According to a report published in June 2020 by the Network Against Anti-Union Violence, 36 trade unionists were murdered between 2009 and 2019. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well- known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. The UNSDG guides, supports, tracks and oversees the coordination of development operations in 162 countries and territories. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. This amount was an increase from 5.53 million lempiras ($221,400) provided in 2019, though officials reported they lacked adequate financial and human resources to provide comprehensive victim care, support victims throughout the country, and collect and analyze victim data. The government modernized its national identification card system and began distributing new national identification cards in February 2021. This is a common practice for most automobile accidents where personal injury occurs, and for cases in which someone is accused of a criminal act. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. UNODC collects data on crime and the operation of criminal justice systems in order to make policy-relevant information and analysis available in a timely manner to the international community. A woman is likely to be killed every 36 hours in this country. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. The campaign includes a docuseries in which the testimonies of women survivors, like Rosa Mara, are central to raise awareness among the Honduran population on zero tolerance of all forms ofviolenceagainstwomenand girls. 0. First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandezs Migration Task Force continued to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to informing Hondurans about the dangers of irregular migration, including trafficking risks, and the government continued public awareness campaigns warning of trafficking risks along migratory routes through Guatemala and Mexico. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. Please check your download folder. Dial 911 for emergency or call (504) 2232-4092. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. El Salvador is not dangerous for travelers as violence has declined to its lowest level in over 30 years. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Authorities reported restrictions implemented to mitigate the pandemic impeded investigations in commercial venues where trafficking has been known to occur and slowed investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes. 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. Congressional Research Service - Honduras - 2019, 2020. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth. The government initially allocated 8.93 million lempiras ($357,150) to CICESCT but later decreased its actual disbursement to 6.18 million lempiras ($247,020) due to pandemic-related funds redistribution and budget cuts. Child victims could receive care from government or NGO shelters, while women had the option of receiving assistance from NGO shelters; there were no specialized shelters for trafficking victims and no shelters that accepted men. Shall I live on, or shall I die? Highlights July 27, 2022: Student Reports of Bullying: Results from the 2019 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey July 12, 2022: Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools in 2019-20: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety June 28, 2022: For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. Caption: Ana Cruz of Asociacin Calidad de Vida, an anti-violence organization. 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 government provided 31 victims with witness protection services including measures to protect their identity; shelter; and economic, medical and psychosocial assistance. Children, including from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, particularly Miskito boys, are at risk for forced labor in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing, mining, and hospitality industries. The government followed a regional protocol to facilitate the repatriation of victims identified abroad and funded food, transportation, and lodging for such victims through a fund administered by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Honduras. Earlier. Review OSACs reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Visas - Most countries do not need a visa in order to enter Honduras for any stays shorter than 30 days.Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your date of arrival. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing 911. Honduras's most dangerous cities or towns: Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, El Progreso, El Paraso at Copn, Tocoa, Olancho, La Lima, Puerto Corts. 2.2. 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 their wellbeing and that of their families. The Government of Honduras has a very limited law enforcement presence in some northern coastal areas, including parts of the departments of Olancho, Colon, and Gracias a Dios. We have provided a few examples below that you can copy and paste to your site: Your data export is now complete. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. Perpetrators of sexual assaults are often armed. According to the Global Peace Index, the island of Roatan, as a part of Honduras, shares its ranking of 123 out of 163 countries analyzed. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. 4-Minute Listen Playlist Download Transcript NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with veteran journalist Carlos Dada, founder of El Faro newspaper, about his latest reporting from Honduras. Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras. Last update: October 2022. Safety in El Salvador. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. The government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. The state of emergency, in place since Dec. 6 in 165 areas of Honduras' largest two cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, has been expanded to 235 of the country's 298 municipalities, the . The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. In 2013, Honduras had the highest rate of violent deaths of women in the world. Medical care is limited. Index; Crime Index: 51.16: Safety Index: 48.84: Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras. 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. CICESCT provided 76,970 lempiras ($3,080) to an NGO operating a shelter that accommodated women, girls, and boys up to age 12 and dedicated 318,040 lempiras ($12,720) to victims immediate needs including food, hygiene supplies, and lodging. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. Despite significant Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. Honduras Country Report 2022. . Information provided is subject to change without notice. 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. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. 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 . Caption: UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford meets with survivors at a local safe house. Government agencies, including CICESCT, its local committees, the Public Ministry, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the Secretariat of Education, provided anti-trafficking trainings to police, lawyers, judges, other government officials, tourism professionals, civil society organizations, teachers, and members of the public throughout the country; due to the pandemic, the government conducted the majority of trainings virtually, which allowed them to reach more stakeholders and decrease costs. "Two years ago, I came asking for help at a time when I couldn't take it anymore, to the extent that I intended to attempt against my life, with no hope for anything. Learn about employment opportunities across the UNSDG. