Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, Ruth Jones, has spoken out about the plight of the persecuted Church.

In an op-ed, she told Politics.co.uk: “Freedom of belief is an issue that is close to my heart. I pay tribute… to the unwavering strength of those who have suffered loss, baseless eviction from their homes, rejection from employment opportunities and imprisonment solely for their faith.”

Jones is an officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Highlighting the work of Christian anti-persecution organisations, she said: “The reports that reach MPs like me comprise hours upon hours of research on difficult topics like religious extremism, political oppression and government overreach.”

Jones has a personal Christian faith. Last month, she told Premier’s A Mucky Business podcast: “I became a Christian at 14. Being a Baptist chapel, I was dunked – and have been a Christian ever since.

“Parliament makes you realise you’ve got to put up – because you can’t shut up [about faith]… I can now say: ‘Yes, I am a Christian. ’”

In her piece for Politico, she reiterated her call for the government to address the persecution occurring in countries with which the UK trades, such as China.

“All United Nations member states have signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which covers freedom to adopt, change or retain one’s beliefs, and freedom from coercion,” she said.

“Despite this, there is a lack of accountability for those who fail to uphold these principles, leaving religious minorities around the world vulnerable to lifelong persecution.

“The UK has demonstrated great leadership in promoting freedom of religion and belief in recent years and, as long as there are people being denied these rights, must continue to do so.”