International Child Abductions: The country is a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. , 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. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. On March 3, unknown assailants killed Martin Pandy, president of the Garifuna community of Corozal, and another community member. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due tocrime. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 2021 at Pioneer Park with murder November 2017 shorter! The law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (. ) 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. 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. Indigenous communities continued to report threats and acts of violence against them and against community and environmental activists. 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. Many employers discriminated against women. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. 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. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted for violence. 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. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. In a 2020 survey by UNHCR and UNICEF, half of Hondurans interviewed in Mexico named violence as the main reason for their leaving. 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 . Displaced Children: Civil society organizations reported that common causes of forced displacement for youth included death threats for failure to pay extortion, attempted recruitment by gangs, witnessing criminal activity by gangs or organized criminal groups, domestic violence, attempted kidnappings, family members involvement in drug dealing, victimization by traffickers, rape including commercial sexual exploitation by gangs, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, sexual harassment, and discrimination for having a chronic medical condition. The security situation is expected to continue to deteriorate in 2020 and 2021. The law prohibits all forms of forced labor, but the government did not effectively implement or enforce the law. CONAPREV conducted 138 visits to prisons as of September. Roads have poor lighting and markings. The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. In June, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights held that Honduras violated the rights to life and personal integrity of Vicky Hernndez, a transgender woman killed during the 2009 coup. The government launched a new Ministry of Transparency in November 2020 to address some of these concerns. 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. 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. Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of organized criminal groups. 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. Violence was often rooted in a broader context of conflict over land and natural resources, extensive corruption, lack of transparency and community consultation, other criminal activity, and limited state ability to protect the rights of vulnerable communities. Port agencies have worked to improve taxi service to/from ports. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. 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. The government did not effectively enforce these laws and regulations, although penalties were commensurate with laws related to civil rights, such as election interference. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. According to the Inter-American Press Association, 29 journalists were beneficiaries of official protective measures. As of September CONADEH had received 33 complaints. The law presumes an accused person is innocent. The STSS may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. 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. For crimes with minimum sentences of six years imprisonment, the law authorizes pretrial detention of up to two years. Several UN special rapporteurs and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances warned, in April, of growing numbers of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador who have disappeared in Mexico, including 741 Hondurans from March through August 2019. 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. The safety situation in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. The law allows persons charged with some felonies to avail themselves of bail and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. 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. Credible allegations of corruption in the STSS continued. Your session will expire soon and log you out. On July 5, the National Tribunal Court found Roberto David Castillo Mejia guilty for his role as one of the alleged intellectual authors of her murder. No cases were reported during the year. Schools were closed in March 2020 and had not yet returned to full in-person classes by September 2021. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. 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. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. In most prisons only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices. In addition women experienced delays in accessing justice due to police who failed to process complaints in a timely manner or judicial system officials who deferred scheduling hearings. Birth Registration: Children derive citizenship by birth in the country, from the citizenship of their parents, or by naturalization. Employers rarely paid the minimum wage in the agricultural sector and paid it inconsistently in other sectors. Violence against LGBT individuals displaces many internally and forces others to leave the country to seek asylum. Such an order may be effective for up to six days, after which the judge must hold a pretrial hearing to examine whether there is probable cause to continue pretrial detention. The law also sanctions abortion providers. The Jewish community numbered approximately 275 members. These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. 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. Most child labor occurred in rural areas. In addition the center estimated approximately 937,000 individuals were forcibly displaced by natural disasters during 2020. In the 2013 census, approximately 8.5 percent of the population identified themselves as members of indigenous communities, but other estimates were higher. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. 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. 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. Honduras lacks a comprehensive legislative framework that includes women with disabilities and policies to combat domestic violence. honduras crime and safety report 2021. There were no reports of this law being used to limit womens employment. 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. Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. A 22-year-old woman was listed as the victim when it was reported her Tao Blade . In-country Movement: There were areas where authorities could not assure freedom of movement because of criminal activity and a lack of significant government presence. Major urban centers and drug trafficking routes experienced the highest rates of violence. