Caribbean Community governments are preparing to hold formal discussions with representatives of the Rastafarian community as part of efforts to address long standing concerns over discrimination, exclusion and historical injustices across the region.

The decision follows a virtual meeting of CARICOM presidents and prime ministers in early May, although details of the discussions were disclosed only this week by the Guyana based CARICOM Secretariat. Officials said arrangements are now being made for a high level meeting with Rastafarian representatives in the coming days.

According to the Secretariat, regional leaders examined the issue in light of persistent complaints that Rastafarians continue to face unequal treatment both within the Caribbean and internationally.

The statement said member states recognised that many Rastafarians still experience barriers in education, employment and public life. Leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the full recognition and protection of the rights of Rastafarians as equal members of society.

Governments have agreed to establish a working committee comprising representatives from Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The committee will consider matters affecting Rastafarians at both the regional and international levels and recommend measures to address outstanding concerns.

The Secretariat noted that several member states have already introduced initiatives aimed at correcting historical injustices. These include official public apologies, land grants and legislation intended to protect individuals from workplace discrimination.

Among the most significant incidents cited was the 1963 Coral Gardens confrontation in Jamaica, one year after the country’s independence. More than 150 Rastafarians were arrested, beaten, tortured and detained following violence at a petrol station in Montego Bay. The incident followed months of heightened tensions between security forces and Rastafarian communities over issues including marijuana use and allegations of extrajudicial killings.

Jamaica formally apologised for the Coral Gardens atrocities in 2017, but regional officials maintain that additional measures are needed to address the legacy of those events and other longstanding grievances.

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