Thank you! A record 113 MPs attend launch of the World Watch List

Thanks to you, 113 MPs attended the launch of World Watch List 2026 in Westminster. They heard about the immense challenges facing Christians in Iran, Somalia and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and discovered how they can use their influence to bring change. Scroll down for a video of the launch and to the bottom to discover if your MP attended.

A record 113 MPs were represented in Westminster for the parliamentary launch of the latest World Watch List – an incredible number that would not have been possible without you inviting your MP. Thank you!

An overview of trends

After an introduction by Ruth Jones MP, this year’s host, Henrietta Blyth, Open Doors UK & Ireland CEO, took to the platform. After highlighting the eight million rise in the number of Christians globally suffering high levels of persecution and discrimination, making the number 388 million, she honed in on the trends that have emerged from the latest report.

“Nigeria is in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that represents a deathtrap for Christians. Fourteen of the countries there are on the World Watch List this year,” she said, whilst expressing relief that people are finally talking about what’s going on in Nigeria.

This year’s biggest riser is Syria, jumping 12 places to sixth, largely due to a surge in violence. “And pressure is rising across the board,” explained Henrietta Blyth. “This is caused not, as far as we know, by the new government [Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham], but by security vacuums, fragmented governance and local extremist groups – all of which increases the vulnerability of Christians.

“Elsewhere, the increasing smash and squeeze continues to drive the church underground. And the tighter the squeeze, the more difficult it becomes to get word to the outside world about what’s really happening, or to be honest about it.” She explained how what we’ve seen for several years in places like Afghanistan, Algeria, China and Iran, we’re now seeing its ‘chilling effect’ in Tunisia and Mauritania.

A voice for Iran and Somalia

The event featured two interviews hosted by journalist Nitya Rajan, the first of which was with Bahar* from Iran, who began by sharing how, as a child, her father was imprisoned twice – first for two months and then for a year.

“Every single day, I’m fearing for Christians in the country,” said Bahar, as she shed further light on the widespread protests that have spread across Iran in recent days and urged those present to use their voice for those suffering under the regime.

The second interview was a believer who spoke about Somalia, which is second on the World Watch List. He highlighted the respect the UK government has with Somalia, and urged MPs to use their good relationship to advocate for believers suffering for their faith.

David Smith MP, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, shared a few words. “We have to be that voice that speaks on these horrendous stories,” he said. “No one should live in fear because of their faith or belief. The minimum we can do is speak up and I urge you to that.”

He commended the work of Open Doors and other organisations advocating for freedom of religion or belief, and made particular mention of Nigeria and the growing awareness of the suffering facing people there. “Now is a moment for Nigeria,” he said.

A plea to speak

“People should keep talking about the Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, because every day we are attacked,” shared Pastor Barnabas from Nigeria in a video that was then shown. “We want people to spread this news to everybody, that they should keep talking about it, so that we will be saved.”

In her closing remarks, Henrietta recognised the progress made since the Bishop of Truro reviewed the UK’s support for persecuted Christians seven years ago, whilst stressing that in that time the persecution of Christians has grown.

“In fragile and volatile contexts, persecution and discrimination thrive in the gaps – where institutions are weak, accountability is absent and violent actors believe no one is watching. This is where our government’s voice can make a difference,” she said. “Our partners don’t ask for sympathy or money. They ask for moral courage. They know that when the UK government speaks – their governments listen.”

She then made a series of requests to the government around raising violations of freedom of religion or belief, building conversations about religious freedom into discussions on other issues, speaking publicly when silence would be easier, acting early in fragile states, and ensuring the authority and effectiveness of the Special Envoy role.

“When opportunities to protect the persecuted are not taken, silence is not neutral – it is read as permission,” she concluded.

Thank you!

Thank you to all of you who took time to invite your MP to the launch. Your contribution really does make a difference.

Many MPs were impacted by the event. To give one example, Jim Shannon MP, a regular attendee of the parliamentary launch who sends the World Watch List to all churches in his constituency and the local mosque, is thankful for all those who invited him to the launch – even though they know he’ll attend! Whilst he acknowledged that the World Watch List report again makes for familiar reading, he said, “I urge fervent and frequent prayer, because faith can move mountains.”

Did your MP attend?

Shockat Adam
Dan Aldridge
Gideon Amos
Fleur Anderson
Edward Argar
Victoria Atkins
Alex Baker
Dame Harriett Baldwin
Danny Beales
Saqib Bhatti
Chris Bloore
Jess Brown-Fuller
Juliet Campbell
Wendy Chamberlain
Bambos Charalambous
Ellie Chowns
Daisy Cooper
Sir Geoffrey Cox
Mims Davies
Marsha De Cordova
Jim Dickson
Lee Dillon
Dame Caroline Dinenage
Anna Dixon
Anneliese Dodds
Dave Doogan
Alex Easton
Sorcha Eastwood
Florence Eshalomi
Chris Evans
Dr Luke Evans
Tim Farron
Patricia Ferguson
Sir Ashley Fox
Richard Fuller
Anna Gelderd
Sarah Gibson
Preet Kaur Gill
John Glen
Ben Goldsborough
Andrew Griffith
Monica Harding
Rebecca Harris
Sir John Hayes
Tom Hayes
Damian Hinds
Sir Jeremy Hunt
Sally Jameson
Ruth Jones
Sojan Joseph
Warinder Juss
Jayne Kirkham
Paul Kohler
Ben Lake
John Lamont
Sir Julian Lewis
Carla Lockhart
Seamus Logan
Julia Lopez
Ben Maguire
Helen Maguire
Amanda Martin
Rachael Maskell
Brian Mathew
Charlie Maynard
Douglas McAllister
Kerry McCarthy
Dame Siobhain McDonagh
Esther McVey
Navendu Mishra
Joe Morris
Susan Murray
James Naish
Caroline Nokes
Dr Simon Opher
Taiwo Owatemi
Toby Perkins
Al Pinkerton
Mark Pritchard
Steve Race
Adrian Ramsay
Connor Rand
Andrew Ranger
Martin Rhodes
Ian Roome
Sam Rushworth
Sarah Russell
Anna Sabine
Mark Sewards
Vikki Slade
Lisa Smart
David Smith
Rebecca Smith
Peter Swallow
Robin Swann
Sir Desmond Swayne
Cameron Thomas
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Sir Stephen Timms
Nick Timothy
Matt Turmaine
Laurence Turner
Freddie Van Mierlo
Martin Vickers
Paul Waugh
Pete Wishart
Mike Wood
Sean Woodcock
Sir Jeremy Wright
Steve Yemm
Jim Shannon
Will Forster
Luke Myer

*Name changed for security reasons