Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Established in 2016 by the government and the OAS, MACCIH contributed to the prosecution of 133 people, including congresspeople and senior officials, 14 of whom stood trial. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. On October 7, in a special session held during the Francisco Morazan national holiday, the National Congress passed a change to the penal code expanding the definition of encroachment (trespassing) by designating streets and parks as protected spaces and redefining groups of protesters to include as few as two persons. By law workers may remove themselves from situations that endanger their health or safety without jeopardizing continued employment. HONDURAS / 19 APR 2022 BY SETH ROBBINS EN. Credible observers noted problems in trial procedures, such as a lack of admissible evidence, judicial corruption, witness intimidation, and an ineffective witness protection program. Honduras has the highest rate of femicidedefined as the killing of a woman by a man because of her genderin Latin America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean reports. 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. Perdomo allegedly killed Keyla Martinez after she was detained for violating the countrys COVID-19 curfew. Cruise ship industry contacts report that approximately one million U.S. citizens enter the country by ship every year, primarily in Roatn, but also in La Ceiba on the northern coast. The trial has been marred by irregularities. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. 2018 toyota rav4 pros and cons. By law women have equal access to educational opportunities. There were numerous reports of government corruption during the year. Would you like to continue with this session or log out? The 2022 Annual Report briefly summarizes RPD's experience in public safety throughout the year with notable activity from the Department's four divisions: Patrol, Investigations, Services and Community Services. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. These reporting centers were in addition to the 298 government-operated womens offices one in each municipality that provided a wide array of services to women, focusing on education, personal finance, health, social and political participation, environmental stewardship, and prevention of gender-based violence. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Fines for child labor were not sufficient to deter violations and not commensurate with penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. In September, the OAS and Honduras signed an agreement to allow an OAS electoral observation mission to the November elections to elect president, legislators, and local authorities. The law requires police to inform persons of the grounds for their arrest and bring detainees before a competent judicial authority within 24 hours. To reduce overcrowding in response to the pandemic, the legislature approved alternatives to pretrial detention and judges have released more than 1,600 people. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. As of September CONADEH had received 33 complaints. Other ways to share Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of organized criminal groups. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Monopoly on the use of force '06 '22 10 1 5 6 5 While the nation-state is recognized by the majority of the population as legitimate, deep mistrust continues to exist between the state and significant parts of its citizens. Some judges, however, ruled that such suspects may be released on the condition that they continue to report periodically to authorities. Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. Call Us : 0353 - 2574030 | nina auchincloss straight. There were different methodologies to measure the size of the informal economy, and a March 2020 UNDP report estimated that 82 percent of workers were part of the informal economy. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. The government did not effectively enforce the law. On April 23, the Public Ministry arrested and charged Josue Exequiel Martinez Martinez, Siriaco Mejia Santos, Francisco Lopez Lazo, and Mario Anibal Lopez Velasquez for the December 2020 murder of Felix Vasquez. Coca farms and cocaine production camps are proliferating in Honduras, showing that the illicit crop has taken root in the country after years of low-level experimentation. Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing 911. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Media noted that family members often faced long delays or were unable to visit detainees. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. You can add more than one country or area. Counterfeit medicines are available in, (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported in, Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. In January 2020, the government shut down the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 2021 at Pioneer Park with murder November 2017 shorter! As of December 2020, internally displaced people in Honduras represented almost 80 percent of the internally displaced population in Central America and Mexico. 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 free expression and On October 7, the National Congress passed changes to the money-laundering law to designate civil society organizations as politically exposed persons due to organizations use of foreign aid. Some of the worst forms of child labor occurred, including commercial sexual exploitation of children, and NGOs reported that gangs often forced children to commit crimes (see section 6, Children). in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. The secretariat reported assisting 127 IDPs as of August. NGOs reported IDPs were at increased risk of victimization and exploitation by criminal groups, which was also often the cause of displacement. Public-sector trade unionists raised concerns regarding government interference in trade union activities, including its suspension or ignoring of collective agreements and its dismissals of union members and leaders. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Credit card skimming is common. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. According to government estimates, children with disabilities attended school at a lower rate than the general population. 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 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. Honduras has failed to uphold the Garifunas right to collective tenure over their lands and to promptly and adequately investigate threats and acts of harassment against community leaders, the IACHR stated in 2020. 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. Serious crime in the city of Ojai was down for the third year in a row in 2022, according to figures released Feb. 22 by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. 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 closed two pretrial detention centers in April due to low numbers of these types of pretrial detainees. 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. There were no government restrictions on academic freedom or cultural events. Libel/Slander Laws: Citizens, including public officials, may initiate criminal proceedings for libel and slander. Pandy was a human rights and land rights activist. Publishing or As of September the Secretariat of Human Rights reported the countrys pretrial detention center held 33 individuals. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Cruise ship industry contacts report that approximately one million U.S. citizens enter the country by ship every year, primarily in Roatn, but also in La Ceiba on the northern coast. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. According to the Inter-American Press Association, 29 journalists were beneficiaries of official protective measures. 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. Administrative penalties were insufficient to deter violations and were rarely enforced. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid 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). 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 Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Litigants may sue a criminal defendant for damages if authorized by a criminal court. The government cooperated with UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations that provide protection and assistance to refugees and other persons of concern. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. Deputies arrested James Weatherly, 63, after serving a search warrant on a property in the 1300 block of West First Street in Halsey, an agency news release said. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. NGOs reported the government did not effectively combat discrimination and promote equal access to government services or employment opportunities. Review the State Departments webpage on. Download Historical Data 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. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. Civil society continued to raise problems with minimum wage violations, highlighting agricultural companies in the south as frequent violators. A revision to the penal code that entered into force in June 2020 broadly reduces criminal penalties for corruption by officials. Roatn and the Bay Islands are geographically separate from the mainland and experience lower crime rates even when compared with other Caribbean islands. