Opposition hails court ruling on dreadlocks, calls for gov’t to do more for Rastafarian community
Published:Tuesday | July 16, 2024 | 9:24 AM
Opposition Spokesperson on Culture and Creative Industries, Dr Deborah Hickling Gordon, is hailing the ruling of the Court of Appeal on Monday that Kensington Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine breached the constitutional rights of a female student who was denied access in 2018 after her family refused to trim her dreadlocks hair.
Outgoing president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Patrick Brooks, in handing down the decision, said, “It is declared that the policy of the board of management of Kensington Primary on the wearing of dreadlocks hairstyle has breached the following rights as they related to ZV rights.”
The judge noted that the child's right to freedom of expression and the right to equitable treatment by a public authority in the exercise off any function were violated.
The landmark decision overturned in part a 2020 decision of the Supreme Court that the school's policy did not breach the child's constitutional rights.
Hickling Gordon says the Opposition People's National Party finds it telling that the Government vigorously argued against the claim brought by the Rastafarian child, both at first instance and on appeal.
She is charging that the intent of the Government in this regard was clearly to negate her constitutional rights being judicially recognised and protected.
“By claiming in other situations to 'stand with the Rastafari community' while fighting in court to take away their rights, the Government's actions are nothing less than hypocritical and manipulative publicity efforts concerned only with optics; while in reality, they act in a manner that is opposite of what they are telling the country.”
Hickling Gordon says Monday's court ruling is a step in the right direction that should lead the Government towards addressing, in a meaningful manner, issues raised by the Rastafarian community.
“The Government needs to use this ruling as a clear indicator that it is time to actively move above and beyond the symbolism of celebratory days and apologies as recently proffered, to also respond with meaningful action on behalf of the Jamaican citizens who form the Rastafarian community.”
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