LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. Passengers on public buses have been the victims of robbery at roadblocks and bus stops, during daytime and nighttime hours. The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. Corruption: On June 10, Marco Bogrn, former director of INVEST-H, the government entity tasked with making COVID-19 pandemic relief contracts with private firms, was found guilty of aggravated fraud and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of 1.475 billion lempiras ($58.7 million). The four were accused of the 2020 killing of Flix Vsquez, leader of the Union of Field Workers, a member of the Lenca community, an environmental activist, and a LIBRE Party candidate for Congress. In most prisons, only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. Title insurance is not widely available in Honduras and approximately 80% of the privately held land in the country is either untitled or improperly titled. Indigenous groups included the Miskito, Tawahka, Pech, Tolupn, Lenca, Maya-Chort, and Nahua. Observers noted several significant improvements in transparency procedures, including electoral reforms, an updated voter registry, new national identification cards, and new technologies that included a biometric verification system and a preliminary results transmission system. The law provides a maximum sentence of three years in prison for disobeying a restraining order connected with the crime of violence against a woman. (white sedan taxis with a sticker on the windshield denoting its established route), (private white sedan taxis with no established routes), and, (small buses that pick up multiple riders). La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. In July, police arrested two men. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated and arrested members of the military accused of human rights abuses. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State A 2019 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights report noted there were insufficient hospital beds and inadequate supplies at the only hospital that serviced Gracias a Dios Department, home to most of the Miskito community. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. Since its inception in 2016, MACCIH has worked with the Public Ministry to achieve success on several significant cases, including against current and former public officials. The government sometimes applied penalties against violators, but failure to collect fines facilitated continued labor code wage and hour violations. Enforcement of OSH standards was particularly weak in the construction, garment assembly, and agricultural sectors, as well as in the informal economy. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Although its specialists occasionally cannot provide the U.S. standard of care, the hospital and diagnostic departments do have the capability to provide most medical procedures. CONAPREV reported every prison had a functioning health clinic with at least one medical professional, but basic medical supplies and medicines were in short supply throughout the system. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. -threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. Official data on forced displacement, especially displacement due to violence, was limited in part because gangs controlled many of the neighborhoods where individuals were forced from their homes and communities (see section 6, Displaced Children). Gracias a Diosis a remote location where narcotics trafficking is frequent, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police/military presence is scarce. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. The governments National Policy to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination seeks to promote equality and combat discrimination related to the countrys two Afro-descendent and seven Indigenous groups (see below), with a focus on social and political participation; access to education, health care, justice, and employment opportunities; and rights to ancestral lands and natural resources. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. CONADEH reported 31 cases of alleged torture or cruel and inhuman treatment by security forces through August, while the Public Ministry received 10 such reports through July. Criminal groups, including local and transnational gangs and narcotics traffickers, were significant perpetrators of violent crimes and committed acts of homicide, torture, kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, intimidation, and other threats and violence directed against human rights defenders, judicial authorities, lawyers, business community members, journalists, bloggers, women, and other vulnerable populations. There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees. Under the inspection law, the Secretariat of Labor has the authority to temporarily shut down workplaces where there is an imminent danger of fatalities. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. The law prohibits employment discrimination based on gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political opinion or affiliation, marital status, race or ethnicity, national origin, language, place of residence, religion, family or economic situation, disability, or health, including HIV or AIDS status. The law provides citizens the right to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on nearly universal and equal suffrage. The Secretariat of Human Rights served as an advocate for human rights within the government. Authorities continued to investigate the incident. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Todd J. The purpose of the labor stoppage and demonstrations was to denounce the nonpayment of wages by the Secretariat of Health and other issues. On May 1, unknown assailants killed Alonso Salgado, a former member of the neighborhood council of the Ro Tinto Garfuna community and a member of the Garfuna rights organization OFRANEH, in Tela, Atlntida Department. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. A study by the National Violence Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) placed the country as the most violent territory in Central America, with a homicide rate of 38.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. The government has a police investigative unit dedicated to investigating violent crimes against the LGBTI+ and other vulnerable communities, composed of Public Ministry prosecutors, members of ATIC (prosecutors investigative agency), and the Honduran National Police; however, it has limited resources and functions primarily in the major urban areas. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. The Secretariat of Labor posted job opportunity announcements that specified a gender requirement. The government did not effectively enforce the law. Former First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo was found guilty of fraud and misappropriation of public funds during a retrial on March 17. Government Human Rights Bodies: A semiautonomous commissioner for human rights, Blanca Izaguirre, served as ombudsperson and investigated complaints of human rights abuses. For crimes with minimum sentences of six years imprisonment, the law authorizes pretrial detention of up to two years. