The unstoppable crisis in Haiti, which worsened just a month ago, prevented Haitians from complying with many of the Easter traditions this Good Friday, mainly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where 90% of the territory is under the control of gangs. armed.
This year, the crowded and colorful processions or the Stations of the Cross that, traditionally on the occasion of Holy Week, are carried out by parishioners of the Catholic Church of the impoverished Caribbean country are left behind.
Thus, in a context marked by a crisis at all levels, the religious lived this day in meditation, although many defied the current climate of insecurity and went to mass.
They pray for peace in Haiti
In churches such as Saint Pierre, in Petion-ville, and Our Lady of Altagrace, in Delmas, both in the capital, EFE observed dozens of people praying for peace in the country.
Young people, adults and the elderly, but mostly children, many of them with images of Jesus, packed these churches, to remember the Calvary of Christ and the suffering of the Haitian people.
Priests and parishioners called for an end to the crisis, which has worsened since February 29 when armed gangs united and spread terror to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, currently in the United States and who has agreed to resign as soon as possible. a transitional presidential council is made official.
Police presence and urgent actions
Many of them dared to take to the streets thanks to a police increase on some of the public roads, where EFE was able to see several patrols this Friday.
And the head of the National Police himself, Frantz Elbé, promised this week that the entity “will not stop fighting” for the safety of the population, to whom he promised “better results.”
In a message addressed to the agents and citizens, the official congratulated his subordinates for their daily dedication “to the fight against banditry” and for their presence on the ground “to continue protecting the life and well-being of the population.”
However, given the cataclysm that Haiti is experiencing, as described by the UN on Thursday, organizations such as Human Rights Watch are calling for urgent actions to help mitigate the situation.
Measures for democracy
In a statement, Human Rights Watch recommended measures to enable democratic governance, the protection of human rights, and access to essential goods and services.
“It is essential that Haitian, regional and international leaders act to prevent the situation from spiraling even further out of control and truly support Haitians on the path to democratic governance, basic security, the rule of law and access to basic needs,” said Nathalye Cotrino, crisis and conflict researcher for the organization.
Likewise, Human Rights Watch considered urgent the installation of a transitional government composed “of prominent Haitians who are not tarnished by credible accusations of corruption, support for criminal groups, human rights violations or other serious crimes.”
The Presidential Council in charge of carrying out the transition is finalizing its official inauguration, which will be followed by the appointment of a prime minister, with whom it will form a Government of National Unity.
Once this institution is implemented, the current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, will leave power, as he himself announced in a message to the nation from Puerto Rico, where he was stranded earlier this month after a trip to Kenya to treat about the sending of the multinational security support mission that Haiti expects. With EFE
