The Haiti Episcopal Conference announced on Tuesday that three days after schools, universities and other institutions were closed, the release of the 12 religious kidnapped for ten days on the outskirts of the capital will be demanded.
“Ten days in the hands of the kidnappers is too long. We see with pain the lack of change in the situation of our brothers and sisters in the hands of the bandits,” said a statement in Port-au-Prince.
The closing of the activities takes place between this Wednesday and Friday, dates when the priests will continue to hold mass in the morning or afternoon.
On Friday afternoon, the bells of all the churches in the country are ringing to demand the release of the hostages, if they have not yet been released. Since the end of 2019, Haiti has been facing a wave of kidnappings never seen before in its history, as kidnappings take place every day and all groups in society are victims of kidnapping, despite the impotence of the authorities.
On the 14th, the church held a protest day to denounce the kidnapping of the twelve religious that took place the previous weekend. This event led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe last week, who has been replaced by Claude Joseph.
Haiti is experiencing a deep political, economic and social crisis, which has resulted in the postponement of elections, growing food insecurity and the emigration of thousands of people.