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. Employers frequently penalized agricultural workers for taking legally authorized days off. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture, with U.S. companies and organizations receiving the tools they need to cope with security issues in a foreign environment. Gangs control some of the taxi services. Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes all forms of rape, including spousal rape. The United Nations reported the adolescent birth rate was 89 births per 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19. The Honduran government is modernizing some of the main transportation road networks to four-lane highways, which can lead to increased travel times because of ongoing construction. However, kidnapping figures are likely lower than reality, as families of kidnapping victims often pay ransoms without reporting these crimes to police out of fear of retribution. Campbell, who had been on the run for five years after being charged with money laundering in Honduras, was arrested in June 2021 in Nicaragua. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. These reporting centers were in addition to the 298 government-operated womens offices one in each municipality that provided a wide array of services, focusing on education, personal finance, health, social and political participation, environmental stewardship, and prevention of gender-based violence. Honduras - United States Department of State Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. The Secretariat of Labor may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. Although the country experiences one of its lowest homicide rates in the last decade, authorities recorded 3,496 violent . Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 33 cases of arbitrary arrest through August. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Workers had difficulty exercising the rights to form and join unions and to engage in collective bargaining. Persons with HIV and AIDS continued to be targets of discrimination, and they suffered disproportionately from gender-based violence. In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. For more information, please visit OSAC.gov . On July 14, alleged members of the MS-13 gang wearing antigang unit uniforms killed Said Lobo Bonilla, son of former President Porfirio Lobo, and three other persons in a targeted attack in Tegucigalpa. About. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. The law allows bail for persons charged with some felonies and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. The Public Ministry reported 11 cases of alleged illegal detention or arbitrary arrest as of September. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Observers noted this effort was insufficient due to inadequate budget allocations, limited or no services in rural areas, absence of or inadequate training about and awareness of domestic violence among police and other authorities, and male-dominant culture and norms. According to a November 2019 study entitled Plan for Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Central District and Comayaguela, 48% of passengers reported having been assaulted one time in the past 12 months while traveling on a Rapidito, 31% twice, 11% three times, and 10% more than three times. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. Child Abuse: The law establishes prison sentences of up to two and one-half years for child abuse. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. Honduras and U.S. Relations. Informal Sector: Most workers were in the informal sector. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. International observers generally recognized the elections as free and fair. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. There were no reports of this law being used to limit womens employment. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. Overseas Security Advisory Council - Homepage - U.S. Embassy Discrimination and Societal Abuses, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination, Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics, Other Societal Violence and Discrimination, a. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks Here are three reasons the International Rescue Committee's Emergency Watchlist ranks Honduras among 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crisis in 2022. CONADEH received no reports of racial or ethnic discrimination as of August. On September 21, the court sentenced her to more than 14 years in prison and ordered her to pay a fine of more than 13 million lempiras ($518,000). Several anonymous social media sites, possibly linked to political parties, criticized journalists (as well as activists and civil society organizations) who were critical of the government or of opposition party policies. The law places restrictions on these rights, such as requiring that a recognized trade union represent at least 30 workers, prohibiting foreign nationals from holding union offices, and requiring that union officials work in the same substantive area of the business as the workers they represent. The law grants prisoners the right to prompt access to a lawyer of their choice and, if indigent, to government-provided counsel, although the public defender mechanism was weak, and authorities did not always abide by these requirements. Some passengers opt to travel armed when using public transportation, which sometimes results in armed confrontations where innocent bystanders are injured or killed in the crossfire. The National Interinstitutional Security Force coordinates the overlapping responsibilities of the National Police, Military Police of Public Order, National Intelligence Directorate, and Public Ministry during interagency operations. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. In 2019 (most recent data), 94 percent of births were attended by skilled health-care personnel; however, NGOs reported significant gaps in obstetric care, especially in rural areas. Honduras received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation in the development of an e-procurement platform and public procurement auditing. For more in-depth information, review OSACs. World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch The law requires that persons with disabilities have access to buildings, but few buildings were accessible, and the government did not effectively implement laws or programs to provide such access. On April 28, the National Congress repealed the 2014 hourly wage law, thus bringing all employees under the national labor code and eliminating the previous differences in labor benefits between hourly, temporary, and permanent employees. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices. The Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH), established in 2016 through an agreement between the government and the Organization of American States. Transgender women were particularly vulnerable to employment and education discrimination; many could find employment only as sex workers, increasing their vulnerability to violence and extortion. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Abusers caught in the act may be detained for up to 24 hours as a preventive measure. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. NOTE: OSAC RESOURCE TASK GROUP (RTG . NGOs reported 33 violent deaths as of October and 17 hate crimes against LGBTQI+ persons as of August. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Office of the U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. The law does not criminalize domestic violence but provides penalties of up to 12 years in prison for violence against a family member, depending on the severity of the assault and aggravating circumstances. The law allows the release of other suspects pending formal charges, on the condition that they periodically report to authorities, although management of this reporting mechanism was often weak. The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights. During July 2019 alone, the cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa recorded 11 attacks leaving 15 people dead, mostly taxi drivers and bus drivers. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Overseas Security Advisory Council - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. By law, workers may remove themselves from situations that endanger their health or safety without jeopardizing continued employment. Although reports of kidnappings have dropped considerably in recent years, they continue to affect both the local and expatriate communities, with victims sometimes paying large ransoms for the prospect of release. In some industries, including agriculture, domestic service, and security, employers did not respect maternity rights or pay minimum wage, overtime, or vacation. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. January to December 2019, Secretariat of Security Honduran National Police. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Spurred by anger with the government over accusations of public corruption, allegations of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and efforts to pass controversial education reform, protests and demonstrations were near-daily occurrences at times during 2019. the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatn). Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) - United States Department of Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Congressional Research Service - Honduras - 2019, 2020. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. OSAC provides the latest safety- and security-related information, public announcements, travel advisories, terrorist group profiles, country crime and safety reports, and more to its constituency of more than 4,600 U.S. companies and organizations with overseas interests. The following day, protesters started a fire outside of one of the U.S. Embassys entrances during demonstrations against public-sector reforms in the country. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt. According to CONAPREV, the system was designed for approximately 13,000 inmates. The government failed to control pervasive gang-related violence and criminal activity within the prisons. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Individuals and organizations may appeal adverse domestic decisions to the Inter-American Human Rights system. Cruise ship industry contacts report that approximately one million U.S. citizens enter the country by ship every year, primarily in Roatn, but also in La Ceiba on the northern coast. LGBTQI+ rights groups asserted that government agencies and private employers engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. The Jewish community numbered approximately 150 members. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. World Report 2021: Honduras | Human Rights Watch Review the State Departments webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. Unions also raised concerns that employers used temporary contracts to prevent unionization and to avoid providing full benefits. On February 2, the National Congress passed a retroactive amnesty law that absolved public officials who worked during the Zelaya Administration (2006-09) of crimes. OSAC Standards Bulletin - January 2022 | NIST Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings, c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses, Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees, f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence, a. The Honduran National Police wear blue uniforms, while the PMOP normally wear green camouflage. The law mandates that authorities release detainees whose cases have not yet come to trial and whose time in pretrial detention already exceeds the maximum prison sentence for their alleged crime. The government attempted to enhance its response to domestic violence by elevating the National Womens Institute to a cabinet-level secretariat in March. To be considered, comments must be placed in the OSAC Comment Form and sent to comments@nist.gov by 11:59 p.m. The court found the accused guilty of the murder of Vsquez; at years end a date for sentencing was pending. Violence against LGBTQI+ Persons: NGOs reported police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. The law provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, with some restrictions, and the government generally respected this right. The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. Government officials were somewhat cooperative and responsive to their views, but some human rights organizations criticized government officials for lack of access and responsiveness. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500, Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497, Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula, Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600, Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. The media also engaged in self-censorship to avoid losing lucrative advertising contracts with the government. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Censorship or Content Restrictions for Members of the Press and Other Media, Including Online Media: Media members and NGOs stated the press self-censored due to fear of retaliation from criminal groups, drug trafficking organizations, or corrupt government officials. The law permits fines for wage and hour violations; these were commensurate with the penalties for similar crimes, such as fraud. Long periods of pretrial detention remained common, with many pretrial detainees held with convicted prisoners.
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