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. Children living on the streets are at risk for sex and labor trafficking. However, Honduran law enforcement authorities ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals is limited. Honduran law prohibited the prosecution of victims for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit. HOUSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Tegucigalpa and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Rufino Garza Monroy, a twice-deported foreign fugitive from the United States on Feb. 24. 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), including Atlntida, Coln, Corts, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Yoro. Authorities identified five of the victims through calls to government hotlines, and 16 were identified in Mexico or Guatemala and repatriated to Honduras. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. Yes, despite all the historical crime and violence, which don't affect tourists, El Salvador is safe to visit in 2023. 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 U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Our message is that we shouldnt leave womens and feminist institutions that fight to eradicate violence against women alone [on their mission], said Ana Cruz of Asociacin Calidad de Vida, an anti-violence organization. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Gangs control some of the taxi services. Officials report family problems, unemployment, and lack of access to healthcare exacerbate these risks. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. In 2012, a U.S. citizen reported that his boat was boarded and his passengers were the victims of an armed robbery while sailing in Honduran waters near Puerto Cortes, three miles north of Punta Sal. The government offered services to both forced labor and sex trafficking victims but identified a disproportionately low number of forced labor victims compared to the estimated prevalence of forced labor in the country. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Individuals should also limit the sharing of personal information and closely screen personal employees. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Honduran police generally do not speak English. In Honduras, the United Nations is committed to continue working together with a wide range ofsectors of the country in achieving a more just and equitable society, where it isnt dangerous to be a woman. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. First responders referred potential trafficking victims to CICESCTs immediate response team, composed of two psychologists and a social worker, for immediate support. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Since 2010, Honduras has had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, ranging between 59 and 86 per 100,000 according to the U.S. Department of State. Contact OSACs Latin America team with any questions or to join. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. Courts issued prison sentences ranging from three to 13 years for convicted adult traffickers and ordered some of them to pay monetary fines to the government. 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. CICESCT reported using online training platforms to educate stakeholders on the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on trafficking trends and how to adapt. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Spotlight Initiative and in partnership with civil society organizations, launched the "The Other Pandemic" campaign in order to activate a social movement to address and prevent gender-based violence. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras BARRIO 18 / 17 JAN 2023 To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. The government also enacted a new penal code provision that brought the definition of trafficking in line with the definition under international law. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Honduras. 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. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. Honduras - Safety & Security ; Honduras - Country Commercial Guide Honduras Country Commercial Guide. Honduran law allowed foreign victims to receive temporary or permanent residency status, including authorization to work, though the government did not identify any foreign victims in 2020. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us. 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. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. 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. CICESCT referred 37 victimsfive boys, 22 girls, and 10 womento government and NGO shelters for additional care. In contrast, the enrollment in secondary schools dropped to 52%, while post-secondary education was attended by just 26% of the relevant age group in 2020. . Is Honduras Safe to Travel Alone Traveling solo is becoming more popular and within Latin America, more people including myself have set out to travel alone. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. "Indeed, women are the affected ones, but as men, we have a greater opportunity to influence other men and make them reflect on how we impact our sisters, friends and colleagues with our behaviour. This report is a result of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and complies with Federal reporting requirements, specifically 20 U.S. Code Section 1092 (f). As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. This resulted in multiple protests by environmentalist groups claiming the project is illegal due to the damage to the bioreserve and exacerbating the citys already dire water shortage. Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan should be avoided after dark. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. 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. 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. Among the 45 Cuban medical professionals the government contracted to assist during the pandemic, some may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2011 Global Study on Homicide, Honduras has the highest per capita homicide rate in the world, with 86 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. UNODC works on the development of standards for national crime and criminal justice information systems and for the conduct of victimization surveys. AUDIE CORNISH,. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Crime Information for Tourists in Ecuador Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatn). 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. The rainy season usually runs May-November. Increase efforts to identify victims, including among particularly vulnerable populations such as adult migrants, and provide assistance to all victims, including forced labor victims. According to the UNDP report on Honduras, in 2020, the primary school enrollment rate reached 92%. Red Cross ambulance: 911, (504) 2227-7474 or (504) 2227-7575. Armed men have forced vehicles transporting tourists off the road and robbed the victims, occasionally assaulting the driver or passengers. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel. 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).