August 22: A Day to Remember the Persecuted

August 22nd marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Marta Petrosillo, Editor-in-Chief of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Religious Freedom Report 2025, shares her insights on the upcoming report and the importance of advocating for those who suffer for their faith.

In an interview, Petrosillo emphasized that the idea of suffering for one’s religion may seem distant to some, but it is a harsh reality for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. “It is essential to have this day dedicated to the victims of this kind of violence, to raise awareness, because religious freedom violations affect and cause suffering for many people,” she said.

The ACN Religious Freedom Report, first published in 1999, aims to raise awareness and report on religious freedom violations globally. What sets it apart is its comprehensive coverage of all countries and faith groups. “If religious freedom is denied for one group, sooner or later it will also be denied to others,” Petrosillo warned.

The upcoming report, set to be released on October 21st, is expected to reveal a worsening trend in religious freedom globally, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Petrosillo highlighted the growing threat of religious extremism in Africa, citing the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso as examples. “We see many Jihadist groups perpetrating more attacks, including in countries where interfaith relations were not a problem,” she said.

The report also notes a rise in ethno-religious nationalism in Asia and instability in the Middle East, which significantly affects religious freedom. Furthermore, Latin America has seen an increase in religious freedom violations, painting a concerning picture.

Despite the grim outlook, Petrosillo sees hope in the growing awareness among civil society and governments. “This can be the game-changer in order to act against the violation of religious freedom,” she said, pointing to examples of governments appointing special envoys for religious freedom and civil society organizations taking action.

However, she also expressed concern about violations of religious freedom in the West, including attacks on faith groups, vandalism, and efforts to exclude religion from the public square. “We are also concerned about disrespect for conscientious objections of people working in the health sector,” she added.

So, what can people do to help? Petrosillo urged readers to spread awareness, show support through prayer and material means, and advocate for those suffering for their faith. “Religious freedom is a human right, but it’s also a shared responsibility,” she emphasized. “It’s up to us to make it possible that this really important human right is granted everywhere equally.”