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. In 2013, Honduras reformed the penal code to recognize femicide as a crime. 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. Natural Disasters Risk: Medium. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. 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). 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. The Ministry of Securitys Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated members of the Honduran National Police accused of human rights abuses. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. However, many petitions for pandemic release have been rejected. The Supreme Court, particularly its president, exerts excessive control over the appointment and removal of judges, and career instability limits judges independence. The law provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, with some restrictions, and the government generally respected this right. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. According to Human Rights Watch, Honduras is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for members of these groups. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. The government did not effectively enforce these laws and regulations, although penalties were commensurate with laws related to civil rights, such as election interference. 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. They forcibly recruit children and sexually abuse women, girls, and LGBT people. Nevertheless, social discrimination against racial and ethnic groups persisted, as did physical violence. There were credible reports that members of the security forces committed some abuses. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. According to the secretariat, the system was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates. 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. 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. 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. The law prohibits all forms of forced labor, but the government did not effectively implement or enforce the law. In January 2021, the IACHR and the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons urged the government to adopt a law protecting internally displaced people. 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. Honduras voted in favor of an OAS resolution rejecting Venezuelas December 2020 elections, which have been widely considered fraudulent. The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. Most child labor occurred in rural areas. Bogran was arrested in October 2020 on two corruption charges for embezzling an estimated 1.14 billion lempiras ($47 million) in public funds and funneling a contract for mobile hospitals to his uncle, Napoleon Corrales. For information or questions concerning a country's animal disease status and restrictions please contact the APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy, Animal Product Import and Export at: USDA-APHIS. The law allows the release of other suspects pending formal charges, on the condition that they periodically report to authorities, although management of this reporting mechanism was often weak. Long periods of pretrial detention remained common and problematic, with many other pretrial detainees held in the general population with convicted prisoners. 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. Between January and March this year, authorities have destroyed . Abortion is illegal in Honduras under all circumstances, with prison sentences of up to six years. Anti-corruption prosecutors have been left defenseless. 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. honduras crime and safety report 2022. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. 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. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Employers rarely paid the minimum wage in the agricultural sector and paid it inconsistently in other sectors. 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. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, b. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review OSACs reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Departments webpage on driving and road safety abroad. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. Since MACCIH left, the Attorney Generals Office has harassed and intimidated the head of its own anti-corruption criminal enterprise office, Prosecutor Luis Javier Santos, and members of his team. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. INCIDENTS. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, a. Gangs control some of the taxi services. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported that authorities at times failed to enforce these requirements effectively. 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 Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. The U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to the Gracias a Dios Department in eastern Honduras because of credible threat information against U.S citizens. It was unclear how many of these threats were related to the victims professions or activism. Unions also raised concerns regarding the use of temporary contracts and part-time employment, suggesting that employers used these mechanisms to prevent unionization and avoid providing full benefits. The law prohibits all the worst forms of child labor. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem. , 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. As a result, there is no longer free travel between Honduras and Nicaragua. The law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. 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. 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, In the 2013 census, approximately 8.5 percent of the population identified themselves as members of indigenous communities, but other estimates were higher. 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. International Child Abductions: The country is a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The government generally respected these provisions. The ambulance does not have paramedics or emergency medical equipment; it functions solely as transport to hospitals. There were allegations that companies used collective pacts, which are collective contracts with nonunionized workers, to prevent unionization and collective bargaining because only one collective contract may exist in each workplace. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. There were no credible reports of political prisoners or detainees. Openness To, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment Other Investment Policy Reviews Business Facilitation Outward Investment 2. 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. In October 2019, a thief stole the side view mirrors from a U.S. employees personally owned vehicle while it was parked on a side street near the Embassy. In cooperation with the UN Development Program (UNDP), the government operated consolidated reporting centers in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula where women could report crimes, seek medical and psychological attention, and receive other services. 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. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. honduras crime and safety report 2021. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. 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. 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. 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. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. 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. Nevertheless, Honduras had yet to sign the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escaz . 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. The government tasks CONAPREV with visiting prisons and making recommendations for protecting the rights of prisoners. In September police arrested Denis Abel Ordonez, Michael Andre Mejia, and Walter Antonio Matute Raudales in connection with her murder. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. The law does not cover domestic workers, the vast majority of whom were women. U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State Also see the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. As of August it continued to provide protection to 12 journalists, among other types of activists and human rights defenders. Efforts to reform public security institutions have stalled. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings, c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees, f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence, a. The government has a police investigative unit dedicated to investigating violent crimes against the LGBTI+ and other vulnerable communities, composed of Public Ministry prosecutors, members of ATIC (prosecutors investigative agency), and the Honduran National Police; however, it has limited resources and functions primarily in the major urban areas. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. 19 ianuarie 2023 International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. Support and resources from a four-year Organization of American States (OAS) mission to strengthen the fight against corruption and impunity, concluded in January 2020, have not produced lasting reforms.