Bhutan

What does persecution look like in Bhutan?

Everyone in Bhutan is assumed to be Buddhist. Anyone who converts to Christianity is watched with suspicion, and usually there are efforts to bring them back to Buddhism. Since there are no registered churches in Bhutan, Christians instead resort to gathering in homes. No churches are officially recognised by the state, which means that Christians who gather in these small fellowships are acting illegally, leaving them vulnerable to criminal penalties. In addition, local authorities often refuse to issue Christians with the right paperwork to file loan applications, property registration, job applications and ID card renewal. 

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

Converts from Buddhism are most vulnerable, as they can face pressure from family, community and local/national officials.

Meet "Deki"

"Villagers taunted my parents. They mentally harassed them. They called Christian faith a foreign religion and began to create chaos for our family."

Deki*, a Bhutanese believer

What has changed this year?

A new prime minister took over in January 2024, but the change in power is not expected to make too much of an impact on the country's small Christian minority. Bhutan generally doesn't get worse for Christians—but things also rarely improve very much, shown by Bhutan's steady rank this year.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Bhutan?

Open Doors local partners provide immediate aid to Bhutanese believers when their faith in Christ leads to various kinds of persecution. We strengthen the persecuted church in Bhutan primarily through prayer support and other practical emergency support.

How can you pray for Bhutan?

• Pray for believers in Bhutan who can only attend churches that exist in a legal grey area. Pray they will be able to meet together to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25), no matter what.
• Ask that God will protect and preserve believers who have converted from Buddhism. Many experience rejection from their families, pray these believers will see that they have a new family in Christ who prays and stands with them.
• Christians can be denied citizenship and other civic rights in Bhutan. Pray that God will help these believers find their worth and citizenship in Him.