Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. 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. Contact OSACs, https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/, External links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein, Travel Advisory: Honduras - Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), Central America Natural Disaster Emergency Planning: OSAC Guidance and Resources. 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. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Riverdale, MD 20737. 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. Passing on blind corners is common. The STSS completed 29 child labor inspections as of September and identified 13 minors working without permission. The Honduran National Police maintain internal security and report to the Secretariat of Security. In addition, Honduras is situated in an active seismic zone, so tremors are to be expected. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. 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. Review OSACs report, Surviving a Protest. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. The government allocated a budget of nearly 21 million lempiras ($865,000) for the continued operation of a protection mechanism for journalists, human rights defenders, and judicial-sector operators. The law prohibits the use of children younger than 18 for exhibitions or performances of a sexual nature or in the production of pornography. Spurred by anger with the government over accusations of public corruption, allegations of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and efforts to pass controversial education reform, protests and demonstrations were near-daily occurrences at times during 2019. Supporters of Honduran environmental and Indigenous rights activist, Berta Cceres, hold signs with her name and likeness during the trial of Roberto David Castillo, who was charged with her murder, outside of the Supreme Court building in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on April 6, 2021. Anti-corruption prosecutors have been left defenseless. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, b. An independent press and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for members of the media. The Secretariat of Human Rights stated it was taking every precaution to protect prisoners rights and assure that the work provided opportunities for prisoners to develop skills they could use in legal economic activities after their release. There were no reports of this law being used to limit womens employment. The law prohibits night work and overtime for minors younger than 18, but the STSS may grant special permission for minors between the ages of 16 to 18 to work in the evening if such employment does not adversely affect their education. Many inspectors asked workers to provide them with transportation so that they could conduct inspections, since the STSS could not pay for travel to worksites. 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. The government failed to control pervasive gang-related violence and criminal activity within the prisons. Officers filed a report for theft and criminal damage to property at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Denison Avenue in Manhattan. Publishing or Corruption along with a lack of investigative resources and judicial delays led to widespread impunity, including in security forces. Since 2010, 42 journalists have been killed, UNESCO reported. There have been repeated allegations of collusion between security forces and criminal organizations. 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. INCIDENTS. EFR CPR/AED; The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Honduras fragile institutions fail to protect the rights of children, including adolescents, and ensure that they have access to basic services such as education and healthcare, the IACHR reported in 2019. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. The law prohibits employers from requiring pregnancy tests as a prerequisite for employment; penalties were not sufficient to deter violations. 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. This figure is projected to rise by 0.5 million by June 2023. Occupational Safety and Health: The government did not effectively enforce occupational safety and health standards, particularly in the construction, garment assembly, and agricultural sectors, as well as in the informal economy. ELITES AND CRIME / 1 NOV 2022 Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. The law provides that police may make arrests only with a warrant unless they make the arrest during the commission of a crime, there is strong suspicion that a person has committed a crime and might otherwise evade criminal prosecution, or they encounter a person in possession of evidence related to a crime. Discrimination: Although the law accords women and men the same legal rights and status, including property rights in divorce cases, many women did not fully enjoy such rights due to barriers in access to justice and lack of information regarding legal protections. In terms of natural disasters, Honduras experiences a wet season from May to November that poses a number of dangerous threats, including hurricanes, landslides, mudslides, and flooding. Under the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework, with significant support from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the government continued to build capacity to provide services to vulnerable populations, including IDPs, those at risk of forced displacement, refugees, and returned migrants. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. CONADEH received complaints involving human rights abuses and referred them to the Public Ministry for investigation. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. CONADEH reported 69 cases of alleged torture or cruel and inhuman treatment by security forces through August, while the Public Ministry received 18 such reports. 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. -threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). On March 3, unknown assailants killed Martin Pandy, president of the Garifuna community of Corozal, and another community member. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. 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. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. 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. According to Human Rights Watch, Honduras is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for members of these groups. Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. The National Interinstitutional Security Force coordinates the overlapping responsibilities of the national police, military police of public order, National Intelligence Directorate, and Public Ministry during interagency operations. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. In 2022, 34 femicides have been registered as of 21 In 2022, 34 femicides were registered and 17. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. 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. Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. There was limited support for persons with mental illnesses or disabilities. A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. The government generally respected these provisions. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. 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. Honduras is one of the Western Hemispheres deadliest countries for journalists, with security forces representing their biggest threat, Reporters Without Borders noted in 2021. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. Share this via WhatsApp NGOs reported the government did not effectively combat discrimination and promote equal access to government services or employment opportunities. Share this via Printer. On April 27, the Public Ministry filed an indictment against police officer Jarol Rolando Perdomo Sarmiento for the February 6 murder of Keyla Martinez in La Esperanza, Intibuca Department. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted for violence. