Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The number of Rastafarians; in particular, the number of Rastafarians in each of the five "sects" of Rastafarians; whether Rastafarians face discrimination with regard to employment, housing, education and social acceptance (2003-October 2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | VCT43065.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The number of Rastafarians; in particular, the number of Rastafarians in each of the five "sects" of Rastafarians; whether Rastafarians face discrimination with regard to employment, housing, education and social acceptance (2003-October 2004), 1 November 2004, VCT43065.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df61c311.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| 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 only reference to the number of Rastafarians in the country that could be found by the Research Directorate was from a February 1994 United Nations (UN) document (UN 8 Feb. 1994). According to information included in the UN document, which was based on 1980 and 1991 Population and Housing Census data, the total number of Rastafarians living in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was 890 – 746 males and 144 females (ibid.). In a November 2003 UN report, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) noted that the periodic report to the UN by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines did "not contain information on the ethnic composition of the population, the various languages spoken, [or] on inter-ethnic relations," and recommended that such information be included in country's next periodic report (UN 1 Nov. 2003).
Information on the number of Rastafarians in each of the five "sects" of Rastafarians could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
With regard to discrimination faced by Rastafarians, the coordinator of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA) based in Kingstown stated in a 28 October 2004 telephone interview that her organization had not received any complaints from Rastafarians who faced discrimination in connection with housing, education or employment. However, the coordinator did mention that she was aware of some harassment of Rastafarians by the police for marijuana use and cultivation, which, considering the country's laws, "would be expected" (SVGHRA 28 Oct. 2004).
Country Reports 2003 (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 2c) and the International Religious Freedom Report 2004 (15 Sept. 2004, Sec. III) also provide some information about societal intolerance towards members of the Rastafarian community, based mainly on their use of marijuana. According to Country Reports 2003, while some Rastafarians complained that they were "unfairly targeted" by police officials, "it was not clear whether such complaints reflect discrimination on the basis of religious belief by authorities or simply enforcement of laws against marijuana, which is used as part of Rastafarian religious practice" (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 2c). The International Religious Freedom Report 2004 further mentioned that "some members of society do not hold Rastafarianism in high regard because of its popular association with marijuana use" (15 Sept. 2004, Sec. III).
Nevertheless, the UN CERD 2003 periodic report on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines noted its concern for the government's inability to provide information about the "economic, social and cultural situation of minority groups" within the country (1 Nov. 2003). In addition, the UN report expressed concern that the country's "constitution does not contain reference to economic, social and cultural rights" (UN 1 Nov. 2003).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines." United States Department of State. Washington, DC.
International Religious Freedom Report 2004. 15 September 2004. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines." United States Department of State. Washington, DC.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA). 28 October 2004. Telephone interview with coordinator.
United Nations (UN). 1 November 2003. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). General Assembly, Official Records, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 18 (A/58/18). Consideration of Reports, Comments and Information Submitted by States Parties Under Article 9 of the Convention. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines."
_____. 8 February 1994. International Human Rights Instruments. Core Document Forming Part of the Reports of State Parties: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. (HRI/CORE/1/Add.36)
Additional Sources Consulted
Interent sites, including: Adherents.com, CIA World Factbook, Ethnologue.com, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Searchlight [Kingstown], United Nations Population Information Network (POPIN), World News Connection/Dialog.
