The constitution, laws, and decrees provide for freedom of religion and worship, and prohibit discrimination based on religion. The constitution recognizes Catholicism as the religion of the majority of citizens but not as the state religion. Public schools are required to teach Catholicism but parents have the option of exempting their children from religion classes. The government generally turned to Catholic clergy to conduct religious invocations. Some non-Catholic groups said the government provided preferential distribution of subsidies to Catholic-run private schools for salaries and operating expenses.
Muslims and Rastafarians reported some discrimination in employment. Some Muslims stated they failed to receive job offers when interviewers, particularly evangelical Protestants, assessed them based on their dress and appearance rather than their job qualifications.
The Ambassador and other embassy officials met several times with Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and evangelical Protestant leaders to discuss issues related to religious freedom, including societal perceptions and treatment of members of religious groups.