The Prohibited and Unlawful Societies and Associations Act

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The Prohibited and Unlawful Societies and Associations Act (The Dread Act)

Origins
- In the early 1970s Rastafari spread in Dominica after students studied abroad.
- The movement’s anti-Catholic views, use of marijuana, and socialist ideas worried government officials.
- The government decided to take strong action.

Provisions
- The law allowed police to arrest Rastafari followers wearing dreadlocks without a warrant.
- People could be held for at least 48 hours without charges, and bail was often denied.
- The act also said that someone who killed or injured a Rastafari inside a person’s home could not be prosecuted.

Legislative history
- Prime Minister Patrick John and the Dominica Labour Party pushed the bill.
- It passed in the House of Assembly without opposition.

Impact
- The act gave immunity to people who attacked Rastafarians.
- Rastafarians were arrested, beaten, and sometimes killed under the act.
- Some dreadlocks were cut off by force; others cut their hair or fled to the forests.
- In 1975 the government announced amnesty for Rastafarians living in the forests, but many did not trust the government.
- A committee led by Reverend A. Didier found that many Rastafarians were peaceful, and recommended replacing the act with a law to fight terrorism, but the government rejected this.

Repeal
- Eugenia Charles opposed the bill at first but did not repeal it during her initial time in office.
- After kidnappings by Rastafari in the woods, she changed course.
- On February 16, 1981, the Prevention of Terrorism Temporary Provisions Act passed, and Section 18 repealed the Dread Act.