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. The law provides for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights. 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. The law provides for the right to a fair and public trial; however, the judiciary did not always enforce this right. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing 911. Transgender women were particularly vulnerable to employment and education discrimination; many could find employment only as sex workers, increasing their vulnerability to violence and extortion. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. 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). Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Estimates of the number of active gang members range from 5,000 to 40,000. The Public Ministry is responsible for prosecuting violations. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. A 59-year-old man was listed as the victim when it was . The safety situation in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime. Workers had difficulty exercising the rights to form and join unions and to engage in collective bargaining, and the government failed to enforce applicable laws effectively. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. The most recent national and local elections were held in November. 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. Penalties include prison sentences of up to two years and monetary fines. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy, Animal Product Import and Export (APIE) 4700 River Road, Unit 40. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. Honduras ranked second in the world regarding the number of killings of land and environmental defenders per capita, according to the NGO Global Witness. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). 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. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. In some industries, including agriculture, domestic service, and security, employers did not respect maternity rights or pay minimum wage, overtime, or vacation. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Some NGOs 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. It prohibits employer retribution against employees for engaging in trade union activities. 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. The government investigated and prosecuted some of these crimes, but impunity was widespread. Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. According to UN reports from 2020, transnational gang activity was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement. By law women have equal access to educational opportunities. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. The CA-4 agreement among El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras allows for the inspection-free movement of citizens among these countries, reducing overall inspection at land crossings. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. As of December 2020, internally displaced people in Honduras represented almost 80 percent of the internally displaced population in Central America and Mexico. Forced labor occurred in street vending, domestic service, the transport of drugs and other illicit goods, other criminal activity, and the informal sector. Some would-be muggers and gang members keep to a daily schedule, riding city buses from one stop to the next, committing criminal acts with impunity along the way. 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. In 2019, more than 360,000 children between 5 and 17 years old worked, and only half of children under 18 years old attended school, according to the National Statistics Unit. 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. From January to June, the OV-UNAH documented eight violent deaths in prisons. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. 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. The law presumes an accused person is innocent. The Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. The law applies equally to citizens and foreigners, regardless of gender, and prescribes a maximum eight-hour shift per day for most workers, a 44-hour workweek, and at least one 24-hour rest period for every six days of work. Birth Registration: Children derive citizenship by birth in the country, from the citizenship of their parents, or by naturalization. Because labor inspectors continued to be concentrated in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, full labor inspections and follow-up visits to confirm compliance were far less frequent in other parts of the country. 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. 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. Some larger cities have police forces that operate independently of the national police and report to municipal authorities. Under the new inspection law, the STSS has the authority temporarily to shut down workplaces where there is an imminent danger of fatalities; however, there were not enough trained inspectors to deter violations sufficiently. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. The location and timing of criminal activity are unpredictable. The designation requires banks to impose a higher level of scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. Gangs control some of the taxi services. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Section 1. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. 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. In most prisons only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. The law prohibits members of the armed forces and police, as well as certain other public employees, from forming labor unions. The homicide rate in Honduras was 42 per 100,000 people in 2019, making it one of the most violent countries in the world. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem. Marco Bogran, former director of INVEST-H, the Honduran government entity tasked with providing coronavirus pandemic relief contracts to private firms, remained in pretrial detention awaiting his next court appearance, scheduled for January 31, 2022. 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. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Share this via Telegram In security and domestic service sectors, workers were frequently forced to work more than 60 hours per week but paid only for 44 hours. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. 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. See the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. 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. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing, . Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. 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. As of September the Secretariat of Human Rights reported the countrys pretrial detention center held 33 individuals. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. According to the Inter-American Press Association, 29 journalists were beneficiaries of official protective measures. From January to July, 7,007 accompanied and 676 unaccompanied Honduran children requested asylum. The government cooperated with UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations that provide protection and assistance to refugees and other persons of concern. The Secretariat of Human Rights reported three prisoner deaths due to COVID-19 through September. Review OSACs reports, There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. honduras crime and safety report 2021 honduras crime and safety report 2021. google mountain view charge cash app; wect news bladen county; honduras crime and safety report 2021; honduras crime and safety report 2021. danville jail mugshots; marlin 1898 stock; 39 miles hunan impression . Penalties for facilitating child sex trafficking are six to 12 years in prison and monetary fines. As a result of Honduran government efforts in close cooperation with the United States, homicide rates have fallen from 86.0 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 43.6 per 100,000 at the end of 2019. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.