On May 26, National Police officers allegedly entered the home of human rights defender Deninson Escalante in El Palenque, Choluteca Department, without a warrant, searched the house, and beat Escalantes parents, brother, and nephew. 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. Avoid using. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Impunity for such crimes was high. PDF Honduras 2018 Crime & Safety Report - WordPress.com 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. 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. Violence against women, the other pandemic impacting Honduras Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. Discrimination and Societal Abuses, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination, Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics, Other Societal Violence and Discrimination, a. The 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. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. 04 Jan. fire department utv grants 1 Comment. Publishing or The law provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but authorities did not implement the law effectively, and officials continued to engage in corrupt practices with impunity. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. There were several reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Violence and Harassment: On May 26, unknown assailants shot and killed Metro TV journalist Ricardo vila in Marcovia, Choluteca Department. Powerful special interests, including criminal groups, exercised influence on the outcomes of some court proceedings. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. In a controversial 2015 decision, the Honduran Supreme Court voided Article 239 of the constitution, which had limited presidents to one term. Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. Although penalties include prison sentences of up to two years and fines, they were not sufficient to deter violations. The law permits fines for wage and hour violations; these were commensurate with the penalties for similar crimes, such as fraud. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. OSAC encourages travelers to, to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. You can add more than one country or area. 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 The Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. The government generally respected these provisions. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. Former First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo was found guilty of fraud and misappropriation of public funds during a retrial on March 17. 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. 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. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Civil society groups reported that women often did not report domestic violence or withdrew charges because they feared, or were economically dependent on, the aggressor. 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. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500, Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497, Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula, Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600, Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. Prisoners suffered from gross overcrowding; insufficient access to food, water, and medical supplies; violence; and alleged abuse by prison officials. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. The law requires police to inform persons of the grounds for their arrest and bring detainees before a competent judicial authority within 24 hours. Victims were primarily impoverished individuals in both rural and urban areas (see section 7.c.). 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. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. Honduras - United States Department of State 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. drivers licenses, vehicle registration). 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. Contact OSACsLatin Americateam with any questions or to join. Your session will expire soon and log you out. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. 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. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Crisis in Honduras: Ongoing violence and climate shocks 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 OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Government officials were somewhat cooperative and responsive to their views, but some human rights organizations criticized government officials for lack of access and responsiveness. As of October, at least 24 defendants used the law to have corruption cases dismissed. Inspectors have the authority to make unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions. Nonetheless, many prisoners remained in custody after completing their full sentences, and sometimes even after an acquittal, because officials failed to process their releases expeditiously. The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights. Most women in the workforce engaged in lower-status and lower-paying informal occupations, such as domestic service, without the benefit of legal protections. The Secretariat of Labor may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. 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. 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. Since 2010, 42. Republic of Honduras - United States Department of Justice Review OSACs report, Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. Some NGOs and political parties reported irregularities, including late delivery of technology needed to transmit results, late opening of the polls, poll workers with varying degrees of preparation and knowledge of the electoral law and processes, and lack of transparency in campaign financing. OSAC is a free service to U.S.-based or incorporated private sector organizations with overseas operations. Dial 911 for emergency or call (504) 2232-4092. NGOs reported gangs engaged in corrective rape of lesbian or transgender individuals. The murder trial of police officer Jarol Rolando Perdomo Sarmiento concluded on October 17. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor, c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment, d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. The 18th Street and MS-13 (. ) There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. The National Prison Institute reported that as of October 13, the total prison population was 19,619 in 25 prisons and one detention center. 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. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid The government provided survivors of sexual violence access to other health-care services, such as psychological and social support as well as testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. 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. On September 16, the cabinet approved an executive decree to create a General Directorate of Information and Press under the Ministry of Strategic Planning. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there were no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority. Under the inspection law, the Secretariat of Labor has the authority to temporarily shut down workplaces where there is an imminent danger of fatalities. Contraception supplies were limited, as were many other critical medicines, due to the governments dismantling of its public health procurement system in May. The law allows bail for persons charged with some felonies and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. 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. 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. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. 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. Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 33 cases of arbitrary arrest through August. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) - United States Department of 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. Honduras is a constitutional, multiparty republic. 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. 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 against LGBTQI+ Persons: NGOs reported police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. Violators face penalties of one to three years in prison and possible suspension of their professional licenses, but the government did not effectively enforce the law. 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. 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. OSAC Standards Bulletin - January 2022 | NIST Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. 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). Avoid using Collectivos (white sedan taxis with a sticker on the windshield denoting its established route), Roleteros (private white sedan taxis with no established routes), and Rapiditos (small buses that pick up multiple riders). Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. 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. Many prisoners had access to weapons and other contraband, inmates attacked other inmates with impunity, and inmates and their associates outside prison threatened prison officials and their families. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Counterfeit medicines are available in, (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported in, Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. Individuals and organizations may appeal adverse domestic decisions to the Inter-American Human Rights system. Travelers should be aware, however, that the assistance the Embassy can provide is limited to making sure U.S. citizens are not treated differently from local detainees and providing them with a list of local attorneys. Prisoners can submit complaints through a lawyer that may emerge from an NGO before the Public Ministry. Persons from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. There were numerous reports of government corruption. 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. 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). Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. 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. 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. By law, the secretariat may fine companies that violate the right to freedom of association. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven.

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