice for victims.

He emphasized that every Christian, regardless of gender or age, deserves protection, dignity, justice, and equal treatment under the law.

A Call for International Solidarity and Accountability

Gill urged international Christian organizations, churches, parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, academics, and human rights defenders to strengthen cooperation in protecting persecuted Christian communities.

He identified several essential priorities:

1. Strengthening legal protection for Christian minorities and vulnerable religious communities.
2. Supporting victims of forced conversions, forced marriages, religiously motivated violence, and discrimination.
3. Documenting violations through independent research and reliable evidence.
4. Addressing religious extremism and incitement that contribute to anti-Christian persecution.
5. Demanding accountability from authorities and individuals responsible for human rights violations.
6. Providing practical assistance, legal support, and protection to affected families.
7. Ensuring that persecuted Christians have a voice in international discussions on religious freedom.

Gill emphasized that international solidarity must be consistent and guided by universal human rights principles rather than political interests or institutional convenience. He also stressed that cooperation, transparency, and mutual accountability among Christian organizations are essential to building trust and achieving sustainable results for vulnerable communities.

Commitment to Religious Freedom and Human Dignity

Concluding his remarks, Gill reaffirmed his commitment, through LEAD Ministries, to advocating for persecuted Christians, defending religious minorities, and raising international awareness of violations of freedom of religion or belief.

He stressed that religious freedom must be defended not merely through reports, conferences, and declarations but through courageous leadership, practical assistance, international cooperation, transparency, and sustained efforts to secure justice.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, and defending it requires courage, consistency, and action. Christian leaders must stand with persecuted communities, particularly those in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries, identify the causes of their suffering, and work for meaningful protection and justice. Let our pulpits become voices for the voiceless, our institutions become instruments of justice, and our solidarity become a source of hope for Christians who suffer because of their faith,” Gill concluded.