Jamaica's Culture Minister Olivia Grange. Photo: Jamaica Gleaner

Speaking with The Gleaner on the sidelines of the 63rd anniversary of the 1963 Coral Gardens Incident last Friday, Culture Minister Olivia Grange said that Jamaica’s legal system has historically recognised Rastafari as a legitimate religion.

“Jamaica, in our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, we recognise all religions, and we have always identified Rastafari as a religion,” she said.

The Charter itself makes this explicit. Section 13(3)(b) states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, including freedom of thought and of religion, and freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”

The Charter, enacted in 2011, strengthened constitutional protections for religion and human rights. Although it does not name individual religions, its provisions guarantee equal protection to all faiths practised in Jamaica, including Rastafari, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Rastafarians also have specific legal protections for the use of ganja for religious and sacramental purposes, stemming from amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act in 2015.

Beyond constitutional guarantees, Grange noted that several Rastafarian organisations have received formal recognition through parliamentary processes.

“We also have Rastafarian churches that have been registered in Parliament through private members’ motions and recognised ... . We also have the Rastafari mansions. Some have been established as benevolent societies, like the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society, and they are entitled to all the benefits that come with being recognised as a bona fide organisation or church,” she explained.

Prominent groups include the Nyabinghi Order, known for its drumming ceremonies and emphasis on African repatriation; the Bobo Ashanti, founded by Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards and distinguished by their communal lifestyle; the Twelve Tribes of Israel; and the Church of Haile Selassie I. The Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society stands as a symbol of resilience, formed by survivors of the 1963 crackdown.

Grange welcomed steps taken elsewhere in the region, but maintained that Jamaica has led the way in recognising the Rastafari faith and advancing reparatory justice initiatives.

“I am happy to see what St Kitts has done, ... [but] Jamaica has led the way in these areas,” she said.

The issue arose after St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew declared that his administration had taken historic steps to formally recognise the Rastafari faith within its legal framework.

In Parliament, Drew said Rastafari is deeply embedded in the country’s culture and that members of the community deserve equal rights and constitutional protections.

“When you look around St Kitts and Nevis, everybody knows somebody who is a Rasta. My mother is a Rasta, and I can bet everybody in here almost has some family member, if not close, distant, who is Rastafarian in their family,” Drew said.

“This administration took those bold steps, Madam Speaker, to ensure that the constitution is abided by and the Rastafari community can benefit from the rights and protections enshrined in our constitution, just like anyone else,” he added.

The discussion comes as Jamaica continues efforts to address historical injustices against the Rastafarian community, including apology and restitution measures linked to the Coral Gardens crackdown, during which Rastafarians were detained and persecuted.