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All faiths face official discrimination. Imprisonment is deployed most consistently against Baha'is, as well as Christians who proselytize. Converts are arrested and churches are closed. Evangelizing pastors have been murdered.

Laos. The communist government seeks to control anyone independent of the government. Religious groups are expected to register (and be controlled). Believers are subject to arrest and, notes the State Department, "Persons arrested for their religious activities were sometimes charged with exaggerated security or other criminal offenses."

Outright persecution tends to be most common at the local level. Believers have been arrested, evicted from their homes and villages, and pressured to recant.

Nigeria. The west African nation of Nigeria is divided along religious as well as tribal lines. Nigeria long has suffered from religious tensions and radical Islamic movements. State governments discriminate against Christians in public benefits, employment, and and land use. Twelve states have implemented sharia law.

Anti-American sentiment growing out of the aftermath of September 11 have fueled some local Islamic groups. Freedom House warns of "the Talibanization of Nigeria."

North Korea. No religious liberty exists in what is perhaps the most closed society on earth. Although some churches exist, they are effectively government-controlled. Independent religious activity is proscribed and severely punished. Allegations abound of arrest, torture, and execution of members of underground churches.

Pakistan. An Islamic republic, Pakistan formally allows the practice of minority faiths but discriminates against non- Muslims. Access to government jobs and public services are limited for Christians and others. Moreover, the blasphemy law has been applied against anyone who publicly questions Islam or speaks the truth about Muhammed's life.

Social and professional discrimination and, more important, violence are routinely employed against Christians. Churches have been destroyed and congregations have been attacked. In the aftermath of the publication of the caricatures of Muhammed mobs targeted Christian churches, schools, and businesses.

Saudi Arabia. In this essentially totalitarian state only Sunni Islam is officially allowed, leading to discrimination against Shi'a and non-Muslim faiths. People are not even always left alone at home to practice their faith. Any public display of another religion ensures official punishment.

Details the State Department: "non-Muslim worshippers risk arrest, imprisonment, lashing, deportation, and torture for engaging in religious activity that attracts official attention, especially of the Mutawwa'in (religious police)." Even the Soviet Union formally allowed churches to exist, if not prosper.

Sudan. Over the last two decades millions of people have died and been turned into refugees as a result of almost endless civil war. Discrimination is embedded within the system: For instance, Christian converts face arrest and possible death. Attempts have been made to forcibly convert Christians and impose sharia on Christians. Churches and other facilities have been destroyed.

While the military conflict is not strictly Muslim versus Christian, Christians and animists in the south are the most common victims of forces backed by the Muslim government. Atrocities by government forces and government-backed militias have been common, most recently in Darfur.

ASSESSING THE RELATIVE BRUTALITY of varying regimes isn't easy, and the level of repression sometimes changes over time. Unfortunately, many other nations have a claim to membership in the Dirty Dozen.

Cuba is a traditional communist dictatorship which registers religious organizations, harasses congregants, prevents churches from building or repairing worship facilities, forbids the distribution of religious materials, and bars church provision of social welfare services.

The Egyptian government discriminates in the provision of public services and benefits, arrests those who proselytize, and often ignores violent attacks on members of other faiths, especially members of the Coptic Church. Private discrimination and violence are common.

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