Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 21, 2023 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley apologized to the Rastafarian community for years of societal oppression and religious persecution that they have suffered throughout the history of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Apologies without actions are of no use to anyone. Our action today in moving for a safe passage of this Bill is one of the many steps this government plans to take to make things right for our Rasta brothers and sisters, elders and empresses,” said Dr. Hanley during the National Assembly on June 20 while moving the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023.
Honourable Dr. Hanley also said that the government is ensuring that Rastafarians are not only given the first chance “in profiting from our impending medicinal cannabis and cannabis tourism industries but that Rasta can have the sanctity and practice their religion in peace without any medicinal tags.”
He said that the 20th of June, 2023, will be another important day in the history of the Rastafari struggle.
“This is a momentous day because from this day forward, the men and women of our society that call themselves Rasta and subscribe to the Rastafari way of life will have their constitutional rights recognized and it will be part of our law forever,” he said.
He added also that he was happy to be tabling and leading the debate on the constitutionally important Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023, which was also passed on June 20.
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