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. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Violators face penalties of one to three years in prison and possible suspension of their professional licenses, but the government did not effectively enforce the law. The government launched a new Ministry of Transparency in November 2020 to address some of these concerns. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. 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 Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. HOUSTON Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston, with assistance from ERO Tegucigalpa and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, removed Rufino Garza Monroy, a twice-deported foreign fugitive from the United States on Feb. 24. 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. If the STSS grants permission, children between 14 and 16 may work a maximum of four hours a day, and those between 16 and 18 may work up to six hours a day. 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. For information or questions concerning a country's animal disease status and restrictions please contact the APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy, Animal Product Import and Export at: USDA-APHIS. Indigenous communities continued to report threats and acts of violence against them and against community and environmental activists. According to government estimates, children with disabilities attended school at a lower rate than the general population. The Honduran National Polices Special Victims Investigations Unit, formerly known as the Violent Crimes Task Force, investigated crimes against high-profile and particularly vulnerable victims, including journalists as well as judges, lawyers, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. There was limited support for persons with mental illnesses or disabilities. 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. Red Cross ambulance: 911, (504) 2227-7474 or (504) 2227-7575. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. The law prohibits employers from requiring pregnancy tests as a prerequisite for employment; penalties were not sufficient to deter violations. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. 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. There have been multiple incidents of gang members destroying city buses and taxis, and reports that gang members rob, assault, rape, kidnap, or murder passengers. On March 3, unknown assailants killed Martin Pandy, president of the Garifuna community of Corozal, and another community member. The law provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, with some restrictions, and the government generally respected this right. As of September the Secretariat of Human Rights reported the countrys pretrial detention center held 33 individuals. International Child Abductions: The country is a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? There were reports of violence related to land conflicts and criminal activity. Extortion threats commonly originate through social engineering. Prosecutors and whistleblowers have received death threats. Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy, Animal Product Import and Export (APIE) 4700 River Road, Unit 40. Established in 2016 by the government and the OAS, MACCIH contributed to the prosecution of 133 people, including congresspeople and senior officials, 14 of whom stood trial. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State Judges face interferenceincluding political pressure, threats, and harassmentfrom the executive branch, private actors with connections to government, and gangs. The STSS is responsible for enforcing the national minimum wage, hours of work, and occupational health and safety law, but it did so inconsistently and ineffectively. The Jewish community numbered approximately 275 members. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). . Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. 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. Persons from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. The government ended the curfew on October 1. 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. Administrative penalties were insufficient to deter violations and were rarely enforced. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 38 reports of arbitrary arrest through August. The government did not effectively enforce these laws and regulations, although penalties were commensurate with laws related to civil rights, such as election interference. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. Children often worked alongside family members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction, transportation, and small businesses. The ambulance does not have paramedics or emergency medical equipment; it functions solely as transport to hospitals. According to UNICEF, 34 percent of women and 12 percent of men ages 20 to 24 married before age 18. 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. A 22-year-old woman was listed as the victim when it was reported her Tao Blade . In August, he reported having been brutally beaten by police officers while doing his job. honduras crime and safety report 2021. roche graduate . 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. 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. Honduras Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 (September 2022) Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. According to the Inter-American Press Association, 29 journalists were beneficiaries of official protective measures. PDF U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State Health-care workers protested the lack of adequate protective equipment and delayed salary payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. More than half of the men and two-thirds of the women were in pretrial detention, according to official statistics. honduras crime and safety report 2021 - kbspas.com The Public Ministry is responsible for prosecuting violations. January 26, 2022 At a glance Population: 10.1 million 2.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid The Public Ministry received one report of discrimination based on an individuals disability as of September. Share this via Email Some employers either refused to engage in collective bargaining or made it very difficult to do so. Federal grand jury indicts man on hate crime charges after he allegedly The Public Ministry reported seven cases of alleged illegal detention or arbitrary arrest as of September. A 2019 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights report noted there were insufficient hospital beds and inadequate supplies at the only hospital that serviced Gracias a Dios Department, home to most of the Miskito community. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. According to the secretariat, the system was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates. In 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota forced more than 55,000 to move into temporary shelters, according to the Red Cross. Survivors of domestic violence are entitled to certain protective measures, such as removing the abuser from the home and prohibiting the abuser from visiting the victims work or other frequently visited places. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. International organizations, the United States, and the United Kingdom have expressed their support for Santos work. Linn County deputies seize more than 500 marijuana plants from Halsey Wage and Hour Laws: There are 45 categories of monthly minimum wage, based on the industry and the size of a companys workforce; the minimum average was above the poverty line. Major urban centers and drug trafficking routes experienced the highest rates of violence. Crime down in Ojai, but still lock doors | News | ojaivalleynews.com You are here: crime rate portland vs phoenix / enfin libre saad avis / honduras crime and safety report 2021 January 19, 2023 / in usapho qualifiers 2021 / by HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. In 2019, seven others were convicted for carrying out the killing. The law prohibits illicit association, defined as gatherings by persons bearing arms, explosive devices, or dangerous objects with the purpose of committing a crime, and prescribes prison terms of two to four years and a moderate fine for anyone who convokes or directs an illicit meeting or demonstration. Penalties include prison sentences of up to two years and monetary fines. After 37 detainees were killed in a 2019 wave of gang violence, President Juan Orlando Hernndez declared a state of emergencyextended to December 2021and put prisons under military control. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance forHonduras. There are claims of widespread corruption in land sales, deed filing, and dispute resolution, including claims against attorneys, real estate companies, judges, and local officials. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated abuses by the military. Fines for child labor were not sufficient to deter violations and not commensurate with penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. Victims were primarily impoverished individuals in both rural and urban areas (see section 7.c.). 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. Lanza said that 50 drivers have been killed so far in 2022, and a total of 2,500 have been killed over the last 15 years. Through September the secretariat trained 2,626 law enforcement officials in human rights and international humanitarian law. Most women in the workforce engaged in lower-status and lower-paying informal occupations, such as domestic service, without the benefit of legal protections. