Sample Page; ; CONADEH received four reports as of August. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Advanced Training. The law establishes an independent and impartial judiciary in civil matters, including access to a court to seek damages for human rights violations. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) expressed concern regarding weak implementation of the law and limited resources available to operate the governments protection mechanism. The law also sanctions abortion providers. 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. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. There were no reports of this law being used to limit womens employment. The accused were in pretrial detention awaiting the next phase of the judicial process. See the Department of States International Religious Freedom Report at https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/. It named 21 from Honduras, including former President Porfirio Lobo Sosa (2010-2014), who became ineligible for visas and admission to the US. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. It also provides key data, such as crime counts. Violence against LGBT individuals displaces many internally and forces others to leave the country to seek asylum. There was no information available on any major industrial accidents. The government closed two pretrial detention centers in April due to low numbers of these types of pretrial detainees. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. The IACHR received information on frequent threats of lawsuits and prosecutions, including for slander and libel, hindering human rights work in Honduras. Persons from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. In addition the law prohibits strikes in a wide range of economic activities that the government has designated as essential services or that it considers would affect the rights of individuals in the larger community to security, health, education, and economic and social well-being. 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. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. 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. 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. Despite significant international and local public pressure, MACCIHs mandate ended in January 2020 without agreement for its extension between the OAS and the Honduran government. The law prohibits illicit association, defined as gatherings by persons bearing arms, explosive devices, or dangerous objects with the purpose of committing a crime, and prescribes prison terms of two to four years and a moderate fine for anyone who convokes or directs an illicit meeting or demonstration. Backsliding occurred in cases brought during the four-year mandate of the OAS Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras; several of its cases were dismissed or postponed as courts heard appeals based on the new code. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Although its specialists occasionally cannot provide the U.S. standard of care, the hospital and diagnostic departments do have the capability to provide most medical procedures. This figure is projected to rise by 0.5 million by June 2023. Children often worked alongside family members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction, transportation, and small businesses. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? 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. As of August 5, 174 femicides have been committed in Honduras in 2021 according to the Women's Rights Center, a Honduran nongovernmental organization. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. By law all minors between the ages of 14 and 18 in most industries must receive special permission from the STSS to work, and the STSS must perform a home study to verify that there is an economic need for the child to work and that the child does not work outside the country or in hazardous conditions, including in offshore fishing. The accused has the right to an initial hearing before a judge, to ask for bail, consult with legal counsel in a timely manner, have a lawyer provided by the state if necessary, and request an appeal. The law permits fines, and while the monetary penalty is sufficient to deter violations and commensurate with the penalties for similar crimes, such as fraud, the failure of the government to collect those fines facilitated continued labor code violations. 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. The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. The Public Ministry reported seven cases of alleged illegal detention or arbitrary arrest as of September. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. Indigenous groups included the Miskito, Tawahka, Pech, Tolupan, Lenca, Maya-Chorti, and Nahua. The law prohibits members of the armed forces and police, as well as certain other public employees, from forming labor unions. Review the State Departments webpage on security for. Some companies also delayed appointing or failed to appoint representatives for required STSS-led mediation, a practice that prolonged the mediation process and impeded the right to strike. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. In September, President Hernndez accused those who advocate for same-sex marriage of attacking Christian principles and the notion of the family.. 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). CONAPREV reported 13 violent deaths in prisons as of September. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. For more in-depth information, review OSACs. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. According to UNICEF, 34 percent of women and 12 percent of men ages 20 to 24 married before age 18. Deportation, Circular Migration and Organized Crime Honduras Case Study; Download the Publication; Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report; Violence in Honduras: an Analysis of the Failure in Public Security and the State'S Response to Criminality; Opendocpdf.Pdf; Honduras Elites and Organized Crime; Honduras 2019 Crime & Safety Report Between January and March this year, authorities have destroyed . The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due tocrime. According to a report published in June 2020 by the Network Against Anti-Union Violence, 36 trade unionists were murdered between 2009 and 2019. Gangs, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18), are considered largely responsible for Honduras murder rate, and are infamous for extortion and drug peddling. Share this via Twitter Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. 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. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. 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. honduras crime and safety report 2021. The law was not effectively enforced, and weak public institutional structures contributed to the inadequate enforcement. Vasquez was the leader of the Union of Field Workers, a member of the Lenca community, an environmental activist, and a LIBRE Party candidate for Congress. The law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. The constitution prohibits practicing clergy from running for office or participating in political campaigns. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. The law prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of emergency contraception for any reason, including for survivors of sexual violence. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Vote View Results . The law prohibits all forms of forced labor, but the government did not effectively implement or enforce the law. Download Historical Data The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. There were no credible reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities. 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,
