NOTE: OSAC RESOURCE TASK GROUP (RTG . Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. 04 Jan. fire department utv grants 1 Comment. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. Voters elected Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party as president for a four-year term beginning in January. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Avoid using Collectivos (white sedan taxis with a sticker on the windshield denoting its established route), Roleteros (private white sedan taxis with no established routes), and Rapiditos (small buses that pick up multiple riders). The Honduran National Police maintain internal security and report to the Secretariat of Security. As of August, CONADEH had received 35 complaints. Most women in the workforce engaged in lower-status and lower-paying informal occupations, such as domestic service, without the benefit of legal protections. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. The Secretariat of Labor has the power to declare a work stoppage illegal and grants employers the ability to discipline employees consistent with their internal regulations, including by firing strikers, if the secretariat rules that a work stoppage is illegal. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State OSAC Standards Bulletin - January 2022 | NIST Is the MS13 in Honduras Expanding its Role in the - InSight Crime Additionally, under the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework, with significant support from UNHCR, the Secretariat of Human Rights and Secretariat of External Relations and International Cooperation continued to build capacity to provide services to vulnerable populations, including IDPs, those at risk of forced displacement, refugees, and returned migrants. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. 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. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System, The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a. Passengers on public buses have been the victims of robbery at roadblocks and bus stops, during daytime and nighttime hours. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt. The government generally respected these provisions. See the Department of States International Religious Freedom Report at https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/. Ethnic minority rights leaders, international NGOs, and farmworker organizations claimed the government failed to redress actions taken by security forces, government agencies, private individuals, and businesses to dislodge Indigenous persons from lands over which they claimed ownership based on land reform law or ancestral land titles. Although the law prohibits such practices, government officials received complaints and investigated alleged abuses by members of the security forces on the streets and in detention centers. 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. For crimes with minimum sentences of six years imprisonment, the law authorizes pretrial detention of up to two years. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees. 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. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. 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. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. World Report 2020: Honduras | Human Rights Watch 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. World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch Major cities (e.g. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2021 Country Report | Freedom House 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. Avoid using. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. At least 86 journalists were killed from 2001 through July 2020, the Honduran College of Journalists reported, and 92 percent of those killings remain unpunished. The web site offers its visitors the latest in safety and security-related information, public announcements, warden messages, travel advisories, significant anniversary dates, terrorist groups profiles, country crime and safety reports, special topic reports, foreign press reports, and much more. As of October, at least 24 defendants used the law to have corruption cases dismissed. The government allocated a budget of 20 million lempiras ($796,000) to operate a protection mechanism for journalists, human rights defenders, and judicial sector operators. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has since added him to the agency's Top 10 Most Wanted List, offering up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest. 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. Displaced Children: Civil society organizations reported that common causes of forced displacement for youth included death threats for failure to pay extortion, attempted recruitment by gangs, witnessing criminal activity by gangs or criminal groups, domestic violence, attempted kidnappings, family members involvement in drug dealing, victimization by traffickers, rape (including commercial sexual exploitation by gangs), discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, sexual harassment, and discrimination for having a chronic medical condition. Brown Follow Us: January 22, 2021 Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. Libel/Slander Laws: Citizens, including public officials, may initiate criminal proceedings for libel and slander. 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. 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 law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. 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. 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. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. The document was compiled from various 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. Persons with HIV and AIDS continued to be targets of discrimination, and they suffered disproportionately from gender-based violence. The police, along with the Ministry of Defenses Military Public Order Police (PMOP), routinely establish checkpoints and review documentation (e.g. The law permits fines, and the penalty is commensurate with those for other laws involving denials of civil rights, such as discrimination. Transgender women were particularly vulnerable to employment and education discrimination; many could find employment only as sex workers, increasing their vulnerability to violence and extortion. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. The law grants prisoners the right to prompt access to a lawyer of their choice and, if indigent, to government-provided counsel, although the public defender mechanism was weak, and authorities did not always abide by these requirements. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. OSAC is a free service to U.S.-based or incorporated private sector organizations with overseas operations. Honduras - Organized Crime News - InSight Crime The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. 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. 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. These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. 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. 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. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights, Section 6. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. 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. 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 murder trial of police officer Jarol Rolando Perdomo Sarmiento concluded on October 17. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. There was limited support for persons with mental illnesses or disabilities. The law allows only local unions to call strikes, prohibits labor federations and confederations from calling strikes, and requires that a two-thirds majority of both union and nonunion employees at an enterprise approve a strike. Roatn and the Bay Islands are geographically separate from the mainland and experience lower crime rates even when compared with other Caribbean islands. 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. Availability of Legal Gender Recognition: Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their name and legal gender status. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. The National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH) reported two arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces as of August. Observers noted several significant improvements in transparency procedures, including electoral reforms, an updated voter registry, new national identification cards, and new technologies that included a biometric verification system and a preliminary results transmission system. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. Also see the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. 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. CONAPREV reported 17 violent deaths in prisons as of September. For more in-depth information, review OSACs. In most prisons, only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. The law permits fines for wage and hour violations; these were commensurate with the penalties for similar crimes, such as fraud. 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 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. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. gangs are the most active and powerful. 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. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. 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 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. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. In addition, women experienced delays in accessing justice due to police who failed to process complaints in a timely manner or judicial system officials who deferred scheduling hearings. 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. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. Your session will expire soon and log you out. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Roads have poor lighting and markings. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Nongovernmental Impact: Some journalists and other members of civil society reported threats from members of criminal groups. On March 1, the National Congress repealed the Law for the Classification of Public Documents Related to National Security and Defense, better known as the Secrets Law. Country-Specific Resources | VIGH Student Portal | Vanderbilt University 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. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings, c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses, Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees, f. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence, a. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. The law does not authorize pretrial detention for crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or less. While the risk from crime in Honduras remains a concern, most U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Honduras are unaffected by violence and visit for tourism or humanitarian aid work without incident. The 18th Street and MS-13 (. ) -threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Some companies also delayed appointing or failed to appoint representatives for required Secretariat of Labor-led mediation, a practice that prolonged the mediation process and impeded the right to strike. Birth Registration: Children derive citizenship by birth in the country, from the citizenship of their parents, or by naturalization. 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/. 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. 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). Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. Prisoners can submit complaints through a lawyer that may emerge from an NGO before the Public Ministry. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, b. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website.
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