osac crime and safety report honduras

There was no information available on any major industrial accidents. Avoid traveling at night and always drive with doors locked and windows rolled up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets. The Jewish community numbered approximately 150 members. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). Authorities continued to search for the individuals who ordered the homicide. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. Improvements: On March 10, the armed forces officially transferred control of the National Prison Institute to the National Police as part of a government initiative to demilitarize prisons. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. 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. 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. 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. On July 14, alleged members of the MS-13 gang wearing antigang unit uniforms killed Said Lobo Bonilla, son of former President Porfirio Lobo, and three other persons in a targeted attack in Tegucigalpa. 08 Jul. 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 government attempted to enhance its response to domestic violence by elevating the National Womens Institute to a cabinet-level secretariat in March. Libel/Slander Laws: Citizens, including public officials, may initiate criminal proceedings for libel and slander. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. NOTE: OSAC RESOURCE TASK GROUP (RTG . Media noted that family members often faced long delays or were unable to visit detainees. 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. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. The Honduran government is modernizing some of the main transportation road networks to four-lane highways, which can lead to increased travel times because of ongoing construction. The law prohibits workers from legally striking until direct negotiations and government-accompanied mediation and conciliation have failed. These reporting centers were in addition to the 298 government-operated womens offices one in each municipality that provided a wide array of services, focusing on education, personal finance, health, social and political participation, environmental stewardship, and prevention of gender-based violence. DOS: Northern Triangle Country Conditions: Ranking the Highest and Lowest Areas of Reported, Homicides, Disappearances, and Extortion - May 2019. As of August, CONADEH had received 35 complaints. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. The trial on murder charges of Josu Exequiel Martnez, Siriaco Meja Santos, Francisco Lpez Lazo, and Mario Anbal Lpez Velsquez began on November 25. Abusive Physical Conditions: Prisoners suffered from severe overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of adequate sanitation and medical care, and, in some prisons, lack of adequate ventilation and lighting. The document was compiled from various ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. The U.S. Embassy strongly discourages intercity car and bus travel after dark. Campbell, who had been on the run for five years after being charged with money laundering in Honduras, was arrested in June 2021 in Nicaragua. According to CONAPREV, the system was designed for approximately 13,000 inmates. The armed forces, which report to the Secretariat of Defense, are responsible for external security but also exercise some domestic security responsibilities in support of the national police and other civilian authorities. The constitution prohibits practicing clergy from running for office or participating in political campaigns. On May 1, unknown assailants killed Alonso Salgado, a former member of the neighborhood council of the Ro Tinto Garfuna community and a member of the Garfuna rights organization OFRANEH, in Tela, Atlntida Department. According to the report, informal workers played a large role in nearly every industry, including agriculture and fishing; mining; manufacturing; utilities; construction; wholesale, retail, hotels, and restaurants; transport and storage; and personal services. 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. The government investigated and prosecuted some of these crimes, but impunity was widespread. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as. There is also a Human Rights Committee in the National Congress. Criminal groups, including local and transnational gangs and narcotics traffickers, were significant perpetrators of violent crimes and committed acts of homicide, torture, kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, intimidation, and other threats and violence directed against human rights defenders, judicial authorities, lawyers, business community members, journalists, bloggers, women, and other vulnerable populations. On January 13, National Police officials in Trujillo, Coln Department, allegedly detained and tortured Luis Alberto Gutirrez and Leonard Brown, beating Gutirrez and Brown in the police station. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. It also provides for paid national holidays and annual leave. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over security forces. On September 22, the court in a preliminary hearing charged Eber Ezequiel Espinoza and Erick David Macas Rodrguez with quadruple homicide. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. In some industries, including agriculture, domestic service, and security, employers did not respect maternity rights or pay minimum wage, overtime, or vacation. The Institute for National Statistics put net enrollment for primary school at 77 percent in 2021, but the National Center for Social Sector Information stated that in 2020, 43 percent of persons with disabilities received no formal education. The law prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of emergency contraception for any reason, including by survivors of sexual violence. Nearly 46 percent of incarcerated individuals were in pretrial detention. 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. Your session will expire soon and log you out. According to data (most recent available) from the government and UNHCR, more than 247,000 persons were displaced by violence between 2014 and 2018, of whom 43 percent were children and adolescents. Authorities continued to investigate the incident. 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. Unions also raised concerns that employers used temporary contracts to prevent unionization and to avoid providing full benefits. The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights. The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor, c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment, d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation. 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, including HIV or AIDS status. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. There are no legal cases involving instances of terrorism affecting U.S. citizens or facilities brought before the Honduran judicial system, and no reports of judicial developments that would have a negative impact on U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. gangs are the most active and powerful. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators, but the failure of the government to collect fines facilitated continued violations. 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. Persons with disabilities, Indigenous and Afro-descendant persons, LGBTQI+ persons, and persons with HIV or AIDS also faced discrimination in employment and occupation (also see section 6). Although many press outlets were politically aligned, the press and prevailing democratic norms combined to promote freedom of expression, including for members of the media. The government considers rape a crime of public concern, and the state prosecutes suspected rapists even if survivors do not press charges. The government tasks CONAPREV with visiting prisons and making recommendations for protecting the rights of prisoners. The law criminalizes sexual harassment, including in employment. