In its Preamble, the constitution proclaims that Barbados is a sovereign nation that recognises the supremacy of God, the dignity of the human person, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Article 11 guarantees the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person, subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and the public interest. This includes, inter alia, freedom of conscience, expression, assembly and association, without distinction of race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex.
Conscientious objection to military service is recognised in Article 14 (3, c).
Article 19 (1) states that no person can be hindered in the enjoyment of their freedom of conscience, which includes freedom of thought and religion and freedom to change one’s religion or belief. It also entails the right to manifest one’s religion or belief and propagate it through worship, teaching, practice and observance, either alone or with others, in public or in private.
Article 19 (2) grants every religious community the right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, their own places of education.
Under Article 19 (3), no community or religious denomination can be prevented or hindered from offering education and religious instruction to its members, irrespective of whether it receives government subsidies or not.
Article 19 (4) stipulates that no one attending an educational establishment can be required to receive religious instruction or take part in a ceremony or observance that is not of the religion they profess without their express consent (or that of their guardian if they are under the age of 21).
Finally, according to Article 19 (5), no one can be required to take an oath against their beliefs or in a manner that contravenes their religion or beliefs.
Barbadian schools are regulated by the Education Act 1997 (Cap 41). The law stipulates that a child of school age can be exempted from compulsory attendance on several grounds, including religious observance (Article 42, 1, d). Parents who want their child exempted from compulsory attendance must apply for a certificate of exemption (Article 42, 2) to various authorities depending on the reason for the exemption (Article 42, 3, b).
Under Article 54 of the Act, admission or attendance in a public educational establishment is not conditional on: (a) attending or abstaining from attending a place of religious instruction or worship; (b) attending, if a parent objects, a religious observance or instruction in religious subjects at an institution or elsewhere; or (c) attending an institution on any day specially set apart for religious worship by the religious group to which pupils belong. Pupils are exempt from attending any religious observance upon parental request or until that request is withdrawn.
In 2019, the Parliament of Barbados passed the Sacramental Cannabis Act, 2019, granting the followers of the Rastafari religion the right to use cannabis for sacramental purposes, in a place of worship as well as in public.
In January 2020, during an event hosted by the Islamic community, Prime Minister Mia Mottley called for religious tolerance and diversity. She pointed out how the Caribbean region was welcoming to immigrants and people of other faiths, adding that her government was willing to work with different religious groups to foster closer relations.
In March 2020, the Prime Minister declared 22nd March as a National Day of Prayer for the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of health restrictions, Churches held the prayer online.
In May 2020, the Government of Barbados announced plans to reopen shops and restaurants, as well as churches with a maximum capacity of seven people.
In June 2020, the Minister of Labour, Colin Jordan, reported that consultations were held with the country's religious leaders in order to adopt measures to reopen churches.
In January 2021 some religious leaders called on the government to allow up to 10 people in religious services instead of only 3, even as they are broadcast only.
During the 2018-2020 period, the Rastafari community saw the religious use of cannabis approved. The country’s political authorities also explicitly undertook gestures in favour of the religious dimension in the community. Overall, the situation of freedom of religion in Barbados has ostensibly improved and the prospects for the future are positive.
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