A/HRC/23/34/Add.2 Rastafarians account for 1.48 per cent of the population, while about 8.83 per cent of the population declare that they have no religion. 7. According to the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Country Poverty Assessment 2007-2008, Final Report, the difficulties the country has had in its programme of poverty reduction have to be seen against the decline of the banana industry, on which it was largely dependent, in the latter years of the 20th century as a new regime was put in place in the main export market and the World Trade Organisation rules became operative. The protection enjoyed by the banana industry was removed and other sectors providing sources of foreign exchange income were negatively affected. “Tourism was buoyant from time to time but the sector is small relative to the rest of the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” However, as also stated in the report, poverty and indigence have decreased from the 1995/1996 to 2007/2008.2 8. In 2008, levels of poverty were higher in the north-eastern part of Saint Vincent, in an area where the Callinagos (see below) were historically settled, than in the rest of the country. Interlocutors stressed that although this is still the case today, the gap has been decreasing; the assessment which would need to be confirmed by research. Interlocutors stressed in particular that considerable efforts in the area of education, as well as development of infrastructure linking the north-eastern and southern parts of the island, in particular Kingstown, has helped to alleviate poverty. The building of a bridge over the “dry river” in 2005 was mentioned many times, a crucial link which now allows people from the various communities to meet more often and to increase their economic, social and cultural relationships throughout the year. Previously, seasonal flooding impeded movements to and from this area. 9. According to numerous interlocutors, over the last decade, commendable efforts have been made by the Government to ensure better recognition of the country’s diverse cultural heritage, despite resource constraints. Public statements made at the highest level of the State were also referred to frequently as having created a climate favourable to cultural diversity. III. Normative and institutional framework A. National framework 1. Relevant constitutional provisions 10. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy on the Westminster model within the Commonwealth of Nations. Its 1979 Constitution guarantees a list of human rights, including freedom of conscience (art. 9), freedom of expression (art. 10), freedom of assembly and association (art. 11), freedom of movement (art. 12), protection against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed (art. 13).3 The Special Rapporteur notes that although these provisions are of high importance for the protection of cultural freedoms, no specific provision is devoted to cultural rights per se. 11. In 2009, an important constitutional referendum was held, but it was defeated, with 55.64 per cent of the population voting against the adoption of a new Constitution. The text included far-reaching reforms towards republicanism. New provisions relating to the 2 3 4 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Country Poverty Assessment 2007-2008, Final report, vol. I, p. xvi. A/HRC/WG.6/11/VCT/1.