Article 13 of the Constitution protects the freedom of association, with limitations on the grounds of defence, public safety, public order, public morality and public health, while actions that restrict public officials, police officers or defence force staff are also prohibited. These freedoms are generally respected, and a wide range of civil society groups, including human rights groups, women’s rights groups, environmental organisations, faith-based bodies and trade unions are reported to be able to operate freely. Challenges CSOs face include those of financial sustainability, with Jamaica classed as a middle-income country and therefore no longer able to access much development aid.During its 2015 UPR review, the government of Jamaica did not accept that human rights defenders, including LGBTI rights defenders, were under threat, and so took the view that no additional measures are needed to protect human rights defenders or combat LGBTI exclusion.

The Constitution’s Article 13 also protects the freedom of assembly, with limitations on the grounds of defence, public safety, public order, public morality and public health, while actions that restrict public officials, police officers or defence force staff are also prohibited. Permission for assembly must be obtained from the police force and local authorities, who must be assured that assemblies will be within the law. Police forces generally intervene only if a protest blocks traffic or otherwise prevents the movement of people. As well as strikes, unions regularly hold workplace demonstrations. A landmark was achieved in 2015 when the first Pride demonstration was held in Jamaica.

Article 22 of the Constitution upholds the freedom of expression, with a number of exceptions, including on the grounds of defence, public safety, public order, public morality and public health, while actions that harm the rights and reputations of other or restrict public officials, police officers or defence force staff are also prohibited. These rights are generally exercised, and there is a range of privately-owned newspapers and radio stations that express a variety of views. Although TV is largely state-owned, it also offers a plurality of viewpoints. There are no limitations on internet access. Jamaica scores highly for the region on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, and there are no recent reports of killings of journalists. There are, however, occasional concerns about critical journalists being harassed during prime ministerial press conferences, and intimidation in periods around elections.Criminal defamation was repealed in 2013. However, there are reports that journalists have continued to practise self-censorship out of fear of being threatened with civil defamation suits by state actors. An access to information law has been in effect since 2004, but is criticised for making broad exceptions that potentially grant excessive scope for the use of discretion by state officials.