Libya continues to be a place with very little political stability. Much of the country exists in a sort of perpetual anarchy, ruled over by militias linked to the official government (in the West of the country) or by the Libyan National Army (in the East), with strong Islamist influences in both cases. Due to lawlessness, Christians can easily be targets for violence and death.

Converts from Islam face the most intense and violent pressure from their family and community. They risk house arrest, attack, abduction, sexual violence and murder. It is incredibly dangerous for converts to meet together to worship, and church life is almost non-existent. 

Even Christians who aren’t Libyan or converts are at risk. Christians from other parts of Africa are targeted by extremist groups. Christians have been kidnapped and, in a few high-profile incidents, brutally murdered. Christians from Sub-Saharan Africa—many of whom come to Libya as displaced people trying to get to Europe—face additional risk. Because of their lack of official status, they can be kidnapped and trafficked, and extremist groups target these believers, as well.