Corruption along with a lack of investigative resources and judicial delays led to widespread impunity, including in security forces. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y Pandillas), with members from the police, military, and Attorney Generals Office. A bill was introduced in 2019 to prevent, assist, and protect people internally displaced by violence. The government provided victims of sexual violence access to other health-care services. The groups most likely to be internally displaced are children subjected to forced gang recruitment, professionals and business owners who face extortion, domestic violence survivors, and LGBT people and members of ethnic minorities who face violence and discrimination, the IACHR has reported. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. The lack of space for social distancing combined with the lack of adequate sanitation made prison conditions even more life threatening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Mental health professionals expressed concern regarding social stigma by families and communities against persons with mental disabilities and a lack of access to mental health care throughout the country. The Honduran National Police wear blue uniforms, while the PMOP normally wear green camouflage. Government Human Rights Bodies: A semiautonomous commissioner for human rights, Blanca Izaguirre, served as an ombudsperson and investigated complaints of human rights abuses. 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 prohibits workers from legally striking until after they have attempted and failed to come to agreement with their employer, and it requires workers and employers to participate in a mediation and conciliation process. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center estimated there were approximately 247,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to violence in the country as of 2020. 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. In January 2020, the government shut down the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Respect for the Integrity of the Person, a. The government prosecuted some officials who committed abuses, including government corruption, but a weak judicial system and corruption were major obstacles to obtaining convictions. These efforts were insufficient due to limited political will, inadequate staffing, limited or no services in rural areas, absence of or inadequate training and awareness of domestic violence among police and other authorities, and a pattern of male-dominant culture and norms. Abusers caught in the act may be detained for up to 24 hours as a preventive measure. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. In June 2021, the Inter-American Commision on Human Rights (IACHR) estimated a 90 percent rate of impunity for crimes committed against human rights defenders in Honduras. 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. Credible observers noted problems in trial procedures, such as a lack of admissible evidence, judicial corruption, witness intimidation, and an ineffective witness protection program. This definition included workers who did not contribute to any form of social security protection, and thus it may have undercounted underemployed workers who rely on jobs in both the formal and informal sectors. On July 25, media reported individuals shot and killed Liberal Party congressional candidate and former congresswoman Carolina Echeverria Haylock in Tegucigalpa. They called for implementation of protective measures. 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. EFR CPR/AED; The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. The government considers rape a crime of public concern, and the state prosecutes rapists even if victims do not press charges. Children often worked on melon, coffee, okra, and sugarcane plantations as well as in other agricultural production; scavenged at garbage dumps; worked in the forestry and fishing sectors; worked as domestic servants; peddled goods such as fruit; begged; washed cars; hauled goods; and labored in limestone quarrying and lime production. On March 28, transgender activist Vanessa Zuniga was killed in Tela, Atlantida Department. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (. ) The law prohibits all the worst forms of child labor. From January to September 2021, 31,894 Hondurans requested asylum in Mexico, the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (COMAR) reportedfiling more than 35 percent of Mexicos total asylum petitions. As of October 17, 42,357 Hondurans were deported in 2021 to Hondurasmore than the total throughout 2020the government reported. The law allows only local unions to call strikes, prohibits labor federations and confederations from calling strikes, and requires that a two-thirds majority of both union and nonunion employees at an enterprise approve a strike. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. Media linked her killing to organized criminal groups and drug trafficking organizations. In security and domestic service sectors, workers were frequently forced to work more than 60 hours per week but paid only for 44 hours. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. The law places restrictions on these rights, such as requiring that a recognized trade union represent at least 30 workers, prohibiting foreign nationals from holding union offices, and requiring that union officials work in the same substantive area of the business as the workers they represent. Nicaragua used to be part of the CA-4 agreement, but in late 2017 began requiring travelers to register their travel purpose and destination online seven days in advance. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of organized criminal groups. Infiltrators: corruption in El Salvador has made safety strides and is not as dangerous as it used be! Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. 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. The law provides citizens the right to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on nearly universal and equal suffrage. 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. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Fire Department Ambulance is fully equipped with emergency medical supplies and medical staff. Prisoners suffered from overcrowding, insufficient access to food and water, violence, and alleged abuse by prison officials. Thirty-four percent of women ages 20 to 24 had married when they were 15 to 19, a UN Population Fund study conducted from 2005 to 2019 found. 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. Share this via Printer. An Ojai police car is parked on Thacher Road. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. 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 governments National Policy to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination seeks to promote equality and combat discrimination related to the countrys seven indigenous and two Afro-descendent groups, with a focus on social and political participation; access to education, health care, justice, and employment opportunities; and rights to ancestral lands and natural resources. A 2019 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights report noted there were insufficient hospital beds and inadequate supplies at the only hospital that serviced Gracias a Dios Department, home to most of the Miskito community. 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. The government did not effectively enforce the law. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. Overseas Security Advisory Council
In September police arrested Denis Abel Ordonez, Michael Andre Mejia, and Walter Antonio Matute Raudales in connection with her murder. Most child labor occurred in rural areas. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as. The national curfew instituted in response to COVID-19, however, limited the freedom of internal movement and affected the freedom to leave the country, including for individuals at risk of or subject to persecution or torture. honduras crime and safety report 2021 Hakkmzda. As of August it continued to provide protection to 12 journalists, among other types of activists and human rights defenders. Both the STSS and the courts may order a company to reinstate workers, but the STSS lacked the personnel and transportation resources to verify compliance. As of September CONADEH had received 33 complaints. Natural Disasters Risk: Medium. The law establishes prison sentences of up to two and one-half years for child abuse. Schools were closed in March 2020 and had not yet returned to full in-person classes by September 2021. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Other ways to share International organizations, the United States, and the United Kingdom have expressed their support for Santos work. In 2019, seven others were convicted for carrying out the killing. With Autocrats on the Defensive, Can Democrats Rise to the Occasion. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. Periodic medical evaluations had not found Lobo healthy enough to proceed. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. 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.