British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a call of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world during a Christmas video released on December 24.

“I want us to remember those Christians around the world who are facing persecution. For them, Christmas Day will be marked in private, in secret, perhaps even in a prison cell,” Johnson said.

“As Prime Minister, that’s something I want to change. We stand with Christians every-where, in solidarity, and will defend your right to practice your faith,” he continued.

In December 2018, the UK Foreign Office called for an independent inquiry of international Christian persecution, which was released over the summer.

Johnson is the second high-ranking member of the British establishment to make an appeal for persecuted Christians in the days leading up to Christmas.

On Dec. 18, Prince Charles denounced this year’s Easter attack on churches in Sri Lanka as “an assault on religious freedom everywhere.”

The bombings by an Islamic State-affiliated group killed over 250 people, and injured over 500 others.