Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. The Ministry of Securitys Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated members of the Honduran National Police accused of human rights abuses. Through September the secretariat trained 2,626 law enforcement officials in human rights and international humanitarian law. The reported killings took place during law enforcement operations or were linked to criminal activity by government agents. Some would-be muggers and gang members keep to a daily schedule, riding city buses from one stop to the next, committing criminal acts with impunity along the way. The Public Ministry received one report of discrimination based on an individuals disability as of September. 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. Assassinations and violence continue under military supervision. Honduras Profile - InSight Crime Download Historical Data On July 25, media reported individuals shot and killed Liberal Party congressional candidate and former congresswoman Carolina Echeverria Haylock in Tegucigalpa. or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. The law provides that police may make arrests only with a warrant unless they make the arrest during the commission of a crime, there is strong suspicion that a person has committed a crime and might otherwise evade criminal prosecution, or they encounter a person in possession of evidence related to a crime. 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. NGOs reported the government did not effectively combat discrimination and promote equal access to government services or employment opportunities. The law prohibits members of the armed forces and police, as well as certain other public employees, from forming labor unions. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Airlines estimate that approximately 250,000 U.S. citizens flew into Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, or Roatn in 2019. 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. CONAPREV conducted 138 visits to prisons as of September. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. The Embassy cannot secure the release or act as legal representation for any U.S. citizen. Share this via LinkedIn The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. Schools were closed in March 2020 and had not yet returned to full in-person classes by September 2021. Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. Victims were primarily impoverished individuals in both rural and urban areas (see section 7.c.). Vasquez was the leader of the Union of Field Workers, a member of the Lenca community, an environmental activist, and a LIBRE Party candidate for Congress. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. The security situation is expected to continue to deteriorate in 2020 and 2021. honduras crime and safety report 2021 Hakkmzda. Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Coca Growing, Cocaine Production Reach New Heights in Honduras. 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. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Workers had difficulty exercising the rights to form and join unions and to engage in collective bargaining, and the government failed to enforce applicable laws effectively. 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. The lack of space for social distancing combined with the lack of adequate sanitation made prison conditions even more life threatening during the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, the US announced suspension and planned termination of the asylum cooperative agreement signed with Honduras in 2019, whereby Honduras had agreed to receive non-Honduran asylum-seekers transferred from the US. Honduras declares state of emergency against gang crime ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. Share this via Reddit 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. Total "Part 1" crimes violent crimes of homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault; and property crimes of burglary, theft and . Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Section 1. Share this via Facebook Prison conditions were harsh and at times life threatening due to pervasive gang-related violence and the governments failure to control criminal activity within the prisons. Anticorruption efforts remained an area of concern, as did the governments ability to protect justice-sector officials, such as prosecutors and judges. It also provides key data, such as crime counts. Weak state institutions and abuses by security forces have contributed to persistent gang violence. Bureau of Diplomatic Security -threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. 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). 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. The legal age of consent is 18. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). Government Human Rights Bodies: A semiautonomous commissioner for human rights, Blanca Izaguirre, served as an ombudsperson and investigated complaints of human rights abuses. 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. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. The law presumes an accused person is innocent. Advanced Scuba Diver; Ultimate Rescue Diver; Specialties. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: Transiting migrants and asylum seekers with pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations. Fines for child labor were not sufficient to deter violations and not commensurate with penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. 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. 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. 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. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. In February, journalist Henry Fiallos and his family received anonymous death threats after he covered a femicide in which police officers were implicated. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. While there are no areas in major urban cities free of violent crime, notably dangerous locations in Tegucigalpa include the areas surrounding Suyapa Cathedral, downtown Comayagela, downtown Tegucigalpa, and neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city that are generally controlled by gangs. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. . Violence linked to land disputes also occurs, particularly in the Bay Islands and Bajo Aguan Valley in northern Honduras. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. These workers are not covered by the contributory social security system and are not protected by the labor code. S.S.S. The law provides for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. The Secretariat of Human Rights reported three prisoner deaths due to COVID-19 through September. Although its specialists occasionally cannot provide the U.S. standard of care, the hospital and diagnostic departments do have the capability to provide most medical procedures. Administrative penalties were insufficient to deter violations and were rarely enforced. Everything you need to know about human rights in Honduras - Amnesty Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 38 reports of arbitrary arrest through August. Some passengers opt to travel armed when using public transportation, which sometimes results in armed confrontations where innocent bystanders are injured or killed in the crossfire. for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Authorities often did not effectively enforce the law. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. honduras crime and safety report 2021 - bestbuddiesturkey.org Discrimination is also common in schools, the workplace, and in the home. 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. However, kidnapping figures are likely lower than reality, as families of kidnapping victims often pay ransoms without reporting these crimes to police out of fear of retribution. Gang violence is widespread in and around urban areas. 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. Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (. ) Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. (white sedan taxis with a sticker on the windshield denoting its established route), (private white sedan taxis with no established routes), and, (small buses that pick up multiple riders). The law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities. , 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. As of September CONADEH had received 33 complaints. However, many petitions for pandemic release have been rejected. 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. The average age of first contact with gangs is 13 years old, a 2020 UN Development Programme report found. The law prohibits night work and overtime for minors younger than 18, but the STSS may grant special permission for minors between the ages of 16 to 18 to work in the evening if such employment does not adversely affect their education. Review OSACs report, Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. CONADEH reported 69 cases of alleged torture or cruel and inhuman treatment by security forces through August, while the Public Ministry received 18 such reports. Many prisons lacked sufficient security personnel. Is Honduras Safe to Visit in 2022 - What to Expect - On The View The court found that Hernndez suffered harassment by police the night before she was killed, the police and military had effective control of the streets on the night she died, and Honduras conducted no effective investigation into her killing. Crime down in Ojai, but still lock doors | News | ojaivalleynews.com By law women have equal access to educational opportunities. Of those, 37,114 were deported from Mexico and 4,689 from the US. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. Most child labor occurred in rural areas. Periodic medical evaluations had not found Lobo healthy enough to proceed. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. By law the STSS may fine companies that violate the right to freedom of association. The law does not authorize pretrial detention for crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or less. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Police report for Feb. 27, 2023 | Crime | themercury.com Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. Also see the Department of Labors Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings. CONADEH received four reports as of August. 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. 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. The law requires police to inform persons of the grounds for their arrest and bring detainees before a competent judicial authority within 24 hours. Nicaragua used to be part of the CA-4 agreement, but in late 2017 began requiring travelers to register their travel purpose and destination online seven days in advance. The Jewish community numbered approximately 275 members. The World Bank reported in 2018 that the adolescent birth rate was 72 births per 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19. 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. Credit card skimming is common. Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Defendants may not be compelled to testify or confess guilt. See the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and. honduras crime and safety report 2021 - centralbarbearia.com.br In August, he reported having been brutally beaten by police officers while doing his job. The government tasks CONAPREV with visiting prisons and making recommendations for protecting the rights of prisoners. Authorities generally respected these rights. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. honduras crime and safety report 2021mary calderon quintanilla 27 februari, 2023 / i list of funerals at luton crematorium / av / i list of funerals at luton crematorium / av 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. The law regulates child labor, sets the minimum age for employment at age 14, and regulates the hours and types of work that minors younger than 18 may perform. 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. The National Interinstitutional Security Force coordinates the overlapping responsibilities of the national police, military police of public order, National Intelligence Directorate, and Public Ministry during interagency operations. Reproductive Rights: There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Local law allows the police to detain someone for up to 24 hours for administrative processing. BTI 2022 Honduras Country Report In October, Honduras was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2022-2024 term. 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. 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. The Crime Rate In Roatan Honduras - leicestershirevillages.com Contraception supplies continued to be limited. Employers frequently refused to comply with STSS orders that required them to reinstate workers who had been dismissed for participating in union activities. 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 and Social Security (STSS) before striking. On October 7, the National Congress increased penalties for forced labor under the trafficking-in-persons article of the penal code from five to eight years imprisonment to 10 to 15 years, bringing the penalties in line with the penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there were no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem. Journalists; environmental activists; human rights defenders; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and people with disabilities are among the groups targeted for violence. Perdomo allegedly killed Keyla Martinez after she was detained for violating the countrys COVID-19 curfew. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. By law all minors between the ages of 14 and 18 in most industries must receive special permission from the STSS to work, and the STSS must perform a home study to verify that there is an economic need for the child to work and that the child does not work outside the country or in hazardous conditions, including in offshore fishing. 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. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. nonpublic school not seeking state approval louisiana. The governments National Policy to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination seeks to promote equality and combat discrimination related to the countrys seven indigenous and two Afro-descendent groups, with a focus on social and political participation; access to education, health care, justice, and employment opportunities; and rights to ancestral lands and natural resources. 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 Public Ministry is responsible for prosecuting violations. Powerful special interests, including organized criminal groups, exercised influence on the outcomes of some court proceedings. The IACHR received information on frequent threats of lawsuits and prosecutions, including for slander and libel, hindering human rights work in Honduras. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 2021 at Pioneer Park with murder November 2017 shorter! The government cooperated with UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations that provide protection and assistance to refugees and other persons of concern. 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. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. 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. During 2019, multiple vehicles belonging to U.S. and Honduran employees of the U.S. Embassy were burglarized and/or vandalized on side streets around the Embassy compound. Regulations for implementing the law remained under development as of November. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. honduras crime and safety report 2021 - nautilusva.com 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. Anti-corruption prosecutors have been left defenseless. Animals and people wander onto the roads. The Secretariat of Human Rights provided training to security forces to reinforce respect for human rights. 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. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. 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.