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A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. Nevertheless, observers said social discrimination against racial and ethnic groups persisted, as did physical violence. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. PF79-84SW: Honduras 2018 Crime & Safety Report - Archive 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. 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). Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. osac crime and safety report hondurasmary catherine o'shea daughter of virginia mayo. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. There have been multiple incidents of gang members destroying city buses and taxis, and reports that gang members rob, assault, rape, kidnap, or murder passengers. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. The Public Ministry reported 11 cases of alleged illegal detention or arbitrary arrest as of September. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Before you travel, consider the following resources: The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Section 1. 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. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. 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 . 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. Hernndez had worked to promote Indigenous rights in a variety of roles including as president of the Network of Agroecologists of the Cacique Lempira Biosphere, as a member of the Network of Human Rights Defenders of the Department of Lempira, and as a radio host of the Lenca radio program Radio Tenan. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. See the Department of Labors Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings/. Contraception supplies were limited, as were many other critical medicines, due to the governments dismantling of its public health procurement system in May. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State Government Human Rights Bodies: A semiautonomous commissioner for human rights, Blanca Izaguirre, served as ombudsperson and investigated complaints of human rights abuses. 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. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. The Public Ministry also has a Special Prosecutors Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators, and Justice Officials. 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Honduras, An official website of the United States Government, https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/, https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings/. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System, The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a. Counterfeit medicines are available in, (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported in, Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. If a victims physical injuries do not reach the severity required to categorize the violence as a criminal act, the legal penalty for a first offense is a sentence of one to three months of community service. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. There were reports that members of the security forces committed some abuses. 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. 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. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. On October 17, the Public Ministry charged four unit officials for their involvement in Prezs killing. 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. Many prisons lacked sufficient security personnel. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. The murder trial of police officer Jarol Rolando Perdomo Sarmiento concluded on October 17. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. In these sectors, employers frequently paid workers for the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective of any additional hours they worked. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State Latest News. Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. Impunity for such crimes was high. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Gangs control some of the taxi services. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. 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 police generally treat detained foreigners well. Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. Unions also raised concerns that employers used temporary contracts to prevent unionization and to avoid providing full benefits. NGOs and other civil society groups generally considered the commissioner independent but at times ineffective. Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: The minimum legal age of marriage for both boys and girls is 18. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. Prisoners suffered from gross overcrowding; insufficient access to food, water, and medical supplies; violence; and alleged abuse by prison officials. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. 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. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. 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. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. 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. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. 19 Nov. Participation of Women and Members of Minority Groups: No laws limit the participation of women or members of minority groups in the political process, and they did participate. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. 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. The Ministry of Securitys Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated members of the Honduran National Police accused of human rights abuses. 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. This is a common practice for most automobile accidents where personal injury occurs, and for cases in which someone is accused of a criminal act. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Many employers discriminated against women. 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. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. The government lacks resources to investigate and prosecute cases; police often lack vehicles/fuel to respond to calls for assistance. Although penalties include prison sentences of up to two years and fines, they were not sufficient to deter violations. open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance, For fire and public safety emergencies, dial. 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. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. The law does not authorize pretrial detention for crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or less. Voters elected Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party as president for a four-year term beginning in January. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. Authorities charged two individuals with her murder, one of whom remained at large. OSAC Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their name and legal gender status. The municipalities in which kidnappings were reported include: Districto Central (4), Jacaleapa (1), Trojes (1), Siguatepeque (1), Puerto Cortes (1), Lejamani (1), Tocoa (1), Tela (1), and Comayagua (1). The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. 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. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. By law, police may make arrests only with a warrant unless they make the arrest during the commission of a crime, there is strong suspicion that a person has committed a crime and might otherwise evade criminal prosecution, or they encounter a person in possession of evidence related to a crime. Red Cross ambulance: 911, (504) 2227-7474 or (504) 2227-7575. For more in-depth information, review OSACs. 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 Secretariat of Labor posted job opportunity announcements that specified a gender requirement. 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. DOS Trafficking in Persons Report - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. ; and read the State Departments webpage on, Passengers on public buses have been the victims of robbery at roadblocks and bus stops, during daytime and nighttime hours. Medical personnel held nationwide strikes and protests on March 30, April 20-30, May 31, and in certain regions on October 24. 08 Jul. The Military Police of Public Order report to military authorities but conduct operations sanctioned by civilian security officials as well as by military leaders. 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. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. There were no reports of antisemitic acts. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. Indigenous groups included the Miskito, Tawahka, Pech, Tolupn, Lenca, Maya-Chort, and Nahua. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. Latest Posts. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) expressed concern regarding weak implementation of the law, limited resources available to operate the governments protection mechanism, and insufficient training for new personnel after significant personnel turnover during the year. 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. Is the MS13 in Honduras Expanding its Role in the - InSight Crime As of August, inspectors conducted 14,221 total inspections, compared with 8,846 total inspections for the same period in 2021. Gang activity, including attacks on and exploitation of nonmembers, was the primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement. Criminalization: No laws exist to criminalize same-sex conduct. Persons from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. OSAC 2022-S-0024, Best Practice Recommendations for Evaluative Forensic DNA Testimony. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. Credible observers noted problems in trial procedures, such as a lack of admissible evidence (i.e., prosecution failed to submit sufficient evidence of guilt), judicial corruption, witness intimidation, and an ineffective witness protection program. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. In a controversial 2015 decision, the Honduran Supreme Court voided Article 239 of the constitution, which had limited presidents to one term. 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. The law prohibits and criminalizes all forms of forced labor, but the government did not effectively implement or enforce the law. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. Civil society continued to raise problems with minimum wage violations, highlighting agricultural companies in the south as frequent violators. 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 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. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. how to horizontally center a div in bootstrap. CONAPREV reported 17 violent deaths in prisons as of September. The law requires overtime pay, bans excessive compulsory overtime, limits overtime to four hours a day for a maximum workday of 12 hours, and prohibits the practice of requiring workers to complete work quotas before leaving their place of employment. Violence against women, the other pandemic impacting Honduras The government continued to prosecute individuals allegedly involved in the 2016 killing of environmental and Indigenous activist Berta Cceres. NOTE: OSAC RESOURCE TASK GROUP (RTG . There were credible complaints that police occasionally failed to obtain the required authorization before entering private homes. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. The government did not effectively enforce these laws and regulations. Wage and Hour Laws: There are 45 categories of monthly minimum wage, based on the industry and the size of a companys workforce; minimum wages were above the poverty line. 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.