Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Criminal groups, such as drug traffickers and local and transnational gangs including MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, committed killings, extortion, kidnappings, human trafficking, and intimidation of police, prosecutors, journalists, women, human rights defenders, and others. On January 10, unknown assailants shot and killed transgender activist Thala Rodrguez in her home in Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazn Department. 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. 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. Gangs control some of the taxi services. The trial on murder charges of Josu Exequiel Martnez, Siriaco Meja Santos, Francisco Lpez Lazo, and Mario Anbal Lpez Velsquez began on November 25. Major cities (e.g. Review OSACs report, Surviving a Protest. 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. Discrimination: The law criminalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity characteristics and includes crimes committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity as aggravating circumstances to increase penalties for criminal offenses. The Military Police of Public Order report to military authorities but conduct operations sanctioned by civilian security officials as well as by military leaders. The law provides for the right to a fair and public trial; however, the judiciary did not always enforce these rights. There is also a Human Rights Committee in the National Congress. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. They had limited representation in the national government and consequently little direct input into decisions affecting their lands, cultures, traditions, and the allocation of natural resources. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem, and the government did not effectively enforce the law. The law requires an employer to begin collective bargaining once workers establish a union, and it specifies that if more than one union exists at a company, the employer must negotiate with the largest. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. The law prohibits the use of children younger than 18 for exhibitions or performances of a sexual nature or in the production of pornography. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. 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). Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. In the 2013 census (most recent data), approximately 8.5 percent of the population identified themselves as members of Indigenous communities, but other estimates were higher. The law permits strikes by workers in export-processing zones and free zones for companies that provide services to industrial parks, but it requires that strikes not impede the operations of other factories in such parks. Roatn and the Bay Islands are geographically separate from the mainland and experience lower crime rates even when compared with other Caribbean islands. The law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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? Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. While the risk from crime in Honduras remains a concern, most U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Honduras are unaffected by violence and visit for tourism or humanitarian aid work without incident. 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. 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). In July, police arrested two men. About. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Due to the remote nature of these areas, the governments ability to respond to violence or other problems is often very limited, as is access to medical facilities. On January 13, National Police officials in Trujillo, Coln Department, allegedly detained and tortured Luis Alberto Gutirrez and Leonard Brown, beating Gutirrez and Brown in the police station. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Nearly 46 percent of incarcerated individuals were in pretrial detention. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. On January 9, unknown assailants killed Pablo Hernndez in San Marcos de Caiqun, Lempira Department. DOS Trafficking in Persons Report - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. Journalists and other members of civil society reported they were self-censoring due to fear of criticism, harassment, and retribution by the government and its supporters. 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 law allows bail for persons charged with some felonies and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. Review OSACs report, Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. According to the Honduran Commission for Human Rights (Conadeh), 75 people died in attacks against the public transport service in Honduras between January and July 2019. 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. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. In addition to complying with local laws, companies involved in natural resource extraction or energy generation should ensure they fully consult with communities in accordance with international standards. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators, but the failure of the government to collect fines facilitated continued violations. By law, the secretariat may fine companies that violate the right to freedom of association. The Embassy cannot secure the release or act as legal representation for any U.S. citizen. 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. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2021 Country Report | Freedom House The Public Ministry also has a Special Prosecutors Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators, and Justice Officials. Detained U.S. citizens should insist on speaking to U.S. Embassy representatives as soon as possible. Occupational Safety and Health: Occupational safety and health (OSH) standards are appropriate for the main industries in the country, and OSH experts actively identified unsafe conditions, including lack of personal protective equipment against COVID-19, in addition to responding to workers OSH complaints. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. 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. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. Abusive Physical Conditions: Prisoners suffered from severe overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of adequate sanitation and medical care, and, in some prisons, lack of adequate ventilation and lighting. 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 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. Women, children, and LGBTQI+ individuals were especially vulnerable to abuse. Government officials were somewhat cooperative and responsive to their views, but some human rights organizations criticized government officials for lack of access and responsiveness. There were no reports of this law being used to limit womens employment. 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. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. NGOs also reported the government did not make sufficient efforts to comply with Inter-American Court of Human Rights rulings, specifically cases related to territorial rights for Garfuna communities. Following anticorruption protests in 2015, President Hernandez signed an agreement with the Organization of American States to form the Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Child Abuse: The law establishes prison sentences of up to two and one-half years for child abuse. The web site offers its visitors the latest in safety and security-related information, public announcements, warden messages, travel advisories, significant anniversary dates, terrorist groups profiles, country crime and safety reports, special topic reports, foreign press reports, and much more. The 18th Street and MS-13 (. ) These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. During 2019, multiple vehicles belonging to U.S. and Honduran employees of the U.S. Embassy were burglarized and/or vandalized on side streets around the Embassy compound. 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. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, a. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was created in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private-sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State.