osac crime and safety report honduras osac crime and safety report honduras
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. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. On April 28, the National Congress repealed the 2014 hourly wage law, thus bringing all employees under the national labor code and eliminating the previous differences in labor benefits between hourly, temporary, and permanent employees. The government continued to prosecute individuals allegedly involved in the 2016 killing of environmental and Indigenous activist Berta Cceres. Credit card skimming is common. Violence was often rooted in a broader context of conflict over land and natural resources, corruption, lack of transparency and community consultation, other criminal activity, and limited state ability to protect the rights of vulnerable communities. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. There were several reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) expressed concern regarding weak implementation of the law, limited resources available to operate the governments protection mechanism, and insufficient training for new personnel after significant personnel turnover during the year. Since 2010, 42. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. A study by the National Violence Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) placed the country as the most violent territory in Central America, with a homicide rate of 38.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. Former First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo was found guilty of fraud and misappropriation of public funds during a retrial on March 17. The law also requires that public-sector workers involved in the refining, transportation, and distribution of petroleum products submit their grievances to the Secretariat of Labor before striking. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Informal Sector: Most workers were in the informal sector. 19 Nov. Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. The U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) keeps Diplomatic Security Service representatives connected with private-sector security professionals from U.S. organizations operating abroad for ongoing threat awareness and crisis support. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as. In a controversial 2015 decision, the Honduran Supreme Court voided Article 239 of the constitution, which had limited presidents to one term. In the 2013 census (most recent data), approximately 8.5 percent of the population identified themselves as members of Indigenous communities, but other estimates were higher. According to government estimates, children with disabilities attended school at a lower rate than the general population. Birth Registration: Children derive citizenship by birth in the country, from the citizenship of their parents, or by naturalization. open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Honduras decided in late 2018, based on reciprocity, to institute the same reporting requirement. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Todd J. Review OSACs reports, The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for, The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. As a result, there is no longer free travel between Honduras and Nicaragua. See the Department of States International Religious Freedom Report at https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/. Authorities continued to search for the individuals who ordered the homicide. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. 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. Gang activity, including attacks on and exploitation of nonmembers, was the primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement. Criminals sometimes obtain personal information through social media, the internet, or a victims family member. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. 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. The law provides citizens the right to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on nearly universal and equal suffrage. 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. OSAC is a free service to U.S.-based or incorporated private sector organizations with overseas operations. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Prisoners can submit complaints through a lawyer that may emerge from an NGO before the Public Ministry. The quasi-governmental National Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment (CONAPREV) received 28 complaints of the use of torture or cruel and inhuman treatment through September. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. 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. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. The government generally respected these provisions. 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). Overseas Security Advisory Council The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. NOTE: OSAC RESOURCE TASK GROUP (RTG . Profile. 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. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Libel/Slander Laws: Citizens, including public officials, may initiate criminal proceedings for libel and slander. The law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. Corruption: On June 10, Marco Bogrn, former director of INVEST-H, the government entity tasked with making COVID-19 pandemic relief contracts with private firms, was found guilty of aggravated fraud and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of 1.475 billion lempiras ($58.7 million). Authorities continued to investigate the incident. 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. 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. Media noted that family members often faced long delays or were unable to visit detainees. NGOs also reported the government did not make sufficient efforts to comply with Inter-American Court of Human Rights rulings, specifically cases related to territorial rights for Garfuna communities. Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their name and legal gender status. The law mandates that authorities release detainees whose cases have not yet come to trial and whose time in pretrial detention already exceeds the maximum prison sentence for their alleged crime. Pretrial Detention: Judicial inefficiency, corruption, and insufficient resources delayed proceedings in the criminal justice system, and lengthy pretrial detention was a serious problem. The trial on murder charges of Josu Exequiel Martnez, Siriaco Meja Santos, Francisco Lpez Lazo, and Mario Anbal Lpez Velsquez began on November 25. 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. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Under the inspection law, the Secretariat of Labor has the authority to temporarily shut down workplaces where there is an imminent danger of fatalities. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. , 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 reported killings took place during law enforcement operations or were linked to criminal activity by government agents. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Security also requires that union leaders be employed under permanent contracts, limiting the ability of seasonal agricultural workers to exercise their right to freedom of association. 