MINISTER DUGGINS PROUD TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT BRINGS ABOUT EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, PARTICULARLY THE RASTAFARIAN COMMUNITY

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 21, 2023 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis passed a suite of legislation in the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, all with the intention of creating a more inclusive society in the twin island Federation, which respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens and residents.

The four bills passed were the  Smoking (Designated Areas) Bill, 2023 and the Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, both of which were moved by Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, and the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023 and the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023, moved by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Faith-based Affairs, Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.

Making his contribution to the debate, Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 4, the Honourable Samal Duggins said he truly welcomes legislation such as the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023, which promotes true equality among the people.

The Bill provides for the process of registration of Rastafari groups, recognition of various rights related to the use of cannabis by registered Rastafari groups, licencing for the freedom of conscience possession and use of cannabis in certain public places, and for other related matters.

“Here today, we are making a conscious effort to put into our legislation and clearly state in the passage of this Bill that Rastafarians are as equal as any one of us here in this country,” Minister Duggins said.

Moreover, the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023 facilitates the personal cultivation by adults of cannabis for private use in a secured area within a private residence and the personal possession and use of cannabis in certain public places within designated smoking areas for the enjoyment of a person’s freedom of conscience, including freedom of thought and of religion, and for related matters.

Minister Duggins said for too long members of the Rastafarian community were persecuted for the use of cannabis, even for their religious purposes.

He said, “It is important to recognize the cultural and religious significance of cannabis in the Rasta community. The use of cannabis is deeply rooted in their religious practices Madame Speaker, and for them, it is seen as a tool for meditation and connecting with their creator. For too long they have been prosecuted for that—Police kicking in their doors even when they are in their own privacy [but] today we stand here to help by putting it into our laws [to say] that those days have come to an end.”

“I stand proudly with my colleagues to legislate these incentives and these incentives will help in burning down any and every system of oppression and empower registered Rastafari groups to establish their gatherings, to establish businesses, to develop their lives freely and contribute to the economic development of our nation,” said Minister Duggins.

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