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 . A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. , which requires free prior notice and informed consent from indigenous communities before any development projects can begin; the congress has not approved a law regulating this process. The limited capacity of the government to enforce international standards related to natural resource exploitation has resulted in higher levels of conflict in the extractive and electrical generation industries. Sexual Harassment: The law criminalizes sexual harassment, including in employment, and stipulates penalties of one to three years in prison and possible suspension of the abusers professional licenses. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. The law states that a womans employment should be appropriate to her physical state and capacity. On September 16, the cabinet approved an executive decree to create a General Directorate of Information and Press under the Ministry of Strategic Planning. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. The Ministry of Securitys Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated members of the Honduran National Police accused of human rights abuses. Authorities continued to investigate the incident. Prison conditions were harsh and at times life threatening due to pervasive gang-related violence and the governments failure to control criminal activity within the prisons. 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. Contact OSACsLatin Americateam with any questions or to join. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) - United States Department of Although many press outlets were politically aligned, the press and prevailing democratic norms combined to promote freedom of expression, including for members of the media. There were no credible reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. As of October, at least 24 defendants used the law to have corruption cases dismissed. Some larger cities have police forces that operate independently of the national police and report to municipal authorities. Profile. Following the transfer, the National Prison Institute reported progress on visitation rights, food nutrition and quality, and potable water access. UN human rights experts stated the lack of access to contraception, particularly in rural areas, together with the prohibition of emergency contraception, contributed to a high rate of adolescent pregnancy. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. 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. The government did not effectively enforce the law. Honduras and U.S. Relations. Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by government agents; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media, including threats to media members by criminal elements; serious government corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence; and crimes involving violence or threats of violence against Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, and against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. For more in-depth information, review OSACs Honduras country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Office of Global Criminal Justice Office of International Religious Freedom Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. Hondurans continue to be affected by MS-13 and Calle 18 gang activity in cities such as Tegucigalpa, Choloma, La Ceiba, Tela, and San Pedro Sula. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. 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. There is often a spike in skimming in December and June, when the working population receive Christmas and mid-year bonuses in the form of one extra months salary. 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. Some would-be muggers and gang members keep to a daily schedule, riding city buses from one stop to the next, committing criminal acts with impunity along the way. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. On September 6, the Public Ministry charged former Minister of National Risk and Contingency Management Gabriel Rub and two other government officials with fraud and violation of official duties for the nearly six million lempira ($239,000) purchase in 2020 of a mobile hospital and COVID-19 isolation unit that was only a tent. Review OSACs reports, There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. The law permits workers in public health care, social security, staple food production, and public utilities (municipal sanitation, water, electricity, and telecommunications) to strike if they continue to provide basic services. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. For more information, please visit OSAC.gov . 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. 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, , 31% twice, 11% three times, and 10% more than three times. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. The government allocated a budget of 20 million lempiras ($796,000) to operate a protection mechanism for journalists, human rights defenders, and judicial sector operators. Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of criminal groups. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. 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. Abusers caught in the act may be detained for up to 24 hours as a preventive measure. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: Transiting migrants, forcibly displaced populations, and asylum seekers with pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations. The Secretariat of Labor posted job opportunity announcements that specified a gender requirement. In addition, women experienced delays in accessing justice due to police who failed to process complaints in a timely manner or judicial system officials who deferred scheduling hearings. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. 04 Jan. fire department utv grants 1 Comment. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). On July 4, alleged members of the 18th Street gang killed six fellow gang members at the El Pozo maximum security prison in Ilama, Santa Brbara Department. 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. LGBTQI+ rights groups asserted that government agencies and private employers engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. The law prohibits employers from requiring pregnancy tests as a prerequisite for employment. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. In most prisons, only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks 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. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. The Public Ministry reported 17 violent deaths of LGBTQI+ persons as of September. how to horizontally center a div in bootstrap. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Your session will expire soon and log you out. There were credible complaints that police occasionally failed to obtain the required authorization before entering private homes. In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. At least 86 journalists were killed from 2001 through July 2020, the Honduran College of Journalists reported, and 92 percent of those killings remain unpunished. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Violence against women, the other pandemic impacting Honduras Animals and people wander onto the roads. Avoid traveling at night and always drive with doors locked and windows rolled up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets. 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. OSAC Crime and Safety Report - Honduras (updated March 2020) Copan, Honduras Pre-Trip Guide with student-generated content Jordan Your Guide to Jordan ISC with student-generated content Amman, Jordan Pre-trip Guide with student-generated content Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (. ) Criminalization: No laws exist to criminalize same-sex conduct. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Port agencies have worked to improve taxi service to/from ports. 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 law also requires that public-sector workers involved in the refining, transportation, and distribution of petroleum products submit their grievances to the Secretariat of Labor before striking. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. 08 Jul. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices.
