Terms and Definitions

OIDAC Europe uses the OSCE/ODIHR definition of hate crime: a criminal offence committed with a bias motive. Anti-Christian hate crimes target people because of their actual or perceived Christian identity, or property associated with Christianity. They include physical attacks, threats, arson, vandalism and desecration where the conduct constitutes a criminal offence and indicators point to anti-Christian bias.

Bias indicators include hostile statements or symbols, the targeting of religiously significant buildings or objects, the nature of the attack, and its timing. ODIHR also identifies the absence of another clear motive as a reason to consider bias motivation. These indicators are assessed together to identify potentially anti-Christian crimes. ODIHR’s 2025 practical guide, Understanding Anti-Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities, provides guidance on recognising these crimes, supporting victims and protecting Christian communities.

Discrimination based on religion or belief means unjustified unequal treatment or disadvantage because of religious identity or convictions. OIDAC Europe documents cases affecting Christians in employment, political participation, access to services and funding. Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion in the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms protected by the Convention.

Discrimination can be direct, such as excluding someone explicitly because of their Christian beliefs, or indirect, where an apparently neutral rule places people sharing a religion or belief at a particular disadvantage without sufficient justification. OIDAC Europe documents increasing pressure on Christians in workplaces and academic settings, including exclusion for peacefully expressing their convictions. While courts have upheld protections against religious discrimination in several cases, challenging such treatment often entails considerable personal and financial costs.

Religious freedom restrictions are laws, policies or official actions limiting the exercise of freedom of religion or belief, protected by Article 9 ECHR and Article 18 ICCPR. OIDAC Europe examines restrictions affecting Christians’ worship, public expression, evangelism, conscience, religious autonomy and parental rights, including cases involving criminal prosecution for peacefully expressing or practising their faith.

Religious freedom protects private and public, individual and communal expressions of faith. Related guarantees protect parents’ right to ensure education in accordance with their convictions and religious communities’ autonomy over their internal affairs, leadership and membership. Freedom to hold or adopt a belief is absolute. Restrictions on its manifestation must be prescribed by law, pursue a permitted legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate. OIDAC Europe assesses restrictions against these safeguards, including measures that do not explicitly address religion.

Social hostility refers to hostility towards people or communities because of their religion or belief, expressed by individuals, groups or organisations. OIDAC Europe uses the term for anti-Christian intimidation, harassment, negative stereotyping and other expressions of intolerance in society. It encompasses both hate crimes and hostility that does not meet the criminal threshold required by OSCE/ODIHR.

Pew Research Center distinguishes government restrictions on religion from social hostility originating in society. Its Social Hostilities Index covers religiously biased crimes, violence, intimidation and other acts affecting religious communities. Social hostility is therefore broader than OSCE/ODIHR’s hate crime definition, which requires both a criminal offence and a bias motive. OIDAC Europe also examines hostile media and public narratives that stigmatise Christians or delegitimise their peaceful participation in public life.