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 investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. Impunity for such crimes was high. Persons suspected of any of 21 specific felonies must remain in custody, pending the conclusion of judicial proceedings against them. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was created in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private-sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State.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 . Honduras. The law requires that persons with disabilities have access to buildings, but few buildings were accessible, and the government did not effectively implement laws or programs to provide such access. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500, Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497, Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula, Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600, Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. LGBTQI+ rights groups asserted that government agencies and private employers engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. It stipulates that a prosecutor has 24 additional hours to decide if there is probable cause for indictment, whereupon a judge has 24 more hours to decide whether to issue a temporary detention order. Journalists and other members of civil society reported they were self-censoring due to fear of criticism, harassment, and retribution by the government and its supporters. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Roads have poor lighting and markings. 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. According to CONAPREV, the system was designed for approximately 13,000 inmates. 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Honduras, An official website of the United States Government, https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/, https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings/. The 18th Street and MS-13 (. ) In some industries, including agriculture, domestic service, and security, employers did not respect maternity rights or pay minimum wage, overtime, or vacation. 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. Child Abuse: The law establishes prison sentences of up to two and one-half years for child abuse. 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 country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Civil society continued to raise problems with minimum wage violations, highlighting agricultural companies in the south as frequent violators. The law does not cover domestic workers, the vast majority of whom were women. Even when traffic signals are working, drivers often ignore them. On February 2, the National Congress passed a retroactive amnesty law that absolved public officials who worked during the Zelaya Administration (2006-09) of crimes. Publishing or The government did not effectively enforce these laws and regulations. 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. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. Violence against LGBTQI+ Persons: NGOs reported police or other government agents incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. As of August, inspectors conducted 14,221 total inspections, compared with 8,846 total inspections for the same period in 2021. A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. About. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt. 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. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. 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. Long periods of pretrial detention remained common, with many pretrial detainees held with convicted prisoners. Uniforms and vehicles are all clearly marked. CONADEH reported 31 cases of alleged torture or cruel and inhuman treatment by security forces through August, while the Public Ministry received 10 such reports through July. in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. Both the Secretariat of Labor and the courts may order a company to reinstate workers, but the secretariat lacked the personnel and transportation resources to verify compliance. Participation of Women and Members of Minority Groups: No laws limit the participation of women or members of minority groups in the political process, and they did participate. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. In most prisons, only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. 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. OSAC provides the latest safety- and security-related information, public announcements, travel advisories, terrorist group profiles, country crime and safety reports, and more to its constituency of more than 4,600 U.S. companies and organizations with overseas interests. 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). 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. Recent Elections: In November 2021, Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party won a four-year presidential term in elections that were generally considered free, fair, and transparent. The government investigated and prosecuted some of these crimes, but impunity was widespread. 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. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. 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. 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. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Animals and people wander onto the roads. Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. There were numerous reports of government corruption. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. There was no information available on any major industrial accidents. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. It was unclear how many of these threats were related to the victims professions or activism. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. On September 16, the cabinet approved an executive decree to create a General Directorate of Information and Press under the Ministry of Strategic Planning. The law provides for an independent judiciary, but the justice system was poorly staffed, inadequately equipped, often ineffective, and subject to intimidation, corruption, politicization, and patronage. Litigants may sue a criminal defendant for damages if authorized by a criminal court. On May 26, National Police officers allegedly entered the home of human rights defender Deninson Escalante in El Palenque, Choluteca Department, without a warrant, searched the house, and beat Escalantes parents, brother, and nephew. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. The law prohibits workers from legally striking until direct negotiations and government-accompanied mediation and conciliation have failed. The document was compiled from various In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. Passing on blind corners is common. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. No cases were reported during the year. gangs are the most active and powerful. 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 law provides for the right to a fair and public trial; however, the judiciary did not always enforce these rights. The law requires police to inform persons of the grounds for their arrest and bring detainees before a competent judicial authority within 24 hours. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. 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. osac crime and safety report hondurasmary catherine o'shea daughter of virginia mayo. 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.
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