U.S. Dep't of State, 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Kitts and Nevis

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The constitution provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion. The government banned public marijuana usage except for registered places of worship of the Rastafarian religious community or any place authorized by the Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs Act. In June, the government announced the 2023 Rastafarian Rights Recognition Bill that provided the Rastafarian community with the legal right to access cannabis. In February, the Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, in collaboration with the local religious community, established a National Day of Prayer.

Government officials, students, community leaders and other members of the public attended the event. In March, the government allocated funding for the Department of Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs to include engagement and community outreach projects and programs. In September, the Ministry of Education issued updated guidelines for hair and hairstyles for schools across the federation. The guidelines permitted dreadlocks, afros, and cornrows for all students.

The government incorporated religious ceremonies into its events, including a music festival in June and a national day gospel concert in September. The Saint Kitts and Nevis Christian Council – which includes the Anglican, Methodist, Moravian, and Roman Catholic Churches; the Salvation Army; and the Evangelical Association, including the Church of God and Pentecostal Assemblies – continued to promote joint activities encouraging tolerance in schools and religious communities in both Saint Kitts and Nevis. There is no permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in the country. The U.S. Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to the government.

U.S. embassy officials met with representatives of the government, including from the Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, on issues of religious freedom, including the importance of respect for religious diversity and tolerance. During the year, embassy officials engaged with representatives of the Rastafarian community. The embassy promoted International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January, and recognized Christian, Chinese, Hindu, and Muslim holidays on the embassy’s official social media platforms. Section I. Religious Demography The U.S. government estimates the total population at 54,817 (midyear 2023).

According to the U.S. government, 75.6 percent of the population is Protestant, 5.9 percent Roman Catholic, 1.8 percent Hindu, and 1.3 percent Rastafarian. Jehovah’s Witnesses are 1.4 percent; other or unspecified are 5.1 percent; and 8.8percent say they have no religious affiliation. There is also a small Muslim community on both islands. Section II.

Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework The constitution provides for freedom of religion, including the freedom of individuals to change their religion. It prohibits discrimination based on religious belief. The Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Faith-based Affairs is responsible for registering religious groups. The registration process for religious groups is not yet standardized.

Religious groups are not required to register but doing so provides the government with a database of contacts through which it disseminates information on government policy for religious groups. Registration can be processed through the registrar general and allows religious groups to act as charities and to import religious items duty-free. A religious organization can be formed with a minimum of two persons. The constitution allows religious groups to establish and maintain schools at the groups’ own expense.

Public schools offer Christian religious instruction, daily prayers, and religious assemblies. Students who do not want to participate are exempt from all religious activities. Public and private schools require vaccinations for children to attend school, but religious exemptions are permitted. The law permits the private use of marijuana outside of public places, including for religious activities, as well as in registered spaces of worship for members of the Rastafarian faith.

In June, the government announced the 2023 Rastafarian Rights Recognition Bill that provided the Rastafarian community with the legal right to access cannabis. The law does not prohibit the wearing of dreadlocks; however, businesses may restrict the practice for safety or hygiene reasons. Occupational safety and health laws require all employees, including those with dreadlocks, to cover their hair when using dangerous equipment, handling food, or undertaking health-related activities. According to enacted legislation, the evangelical community has legal standing and the right to own land.

The country is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Government Practices According to Protestant and evangelical Christian groups, the government took several actions to support and promote religious freedom and tolerance. Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley oversaw the Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Faith-based Affairs. In February, the ministry, in collaboration with the local religious community, established a National Day of Prayer.

Government officials, community leaders, students and other members of the public attended the event. In March, the government allocated funding for the Department of Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs to include engagement and community outreach projects and programs. The Ministry meets regularly with pastors and churches to determine the challenges they face and to identify what community programs require the government’s assistance. In June, the government announced the 2023 Rastafarian Rights Recognition Bill, which provided the Rastafarian community with legal rights to access medical cannabis, established tax concessions, and created a legal framework for registration.

After Parliament approved the legislation, the Prime Minister, according to media reports, stated “We stand resolute in our decision to raise the level of equality and equity within our Federation and this is just one of the many steps forward in that direction as we continue to work towards becoming a sustainable island state… we must be mature enough to recognize that wrongs were done and we have the opportunity to correct some of those wrongs…I would like to apologize to the Rastafari community.” In September, the Ministry of Education issued updated guidelines for hair and hairstyles for all schools across the Federation. The guidance permitted natural dreadlocks, afros, and cornrows for all students with the goal of creating an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes religious diversity within the education system. The government incorporated religious ceremonies into its events, including a gospel music concert in June on the sidelines of their annual music festival and a national day gospel concert in September to inaugurate their 40th year of independence celebration. According to the Evangelical Association and media reports, faith-based organizations and religious leaders continued to be generally supportive of the government’s policies and consultations with religious leaders.

The government continued its National School Chaplaincy Program for public and private schools. The Ministry of Health continued to require immunization of all children before enrolling in school but allowed waivers for unvaccinated Rastafarian children to attend public schools. Some children of the Rastafarian community were homeschooled. Prison officials continued to allow Rastafarian prisoners to keep their dreadlocks unless they posed health-related issues or were used to transport contraband.

The prison did not provide different diets based on prisoners’ religious dietary restrictions. Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom The Saint Kitts and Nevis Christian Council, which includes the Anglican, Methodist, Moravian, and Catholic Churches, the Salvation Army, and the Evangelical Association, including the Church of God and Pentecostal Assemblies, continued to promote joint activities that encouraged tolerance for religious diversity in schools and the community. The president of the Evangelical Association reported interfaith dialogue between the association and the Christian Council continued to focus on a variety of topics including local and general elections, marijuana usage, and a legal debate on the constitutionality of the country’s law prohibiting same-sex consensual sexual activity.

The small Muslim community on the island of Nevis reported it maintained good relations with the Christian churches on the island and felt welcomed and supported. Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement There is no permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in the country. The U.S. Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to the government.

Embassy officials engaged government representatives from the previous and current governments, including officials from the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Faith-Based Affairs, on issues of religious freedom and the importance of respect for religious diversity and tolerance. In April, embassy officials engaged with representatives of the Rastafarian community and discussed religious freedom in the country and opportunities for engagement and promotion of religious equality. The embassy promoted International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January, and recognized Good Friday, and Easter on the embassy’s official social media platforms. The embassy also recognized National Religious Freedom Day, as well as Chinese Lunar New Year, Holi, Easter, and Ramadan on the embassy’s official social media platforms.

On This Page search > < EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Section I. Religious Demography Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom Legal Framework Government Practices Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom Section IV. U.S. Government Policy and Engagement Tags Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Office of International Religious Freedom Religious Freedom Reports Saint Kitts and Nevis