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Judges face interferenceincluding political pressure, threats, and harassmentfrom the executive branch, private actors with connections to government, and gangs. Children, including from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, particularly Miskito boys, were at risk for forced labor in the agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, mining, construction, and hospitality industries. 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The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. The most recent national and local elections were held in November. 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 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 investigated and prosecuted some of these crimes, but impunity was widespread. Following anticorruption protests in 2015, President Hernandez signed an agreement with the Organization of American States to form the Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. The government tasks CONAPREV with visiting prisons and making recommendations for protecting the rights of prisoners. 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. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. The Public Ministry received one report of discrimination based on an individuals disability as of September. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. LGBT people are frequently targets of discrimination, extortion, and violence from gangs, the national civil police and military police, and members of the public. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. Would you like to continue with this session or log out? Around 191,000 people were internally displaced because of violence between 2004 and 2018, the government reported. . The rainy season usually runs May-November. Corruption: The new trial of former first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo on charges of fraud and misappropriation of public funds, originally set to commence in March, was twice delayed for medical reasons. The law prohibits employment discrimination based on gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political opinion or affiliation, marital status, race or ethnicity, national origin, language, place of residence, religion, family or economic situation, disability, or health. According to UN reports from 2020, transnational gang activity was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement. 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 Human Rights Secretariat (SEDH) informed that 314 women were murdered in Honduras in 2021. The law requires individuals and companies that employ more than 20 school-age children at their facilities to provide a location for a school. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (Colectivo and Rolatero) in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. 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. honduras crime and safety report 2022. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid 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. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations. The Public Ministry also has the Special Prosecutors Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators, and Justice Officials. 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. Vote View Results . Although Honduras has reduced its homicide rate by half since 2011, it remains one of the worlds highest, with 44.8 murders per 100,000 population in 2019. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. As of September the Public Ministry had received nine reports of racial or ethnic discrimination. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Discrimination and Societal Abuses, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination, Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, a. Overseas Security Advisory Council Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes all forms of rape of women or men, including spousal rape. 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 The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. 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. Media linked her killing to organized criminal groups and drug trafficking organizations. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. drivers licenses, vehicle registration). Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. There were no credible reports of political prisoners or detainees. 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 media, including threats to media members by criminal elements and the existence of criminal libel laws; serious government corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence; and crimes involving violence or threats of violence against indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, and against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons. Although 74 percent of births were attended by skilled health care personnel, NGOs reported significant gaps in obstetric care, especially in rural areas. Of those, 37,114 were deported from Mexico and 4,689 from the US. Censorship or Content Restrictions: Media members and NGOs stated the press self-censored due to fear of retaliation from organized criminal groups or corrupt government officials. Defendants may not be compelled to testify or confess guilt. 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. The law prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of emergency contraception for any reason, including for survivors of sexual violence. The law also imposes prison sentences of up to two years, eight months for child labor violations that endanger the life or morality of a child age 16 or 17 and up to three years, four months for children younger than 16. Hondurans continue to be affected by MS-13 and Calle 18 gang activity in cities such as Tegucigalpa, Choloma, La Ceiba, Tela, and San Pedro Sula. 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. 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. 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. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, a. U.S. Department of State. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Fines for child labor were not sufficient to deter violations and not commensurate with penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. 2022 Investment Climate Statements: Honduras In this section / Executive Summary Executive Summary 1. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Nevertheless, social discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons persisted, as did physical violence. The law was not effectively enforced, and weak public institutional structures contributed to the inadequate enforcement. Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Although the law generally prohibits such actions, a legal exception allows government authorities to enter a private residence to prevent a crime or in case of another emergency. Media noted that family members often faced long delays or were unable to visit detainees. 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. Defendants may receive free assistance from an interpreter. Authorities generally respected these rights. The government did not effectively enforce the law. 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. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media, b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association, d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country, e. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons, Section 3.