North Korea’s ruling ideology, Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, treats religion as an existential threat. Punishments for defying draconian religious restrictions include forced labor, prison, torture, and execution. North Korean refugees in China face severe punishment upon repatriation if they engage in religious activities, including contact with Christian missionaries and NGOs. Authorities harshly punish traditional shamanistic practices and youth caught engaging in religious activities. 

Religious freedom conditions in Nigeria are particularly severe as the government continues to tolerate, inadequately respond, or fail to hold FoRB violators accountable. Multiple nonstate actors regularly kill, kidnap, and attack Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists. Schools, missions, and houses of worship are targets for Entities of Particular Concern and other non-state actors. Twelve northern states enforce blasphemy laws against atheists and others.  

Iraq’s religious communities face ongoing challenges 11 years after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) waged genocide against religious and ethnic minorities. Iraq has improved some FoRB conditions while falling short in others, such as blasphemy laws and changes to personal status legislation. The widespread failure to curb the growing power of Iran-affiliated militias and other malign actors remains a persistent threat to the security and existence of various religious communities.