Las Rastafari Mansions and Organizations –Rastafari Mansions and Organizations (RMO)– They dismissed the claims of Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Olivia Grange, regarding the rights of Rastafarians being already protected by the island's Constitution, arguing that there is no comprehensive legal framework that protects the community from systemic discrimination.
Grange questioned the past 3 of April, in the middle of a regional debate, the announcement of Saint Kitts and Nevis (St. Kitts & Nevis, officially) regarding being the first Caribbean nation to legally recognize the Rastafari movement, including provisions on identity, sacramental use of marijuana and economic concessions.
The Minister of Culture stated on the occasion that Jamaica had long provided protection to Rastafarians through its Constitution and other legislative measures.
Nevertheless, The RMO denied the Secretary of State in a statement stating that the Government's interpretation exaggerates the level of legal protection currently provided to Rastafarians in Jamaica.
“RMO refutes Minister Grange's recent statement in the media that recognition and rights of Rastafarians are already provided for within the constitutional and legislative framework of the Government of Jamaica (Goy). Jamaica's regional leadership's claim to legislatively protect Rastafari rights is false.", the organization stated.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the first Caribbean nation to recognize the Rastafarian faith in law
The law in Jamaica does not explicitly recognize Rastafari
The R.M.O., representing a broad coalition of Rastafarian communities and groups, argued that, Although the Constitution of Jamaica guarantees religious freedom, does not explicitly recognize Rastafari as a distinct faith or as an indigenous cultural group.
This omission, in the opinion of the entity, creates an uneven application of rights that depends on interpretation rather than a clear legal obligation.
“True recognition and protection requires a specific definition and its enshrinement in the Jamaican Constitution, along with provisions that guarantee a multidimensional legal status that can be applied to the different branches of government, with enforceable accountability. This hasn't happened yet.", added the RMO.
Comprehensive Rastafari Rights and Justice Law
The group also advocated for the establishment of a “Comprehensive Rastafari Rights and Justice Law” that integrates into a single regulation all the legislation that involves Rastafari organizations or people to definitively end discrimination.
“Innone of the government's legal provisions, neither individually nor collectively, creates a national system that protects Rastafarians from widespread discrimination in the police, the prisons, the schools, employment, access to land, medical care, the housing, culture and economic life. These are not isolated incidents, but rather reflect systemic and persistent oppression”, states the statement.
The organizations added that “the RMO's call for a Comprehensive Rastafari Rights and Justice Law constitutes a logical response to the current fragmentary provisions, that leave rights in a state of uncertainty, discretion and poor application. This is indefensible in a country that continues to aggressively commodify Rastafari in the ways already mentioned..
RMO assessed progress in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda
The organization also highlighted legislative advances in other parts of the region, praising the Saint Kitts and Nevis by its Law of Recognition of Rastafari Rights and to Antigua and Barbuda for sacramental protections under their cannabis laws, what, as he stated, offer more explicit legal recognition than Jamaica's current framework.
While he acknowledged that Jamaica has taken steps, in particular the amendment of 2015 to the Dangerous Drugs Law, that decriminalized small amounts of marijuana and allows its sacramental use, the RMO argued that those provisions remain limited and inconsistently applied on the ground.
“The flagrant violation of Rastafari sacramental rights remains a common practice, in which members are arrested, accused and suffer prolonged legal exposure before their rights are discretionarily respected.”, the statement said.
Criticism of the government for reconstruction after the hurricane
further, Rastafari groups expressed their concern and criticism of the response of the island's government in response to the Hurricane Melissa disaster.
RMO said relief efforts have not reached many members of the Rastafarian community or taken into account their cultural practices..
“After Hurricane Melissa, the government has not conducted any assessment or provided specific support to the Rastafarian community or the Aid initiative, Reconstruction and Resurgence (RRR, for its acronym in English) led by the RMO. Conventional aid initiatives are not reaching or benefiting the community, since they do not conform to dietary practices, Rastafarian cultural and health, declared the group.