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. From January to June, the OV-UNAH documented eight violent deaths in prisons. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. The reported killings took place during law enforcement operations or were linked to criminal activity by government agents. NGOs reported the government did not effectively combat discrimination and promote equal access to government services or employment opportunities. These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. 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. Through August CONADEH received six reports of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted for violence. In 2018, the government created a special force to fight gangs (Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y Pandillas), with members from the police, military, and Attorney Generals Office. Some larger cities have police forces that operate independently of the national police and report to municipal authorities. Persons with disabilities, indigenous and Afro-descendant persons, LGBTQI+ persons, and persons with HIV or AIDS also faced discrimination in employment and occupation (see section 6). On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. The Secretariat of Human Rights reported that as of September 7, the total prison population was 20,768 in 25 prisons and one detention center. Children often worked on melon, coffee, okra, and sugarcane plantations as well as in other agricultural production; scavenged at garbage dumps; worked in the forestry and fishing sectors; worked as domestic servants; peddled goods such as fruit; begged; washed cars; hauled goods; and labored in limestone quarrying and lime production. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations. 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. Weak state institutions and abuses by security forces have contributed to persistent gang violence. Overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, beatings, intra-gang violence, and killings are endemic in prisons. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and. The Military Police of Public Order report to military authorities but conduct operations sanctioned by civilian security officials as well as by military leaders. They called for implementation of protective measures. 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. With offices throughout the country, the ombudsperson received cases that otherwise might not have risen to national attention. The accused were in pretrial detention awaiting the next phase of the judicial process. Defendants may receive free assistance from an interpreter. 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. 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. Nonetheless, many prisoners remained in custody after completing their full sentences, and sometimes even after an acquittal, because officials failed to process their releases expeditiously. Mental health professionals expressed concern regarding social stigma by families and communities against persons with mental disabilities and a lack of access to mental health care throughout the country. On March 28, transgender activist Vanessa Zuniga was killed in Tela, Atlantida Department. The Supreme Court, particularly its president, exerts excessive control over the appointment and removal of judges, and career instability limits judges independence. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Counterfeit medicines are available inpulperas (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported inFarmacias del Ahorro. Emergency services, even in Tegucigalpa, generally are basic. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. 2018 toyota rav4 pros and cons. Review OSACs reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Historically, governments have responded to organized crime with iron-fist security strategies. The law does not authorize pretrial detention for crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or less. In most prisons only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. A bill was introduced in 2019 to prevent, assist, and protect people internally displaced by violence. ELITES AND CRIME / 1 NOV 2022 Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. Review the State Departments webpage on security for. On October 7, in a special session held during the Francisco Morazan national holiday, the National Congress passed a change to the penal code expanding the definition of encroachment (trespassing) by designating streets and parks as protected spaces and redefining groups of protesters to include as few as two persons. 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. 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 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. Authorities continued to investigate the incident. The court ordered Honduras to train security forces to investigate anti-LGBT violence and to adopt a process allowing people to change the gender listed on their documents to match their identity. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. Voters elected Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party as president for a four-year term scheduled to begin in January 2022. International observers generally recognized the elections as free and fair. 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. In some industries, including agriculture, domestic service, and security, employers did not respect maternity rights or pay minimum wage, overtime, or vacation. 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. The Ministry of Securitys Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated members of the Honduran National Police accused of human rights abuses. Organized 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. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. In July, the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) and the IACHR urged the government to refrain from charging Garifuna women with damage, threats, theft, and usurpation of lands. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. This is a common practice for most automobile accidents where personal injury occurs, and for cases in which someone is accused of a criminal act. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, b. 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. Officers filed a report for theft at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of Kearney Street in Manhattan. The STSS did not approve any authorizations through September. 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 Public Ministry reported two such cases in judicial processing and five other cases under investigation as of September. In May and June of 2022, CLDP will host two workshops in Honduras on customs valuation and communication. In July, the US released the Engel List, listing individuals from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala allegedly associated with corruption and undemocratic acts. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. Share this via WhatsApp By law workers may remove themselves from situations that endanger their health or safety without jeopardizing continued employment. 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. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. There was no information available on any major industrial accidents. Libel/Slander Laws: Citizens, including public officials, may initiate criminal proceedings for libel and slander. 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. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. 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. UNHCR Factsheet March 2022 - Honduras | ReliefWeb The law was not effectively enforced, and weak public institutional structures contributed to the inadequate enforcement. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. Employers frequently penalized agricultural workers for taking legally authorized days off. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. The law prohibits all forms of forced labor, but the government did not effectively implement or enforce the law. Honduras Crime. Safety and crime information on Honduras Civil society continued to criticize the law for classification of documents related to security and national defense, saying it limited transparency and allowed officials to use the classification of documents to obscure wrongdoing. Nevertheless, social discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons persisted, as did physical violence. Coca farms and cocaine production camps are proliferating in Honduras, showing that the illicit crop has taken root in the country after years of low-level experimentation. CONADEH received complaints involving human rights abuses and referred them to the Public Ministry for investigation. In January the government funded the opening of a UN Office of Drugs and Crime office to begin a government transparency project and support the drafting of the countrys first national anticorruption strategy. World Bank statistics from 2020 put net enrollment for primary school above 90 percent, but the National Center for Social Sector Information stated that 43 percent of persons with disabilities received no formal education. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings, c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees, f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence, a.
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