{"id":9276,"date":"2024-02-15T10:53:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T10:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opendoorsuk.org\/?page_id=9276"},"modified":"2024-02-15T12:00:43","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T12:00:43","slug":"methodology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/methodology\/","title":{"rendered":"How does Open Doors create the World Watch List?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How does Open Doors create the World Watch List?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Every year, Open Doors research teams create the World Watch List: a list of the countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, ranked from the most extreme. It\u2019s a unique, in-depth record of the places where Christians are following Jesus no matter the cost, and research has been gathered and analysed annually since 1993\u00a0\u2013 but how it is compiled?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How does Open Doors define \u2018persecution\u2019?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no international, legal definition of persecution. Situations can be defined as persecution where persons experience the denial of the rights listed in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, World Watch List methodology has opted for a theological rather than a sociological definition: \u201cAny hostility experienced as a result of one\u2019s identification with Christ. This can include hostile attitudes, words and actions towards Christians\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This broad definition includes (but is not limited to) restrictions, pressure, discrimination, opposition, disinformation, injustice, intimidation, mistreatment, marginalisation, oppression, intolerance, infringement, violation, ostracism, hostilities, harassment, abuse, violence, ethnic cleansing and genocide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does Open Doors divide up types of persecution?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Broadly, the methodology distinguishes between two main expressions of persecution: \u2018squeeze\u2019 and \u2018smash\u2019. \u2018Smash\u2019 is relatively easy to identify and track, since it refers to concrete acts of overt violence against Christians, because of their faith. \u2018Squeeze\u2019, on the other hand, is the persecution experienced as pressure in many areas of Christian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian experience is thus considered in five different areas of life \u2013 which can be considered \u2018squeeze\u2019 \u2013 as well as the final category being the \u2018smash\u2019 of violence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n