U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2002 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 7 October 2002 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2002 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines , 7 October 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3da3f08918.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Comments | This report is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. The law provides that the Secretary of State, with the assistance of the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, shall transmit to Congress "an Annual Report on International Religious Freedom supplementing the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom." This Annual Report includes 195 reports on countries worldwide. The 2002 Report covers the period from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2002. |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.
There was no change to the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion.
The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom.
The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
The island of St. Vincent and a chain of smaller islands, the Grenadines, have a total area of 150 square miles, and the country's population is approximately 112,000. The dominant religion is Christianity (Anglican, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Pentecostal). The minority religions are Rastafarianism, the Baha'i Faith, and Islam.
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The Government at all levels strives to protect this right in full, and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors.
The Government is secular and does not interfere with an individual's right to worship. Christian holy days such as Good Friday, Easter, Whit Monday, and Christmas are national holidays. The Government does not take any particular steps to promote interfaith understanding.
The Constitution provides for equal treatment under the law regardless of religion, and the Government generally adheres to this provision in practice.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Government policy and practice contributed to the generally free practice of religion. Members of the Rastafarian community continue to complain that law enforcement officials unfairly target them; however, it is not clear whether such complaints reflect discrimination on the basis of religious belief by authorities or simply enforcement of laws against the possession and use of marijuana, which is used as part of Rastafarian religious practice. Rastafarians also have complained to the press that when police arrest them, their dreadlocks are cut before their court hearing. However, according to prison officials, the law states that a person's hair or beard may not be cut unless a determination is made by a doctor that this is necessary on the basis of health or security, and that prison officials strictly follow that law. Lice are occasionally a concern and, subject to a doctor's recommendation, hair may be cut. According to officials, this regulation has been in existence for more than 10 years.
There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees.
Forced Religious Conversion
There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.
Section III. Societal Attitudes
Relations between the various religious communities are generally amicable. However, some members of society do not regard Rastafarianism favorably because of its popular association with drug use. The Christian Council of Churches conducts activities to promote greater mutual understanding and tolerance among adherents of different denominations within the Christian faith.
Section IV. U.S. Government Policy
The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom with the Government, local groups, and other organizations in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.
