The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally respected religious freedom. The government did not demonstrate a trend toward either improvement or deterioration in respect for and protection of the right to religious freedom.
There were reports of societal discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Rastafarians alleged that the overwhelmingly Christian population discriminated against them, although there are signs of increasing acceptance. Rastafarians alleged that elements of their religion, such as wearing dreadlocks and smoking marijuana, presented serious barriers to their ability to find employment and achieve professional status in the official economy.
The U.S. government occasionally discussed religious freedom with the government and with civil society as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.