The UK Government should consider introducing a legal test to ensure claims of conscience and faith are reasonably accommodated, according to a new report released today.

Enforcing Human Rights was published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights and comes following an extensive public inquiry into how human rights are enforced across the UK.

CARE submitted a response to the inquiry and argued that when it comes to the right to freedom of religion and belief, a formal mechanism of reasonable accommodation is needed to ensure that right is strengthened.

In the report's conclusion, the Committee said the Government should consider a legal test to ensure claims of conscience and faith are reasonably accommodated within the wider human rights framework: “The Government should consider the introduction of a legal test to ensure that claims of conscience and faith are reasonably accommodated within the human rights framework. The rights of minority groups will always be vulnerable, and the acid test of an effective human rights system is that it must protect these groups, while ensuring the rights of the majority are also respected."

CARE’s James Mildred said: “Providing space for religious beliefs in the public square is essential. But all too often other rights seem to take precedent over the right to freedom of religion and belief.

"The principle of reasonable accommodation is a vital mechanism to help ensure claims of freedom and conscience are protected. I hope the government pays close attention to this recommendation from the Joint Committee on Human Rights and investigates ways to introduce this mechanism as soon as possible.”

You can read CARE's full submission to the inquiry here