AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Hunger strike in 12 states for political prisoners, the Church has been asked to intervene

Monday, 22 June 2015

Mérida (Agenzia Fides) - The Archbishop of Merida, His Exc. Mgr. Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, yesterday met young people on hunger strike in Mérida, during his visit to the church of El Llano (see Fides 03/06/2015; 05/06/2015; 09/06/2015; 19/06/2015).
He has also received a letter in which the Church is asked to intervene as spokesperson before the Government.
The letter, sent to Fides, highlights the country’s situation, where demonstrations are being carried out by young people and adults on hunger strike, in 12 states in Venezuela out of 23, to ask the government to release political prisoners. The text also states that not even the Red Cross has been authorized to assist the prisoners.
Tension in Venezuela continues among organized groups that are asking the government for a definitive answer on the situation of the so-called "political prisoners", who for the government "do not exist". The request of the group of Mérida is addressed to the Episcopal Conference and the Nunciature, and is made, according to the students on hunger strike, because the group of prisoners has now reached the limit of endurance. It appears that there have been suicide attempts, the causes of which have not been made known: it is assumed for reasons of psychological pressure, for depression or psychological torture on behalf of those who run the detention center. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 22/06/2015)


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