PM Drew To Lead CARICOM Committee On Rastafarian Rights

BASSETERRE: Outgoing CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, has been given responsibility for leading a new regional committee to advance the rights of Rastafarians across the Caribbean.

The new role comes as Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip Pierre, assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community today.

CARICOM leaders agreed to establish the committee to address the continuing discrimination and marginalisation faced by Rastafarians, including barriers to education, employment and full participation in public life.

The initiative will also include a regional consultation bringing together member states and key stakeholders to develop a coordinated approach to these issues.

Representatives from Barbados, Jamaica, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago will also serve on the committee.

Dr. Drew’s new regional responsibility builds on the landmark Rastafari rights recognition act enacted by the Labour Administration, making St. Kitts And Nevis the first country in the Caribbean to formally recognise Rastafarianism in law.

The legislation extends to the Rastafarian community the same legal protections afforded to other faith groups.

Several CARICOM member states are also taking steps to address historical injustices faced by Rastafarian’s, including public apologies, land grants and anti-discrimination legislation.