Jamaican Ras Ivi Tafari, director of the Rastafari Cutting Edge Cultural Inity group, accused anger and annoyance by the Rastafari community regarding the violation of human rights suffered by the young Nzinga King, who while in police custody, unexpectedly and without his authorization he suffered a total cut of his dreadlocks by a member of the police station.
"This angers us. The world community is furious. The government is pressuring us to do things we don't want to do, because it seems that if one does not burn tires, blocks roads and behaves in a boisterous manner, they don't listen to your voice “, Tafari told the local newspaper The Gleaner.
Tafari demanded that the policewoman accused of cutting Nzinga's dreadlocks should be relieved of her duties while investigations into the matter are carried out..
“That police officer cannot be there at Four Paths administering police duties when in reality he is a criminal in his actions.. Thus, We request your removal from your duties pending an outcome of this case. “.
Said if the suggestion is not considered, the rasta community will be forced to protest.
“Other Rasta communities and agencies in Jamaica are saying: ‘Found, we are ready when you are, We will march with you because it is time for this to come to an end. '. The government of Jamaica must do something and, if it doesn't, we will have to take the necessary measures ", He said.
And I add: “this woman deleted 19 years of the sacred covenant. I should go open a salon or a hairdresser, since he likes to cut his hair very much ", said tafari furious.
Ras Ivi told The Gleaner that members of the Rastafarian faith in Chile, France, Ethiopia and other countries have been expressing their concerns.
“They are calling to ask what is happening in Jamaica and they thought Jamaica was a Rastafarian paradise. This situation makes Jamaica look bad, makes other islands think they can too, why, if the founding fathers and mothers still suffer, Why should your government show you respect? ”, express.
The elder and renowned Rastafarian leader of the Nyahbinghi Order questioned the profit and marketing the island generates around iconic Rastafarian reggae figures., but nevertheless, but nevertheless, In practice, they continue to be an oppressed group and constantly express the violation of their fundamental rights..
How can Jamaica put the image of Bob Marley to attract foreigners to the country when Rastas in Jamaica are being disenfranchised and not respected?? It seems some of these cops have that old trend in mind that, when they see Rasta, they should think about 'cuts and brutality’ “.
Tafari said laws should be enacted to protect the rights of Rastas, and added that the measure must be done for a long time.
“The violation of spiritual rights and privileges, religious, social and fundamental aspects of a person must be punishable under the law, and Rasta is not an exemption”, He said.
In the same direction, Monifa Hope-Morgan, undersecretary of the oldest Rastafarian subgroup, the Nyabinghi Order, stated that Rastafari are only accepted for commercial and capitalist purposes in Jamaica.
"We are good at promoting reggae, we are good at promoting tourism, but we are not good at existing alone ", he said and added that after 100 years, it is unfortunate that there is still a discussion about the punishment of Rastafarians.
