Honduras - United States Department of State 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 government prosecuted some officials who committed human rights abuses or engaged in corruption, but a weak judicial system and corruption were major obstacles to obtaining convictions. -threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, b. Review OSACs reports, There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. 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. The police, along with the Ministry of Defenses Military Public Order Police (PMOP), routinely establish checkpoints and review documentation (e.g. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. 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. Contact OSACsLatin Americateam with any questions or to join. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. Workers had difficulty exercising the rights to form and join unions and to engage in collective bargaining. On March 1, the National Congress repealed the Law for the Classification of Public Documents Related to National Security and Defense, better known as the Secrets Law. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices Specifically Targeting LGBTQI+ Individuals: There were no reports of unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex persons. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Credit card skimming is common. With offices throughout the country, the ombudsperson received cases that otherwise might not have risen to national attention. 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 location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. In July, police arrested two men. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. Review the State Departments webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. In-country Movement: There were areas where authorities could not assure freedom of movement because of criminal activity and a lack of significant government presence. The law does not authorize pretrial detention for crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or less. There were no reports of antisemitic acts. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. The court acquitted him of charges of violating official duties and fraud, but the Public Ministry appealed the ruling on July 25. On May 31, members of the National Anti-Gang Unit shot and killed Wilson Ariel Prez Hernndez in San Pedro Sula, Corts Department. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Indigenous communities continued to report threats and acts of violence against them and against community and environmental activists. The law states that a womans employment should be appropriate to her physical state and capacity. 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. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. The government continued to prosecute individuals allegedly involved in the 2016 killing of environmental and Indigenous activist Berta Cceres. Children, including from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, particularly Miskito boys, were at risk for forced labor in the agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, mining, construction, and hospitality industries. Improvements: On March 10, the armed forces officially transferred control of the National Prison Institute to the National Police as part of a government initiative to demilitarize prisons. 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. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over security forces. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. PDF Honduras 2018 Crime & Safety Report - WordPress.com 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. 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. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. 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. President Juan Orlando Hernndez of the National Party (PN) was subsequently reelected in 2017 by a narrow margin. Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. Such an order may be effective for up to six days, after which the judge must hold a pretrial hearing to examine whether there is probable cause to continue pretrial detention. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing, . The law prohibits employers from requiring pregnancy tests as a prerequisite for employment. 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. Honduras received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation in the development of an e-procurement platform and public procurement auditing. Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. 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. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. 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. 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. Medical care is limited. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. World Report 2021: Honduras | Human Rights Watch open sources and (U) embassy reporting. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). Is the MS13 in Honduras Expanding its Role in the - InSight Crime 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. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported that authorities at times failed to enforce these requirements effectively. OSAC 2022-S-0024, Best Practice Recommendations for Evaluative Forensic DNA Testimony. 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 . 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. Abusers caught in the act may be detained for up to 24 hours as a preventive measure. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatn). The National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH) reported two arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces as of August. For more information, please visit OSAC.gov . Child Abuse: The law establishes prison sentences of up to two and one-half years for child abuse. In the security and domestic service sectors, workers were frequently forced to work more than 60 hours per week but paid only for 44 hours. They were, however, commensurate with penalties for violating laws related to civil rights, such as election interference. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only. CONADEH received no reports of racial or ethnic discrimination as of August. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Violence linked to land disputes also occurs, particularly in the Bay Islands and Bajo Aguan Valley in northern Honduras. 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. Seek legal representation before admitting or signing any legal form that acknowledges culpability. Most women in the workforce engaged in lower-status and lower-paying informal occupations, such as domestic service, without the benefit of legal protections. 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. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) - United States Department of World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch 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. In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. 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. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. Honduras and U.S. Relations. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. The law establishes an independent and impartial judiciary in civil matters, including access to a court to seek damages for human rights violations. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. There are few U.S.-educated physicians in Tegucigalpa. Authorities did not generally segregate those with tuberculosis or other infectious diseases from the general prison population. - July 2019 CSO Report - Northern Triangle Country Conditions: Ranking the Highest and Lowest Areas of Reported Homicides, Disappearances, and Extortion - May 2019 Northern Triangle and Mexico Country Conditions - May 2019 Foreign Government Reports Canada - The Research Directorate Birth registration was provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. 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. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. 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. As of September, CONAPREV reported the countrys detention center for high-profile suspects and those in need of additional security, including police and military officials, held 29 individuals. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. 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. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Nevertheless, observers said social discrimination against racial and ethnic groups persisted, as did physical violence. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. Unions also raised concerns that employers used temporary contracts to prevent unionization and to avoid providing full benefits. The repeal went into effect on June 28. 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. 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. Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of criminal groups. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. He was allegedly killed while antigang unit officials tried to arrest him for assaulting a police officer at a soccer match on May 29. Emergency services, even in Tegucigalpa, generally are basic. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. CONADEH received complaints involving human rights abuses and referred them to the Public Ministry for investigation. 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. 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. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. 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. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. 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. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations 169 Convention, 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. Historically, corruption has been pervasive in government procurement, issuance of government permits, customs, real estate transactions (particularly land title transfers), performance requirements, and the regulatory system. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Security also requires that union leaders be employed under permanent contracts, limiting the ability of seasonal agricultural workers to exercise their right to freedom of association. 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. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. There is also a Human Rights Committee in the National Congress. These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. The law prohibits workers from legally striking until direct negotiations and government-accompanied mediation and conciliation have failed. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. 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). Overseas Security Advisory Council - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Review OSACs reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, Im Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Donts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad. 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. 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. 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. 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 does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. Transiting migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations continued to face acute security risks in border zones. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. The Public Ministry reported 17 violent deaths of LGBTQI+ persons as of September. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Credit card skimming is common. 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. 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. 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. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. 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. Access to Asylum: The law provides for granting asylum or refugee status. As of August, inspectors conducted 14,221 total inspections, compared with 8,846 total inspections for the same period in 2021. Violence against LGBTQI+ Persons: NGOs reported police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. 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. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due tocrime. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. NGOs and other civil society groups generally considered the commissioner independent but at times ineffective. 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). Review the State Departments webpage on security for, Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. The law allows bail for persons charged with some felonies and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. U.S. Department of State. 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. Violence and Harassment: On May 26, unknown assailants shot and killed Metro TV journalist Ricardo vila in Marcovia, Choluteca Department. 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. On January 19, alleged security force members detained Indigenous community leader Nicols Rodriguez in Azacualpa, Copn Department, for more than 24 hours before he was released. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. 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. 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. Although the country experiences one of its lowest homicide rates in the last decade, authorities recorded 3,496 violent . 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. Witcher 3 Path Of Warriors Reach End Of Tunnel Bug, Articles O
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