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. In the security and domestic service sectors, workers were frequently forced to work more than 60 hours per week but paid only for 44 hours. On September 6, the Public Ministry charged former Minister of National Risk and Contingency Management Gabriel Rub and two other government officials with fraud and violation of official duties for the nearly six million lempira ($239,000) purchase in 2020 of a mobile hospital and COVID-19 isolation unit that was only a tent. Review OSACs report, Surviving a Protest. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. 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 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. On January 10, unknown assailants shot and killed transgender activist Thala Rodrguez in her home in Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazn Department. Victims were primarily impoverished individuals in both rural and urban areas (see section 7.c.). Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Title insurance is not widely available in Honduras and approximately 80% of the privately held land in the country is either untitled or improperly titled. As of October, at least 24 defendants used the law to have corruption cases dismissed. Review the State Departments webpage on security for, Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem, and the government did not effectively enforce the law. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. There were credible complaints that police occasionally failed to obtain the required authorization before entering private homes. Please review OSAC's Honduras-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information. 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 freedom of expression and media, including threats to media members by criminal elements; 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. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Some NGOs and political parties 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. Long periods of pretrial detention remained common, with many pretrial detainees held with convicted prisoners. 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. 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. The purpose of the labor stoppage and demonstrations was to denounce the nonpayment of wages by the Secretariat of Health and other issues. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. As of September, CONAPREV reported the countrys detention center for high-profile suspects and those in need of additional security, including police and military officials, held 29 individuals. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. 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. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. There were several reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. By law, 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. The government generally respected these provisions. Honduras and U.S. Relations. Public-sector trade unionists raised concerns regarding government interference in trade union activities, including its ignoring or suspending collective agreements and its dismissals of union members and leaders. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. According to the Honduran Commission for Human Rights (Conadeh), 75 people died in attacks against the public transport service in Honduras between January and July 2019. Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their name and legal gender status. Uniforms and vehicles are all clearly marked. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing, . It prohibits employer retribution against employees for engaging in trade union activities. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. 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. Latest Posts. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Section 1. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. Authorities did not generally segregate those with tuberculosis or other infectious diseases from the general prison population. Nevertheless, observers said social discrimination against racial and ethnic groups persisted, as did physical violence. The law places restrictions on these rights, such as requiring that a recognized trade union represent at least 30 workers, prohibiting foreign nationals from holding union offices, and requiring that union officials work in the same substantive area of the business as the workers they represent. Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices Specifically Targeting LGBTQI+ Individuals: There were no reports of unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex persons. The United Nations reported the adolescent birth rate was 89 births per 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19. 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. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. Most women in the workforce engaged in lower-status and lower-paying informal occupations, such as domestic service, without the benefit of legal protections. The limited capacity of the government to enforce international standards related to natural resource exploitation has resulted in higher levels of conflict in the extractive and electrical generation industries. Penalties for violations of OSH law were commensurate with penalties for similar crimes but rarely applied against violators and rarely collected. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. The law grants workers the right to form and join unions of their choice, bargain collectively, and strike. The government did not effectively enforce the law. On June 20, the National Tribunal Court sentenced Roberto David Castillo Meja to more than 22 years in prison for his role as one of the alleged coauthors of her murder. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. Access to Asylum: The law provides for granting asylum or refugee status. The Secretariat of Labor may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. The law establishes an independent and impartial judiciary in civil matters, including access to a court to seek damages for human rights violations. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. The government has an Office for Persons with Disabilities located within the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, but its ability to provide services to persons with disabilities was limited. Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 33 cases of arbitrary arrest through August. Criminal groups, such as drug traffickers and local and transnational gangs including MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, committed killings, extortion, kidnappings, human trafficking, and intimidation of police, prosecutors, journalists, women, human rights defenders, and others. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. OSAC encourages travelers to, to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Violence and Harassment: On May 26, unknown assailants shot and killed Metro TV journalist Ricardo vila in Marcovia, Choluteca Department. Some judges, however, ruled that such suspects may be released on the condition that they continue to report periodically to authorities. Its support focused on providing training to officers of the National Institute for Migration, ensuring support to deal with the backlog of asylum claims submitted during the COVID-19 lockdown, and supporting the improvement of reception conditions for asylum seekers. While all formal workers are entitled to social security, there were reports that both public- and private-sector employers failed to pay into the social security system. Authorities charged two individuals with her murder, one of whom remained at large. Major cities (e.g. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: Transiting migrants, forcibly displaced populations, and asylum seekers with pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations. The law provides for the right to a fair and public trial; however, the judiciary did not always enforce these rights. The final verdict was pending a constitutional appeal. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. drivers licenses, vehicle registration). The governments National Policy to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination seeks to promote equality and combat discrimination related to the countrys two Afro-descendent and seven Indigenous groups (see below), 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.
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