Christians do not have a right to wear a cross or crucifix openly at work, the UK Government is to argue in a landmark court case, the Sunday Telegraph is reporting. The main argument of the UK government being that because it is not a “requirement” of the Christian faith, employers can ban the wearing of the cross and sack workers who insist on doing so. The European Court of Human Rights is set to look into the legality of this ban. The UK government is said to retaliate because of the opposition by conservatives to its bid to legalize same-sex marriage.

Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”

The victims claim that they were discriminated against but UK government says that it is not a “requirement of the faith” and therefore does not fall under the remit of Article 9.

In addition, the victims argue that Christians are given less protection than members of other religions who have been granted special status for garments or symbols such as the Sikh turban and kara bracelet, or the Muslim hijab.