Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Most crime victims are members of rival gangs, small business owners who resist gang extortion, passengers on public transportation, or those involved in land tenure disputes. Voters elected Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party as president for a four-year term beginning in January. 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. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. The law prohibits workers from legally striking until direct negotiations and government-accompanied mediation and conciliation have failed. See the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. The government did not effectively enforce the law. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due tocrime. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. The law provides for an independent judiciary, but the justice system was poorly staffed, inadequately equipped, often ineffective, and subject to intimidation, corruption, politicization, and patronage. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. The law states that a womans employment should be appropriate to her physical state and capacity. There are no legal cases involving instances of terrorism affecting U.S. citizens or facilities brought before the Honduran judicial system, and no reports of judicial developments that would have a negative impact on U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. Seek legal representation before admitting or signing any legal form that acknowledges culpability. Review OSACs reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Recent Elections: In November 2021, Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party won a four-year presidential term in elections that were generally considered free, fair, and transparent. 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. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. Mental-health professionals expressed concern regarding social stigma by families and communities against persons with mental disabilities and a lack of access to mental-health care throughout the country. The U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) keeps Diplomatic Security Service representatives connected with private-sector security professionals from U.S. organizations operating abroad for ongoing threat awareness and crisis support. 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. Also see the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. 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. Failure to register resulted in denial of public services, including access to health services or school enrollment. Credit card skimming is common. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. The Military Police of Public Order report to military authorities but conduct operations sanctioned by civilian security officials as well as by military leaders. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media, b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association, d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country, f. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons, Section 3. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. As of October, at least 24 defendants used the law to have corruption cases dismissed. Review the State Departments webpage on security for. 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. As a result of Honduran government efforts in close cooperation with the United States, homicide rates have fallen from 86.0 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 43.6 per 100,000 at the end of 2019. The OSAC information exchange mechanism also . International observers generally recognized the elections as free and fair. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt. The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, returning refugees, and asylum seekers, as well as other persons of concern. DOS: Northern Triangle Country Conditions: Ranking the Highest and Lowest Areas of Reported, Homicides, Disappearances, and Extortion - May 2019. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has since added him to the agency's Top 10 Most Wanted List, offering up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest. 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. According to 2021 Secretariat of Labor figures, approximately 75 percent of workers worked in the informal economy, equivalent to approximately 2.7 million persons, while a 2020 UN Development Program report estimated that 82 percent of workers were part of the informal economy. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. Review OSACs reports, There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. Corruption along with a lack of investigative resources and judicial delays led to widespread impunity, including for members of security forces. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Although the country experiences one of its lowest homicide rates in the last decade, authorities recorded 3,496 violent . Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba) have homicide rates higher than the national average, as do several Honduran departments (a geographic designation like U.S. States), includingAtlntida, Coln, Corts, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, andYoro. See the Department of States International Religious Freedom Report at https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/. With offices throughout the country, the ombudsperson received cases that otherwise might not have risen to national attention. This resulted in multiple protests by environmentalist groups claiming the project is illegal due to the damage to the bioreserve and exacerbating the citys already dire water shortage. Discrimination: Although the law accords women and men the same legal rights and status, including property rights in divorce cases, many women did not fully enjoy such rights due to barriers in access to justice and lack of information regarding legal protections. The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 33 cases of arbitrary arrest through August. Latest Posts. 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 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 government continued to prosecute individuals allegedly involved in the 2016 killing of environmental and Indigenous activist Berta Cceres. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. 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. Its operations to receive and process cases relied on substantial support from UNHCR. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. Transiting migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations continued to face acute security risks in border zones. In addition, the monitoring center estimated approximately 937,000 individuals were forcibly displaced by 2020 natural disasters. According to data (most recent available) from the government and UNHCR, more than 247,000 persons were displaced by violence between 2014 and 2018, of whom 43 percent were children and adolescents. Penalties for violations of OSH law were commensurate with penalties for similar crimes but rarely applied against violators and rarely collected. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. The law allows only local unions to call strikes, prohibits labor federations and confederations from calling strikes, and requires that a two-thirds majority of both union and nonunion employees at an enterprise approve a strike. Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. The government did not effectively enforce the law. Prisoners suffered from gross overcrowding; insufficient access to food, water, and medical supplies; violence; and alleged abuse by prison officials. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (Colectivo and Rolatero) in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations. Many employers discriminated against women. Survivors of domestic violence are entitled to certain protective measures, such as removing the abuser from the home and prohibiting the abuser from visiting the victims work or other frequently visited places. However, protesters will also block, key intercity transportation routes and intracity intersections with burning tires, rocks and other debris, to include the roads leading to the international airports in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and the CA-5 and CA-11 highways. Its support focused on providing training to officers of the National Institute for Migration, ensuring support to deal with the backlog of asylum claims submitted during the COVID-19 lockdown, and supporting the improvement of reception conditions for asylum seekers. 08 Jul. The Honduran National Polices Special Victims Investigations Unit, formerly known as the Violent Crimes Task Force, investigated crimes against high-profile and particularly vulnerable victims, including journalists as well as judges, lawyers, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. The government has also begun implementing a series of police reforms; it has formed groups such as the National Inter-Agency Security Task Force (FUSINA) and the National Anti-Gang Task Force (FNAMP) to combat crime. OSAC encourages travelers to, to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Detained U.S. citizens should insist on speaking to U.S. Embassy representatives as soon as possible. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid NGOs reported IDPs were at increased risk of victimization and exploitation by criminal groups. 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. 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. CONAPREV reported 17 violent deaths in prisons as of September. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. Some judges, however, ruled that such suspects may be released on the condition that they continue to report periodically to authorities. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. OSAC 2022-S-0024, Best Practice Recommendations for Evaluative Forensic DNA Testimony. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Media reported violent confrontations and killings between gang members in prisons throughout the year. The law on safe houses, which has been stalled in the National Congress since 2018, aims to recognize and fund safe houses to provide care for survivors of multiple forms of violence, ensuring. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. 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. The government has an Office for Persons with Disabilities located within the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, but its ability to provide services to persons with disabilities was limited. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. Both the Secretariat of Labor and the courts may order a company to reinstate workers, but the secretariat lacked the personnel and transportation resources to verify compliance. Although the law prohibits such practices, government officials received complaints and investigated alleged abuses by members of the security forces on the streets and in detention centers. Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. The law criminalizes discrimination based on race and ethnicity and includes crimes committed against individuals because of race or ethnicity as aggravating circumstances to increase penalties for criminal offenses. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators, but the failure of the government to collect fines facilitated continued violations. The rainy season usually runs May-November. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Violence and Harassment: On May 26, unknown assailants shot and killed Metro TV journalist Ricardo vila in Marcovia, Choluteca Department. Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices Specifically Targeting LGBTQI+ Individuals: There were no reports of unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex persons. Forced labor occurred in street vending, domestic service, the transport of illegal drugs and other illicit goods, other criminal activity, and the informal sector. The police, along with the Ministry of Defenses Military Public Order Police (PMOP), routinely establish checkpoints and review documentation (e.g. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. Persons with disabilities, Indigenous and Afro-descendant persons, LGBTQI+ persons, and persons with HIV or AIDS also faced discrimination in employment and occupation (also see section 6). Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. Avoid using. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. While there are no areas in major urban cities free of violent crime, notably dangerous locations in Tegucigalpa include the areas surrounding Suyapa Cathedral, downtown Comayagela, downtown Tegucigalpa, and neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city that are generally controlled by gangs. Additionally, under the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework, with significant support from UNHCR, the Secretariat of Human Rights and Secretariat of External Relations and International Cooperation continued to build capacity to provide services to vulnerable populations, including IDPs, those at risk of forced displacement, refugees, and returned migrants. Despite being considered the best private hospital in Tegucigalpa, it is not Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited; JCI is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations. Authorities did not generally segregate those with tuberculosis or other infectious diseases from the general prison population. The Institute for National Statistics put net enrollment for primary school at 77 percent in 2021, but the National Center for Social Sector Information stated that in 2020, 43 percent of persons with disabilities received no formal education. Abusers caught in the act may be detained for up to 24 hours as a preventive measure. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. Perdomo was charged with the February 2021 murder of Keyla Martnez in La Esperanza, Intibuc Department. Although the law generally prohibits such actions, a legal exception allows government authorities to enter a private residence to prevent a crime or in case of another emergency. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. Civil society had criticized the law for limiting transparency and allowing officials to use the classification of documents to hide corruption. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work without incident, but the government lacks the resources to address crime and violence fully. The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. 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.
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