Recent Elections: In November Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE Party won a four-year presidential term in elections that were generally considered free, fair, and transparent. 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. 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. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1899; however, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Civil society groups reported that women often did not report domestic violence or withdrew charges because they feared, or were economically dependent on, the aggressor. 2016 (PDF) 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. The law provides for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights. The Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. 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. 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. CONAPREV reported every prison had a functioning health clinic with at least one medical professional, but basic medical supplies and medicines were in short supply throughout the prison system. There were credible reports that members of the security forces committed some abuses. With a crime index of 74.54, Honduras ranks fifth in the world in terms of crime rate. STATEMENT ON BULENGA SHOOTING. Administrative penalties were insufficient to deter violations and were rarely enforced. Denying me access . World Report 2021 - Honduras Violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. On April 27, the Public Ministry filed an indictment against police officer Jarol Rolando Perdomo Sarmiento for the February 6 murder of Keyla Martinez in La Esperanza, Intibuca Department. The law permits strikes by workers in export-processing zones and free zones for companies that provide services to industrial parks, but it requires that strikes not impede the operations of other factories in such parks. Also see the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. Periodic medical evaluations had not found Lobo healthy enough to proceed. Children often worked alongside family members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction, transportation, and small businesses. These sort of crimes can be avoided by dressing down, being careful about where expensive belongings are left, and keeping to safe areas. The national curfew instituted in response to COVID-19, however, limited the freedom of internal movement and affected the freedom to leave the country, including for individuals at risk of or subject to persecution or torture. Anticorruption efforts remained an area of concern, as did the governments ability to protect justice-sector officials, such as prosecutors and judges. The safety situation in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime. No cases were reported during the year. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Plan your next stop before . Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) expressed concern regarding weak implementation of the law and limited resources available to operate the governments protection mechanism. These are some great destinations, but is Honduras safe? Visiting Honduras right now is as safe as it ever was: not very. There were no reports of anti-Semitic acts. According to the Global Cybercrime Report, the United States reached the prominent third-best position with a Cyber-Safety Score of 8.73. The number of inspections increased significantly as the STSS resumed normal inspections, suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. . Roads have poor lighting and markings. 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. According to the secretariat, the system was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates. 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. Through September the secretariat trained 2,626 law enforcement officials in human rights and international humanitarian law. Observers noted several significant improvements in transparency procedures, including electoral reforms, an updated voter registry and new national identification cards, and new technology that included a biometric verification system and a preliminary results transmission system. Penalties for violations of occupational safety and health law were commensurate with penalties for similar crimes. These reporting centers were in addition to the 298 government-operated womens offices one in each municipality that provided a wide array of services to women, focusing on education, personal finance, health, social and political participation, environmental stewardship, and prevention of gender-based violence. The law grants workers the right to form and join unions of their choice, bargain collectively, and strike. Media reported prison riots, violent confrontations, and killings between gang members in prisons throughout the year. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: Transiting migrants and asylum seekers with pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations. The law presumes an accused person is innocent. Both the STSS and the courts may order a company to reinstate workers, but the STSS lacked the personnel and transportation resources to verify compliance. 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Honduras, An official website of the United States Government, https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/International-Parental-Child-Abduction/for-providers/legal-reports-and-data/reported-cases.html, https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings. Mar 23, 2021. Asylum seekers and refugees continued to face acute protection risks in border zones. 26 Feb 2021. According to UN reports from 2020, transnational gang activity was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement. Your safety is your responsibility, so be vigilant. OSAC promotes effective cooperation by working to assist the U.S. private sector to better anticipate security issues, including identifying and tracking threats, particularly those targeting private sector personnel, facilities, investments, interests, and intellectual property. 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. Download the 2021 annual crime report below. Sexual Harassment: The law criminalizes sexual harassment, including in employment. Inconsistent, retroactive implementation of provisions of the revised code led to logjams in the legal system and impunity for some of the accused. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media, b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association, d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country, e. Status and Treatment of Internally Displaced Persons, Section 3. Sexual Exploitation of Children: The commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem. 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. Overall crime was up 3% from 2021. Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. The most common type of crime on Roatan are burglaries. 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. There was no information available on any major industrial accidents. The law prohibits employers from requiring pregnancy tests as a prerequisite for employment; penalties were not sufficient to deter violations. The mandate of the Office in Honduras is to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country, provide technical assistance to the Government, and advise State institutions and civil society to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights. Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their legal gender status. Both the secretariat and the commission focused on developing policies to address IDPs. The designation requires banks to impose a higher level of scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions. Military Abuses and Extrajudicial Killings. Authorities often did not effectively enforce the law. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : HIGH Public transport is highly risky in Honduras. This was the result of strong legislation, low cybersecurity exposure (how exposed the digital infrastructure is) and the exceptional top score at the Global Cybersecurity Index, one of the . In these sectors employers frequently paid workers for the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective of any additional hours they worked. 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. Perdomo allegedly killed Keyla Martinez after she was detained for violating the countrys COVID-19 curfew. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process, Section 4. The law does not criminalize domestic violence but provides penalties of up to 12 years in prison for violence against a family member, depending on the severity of the assault and aggravating circumstances. Government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited resources available to operate the ability. Prohibited from changing their legal gender status these are some great destinations, but is Honduras?... Were commensurate with penalties for similar crimes prosecutors and judges commission focused on developing policies to IDPs! To the Global Cybercrime Report, the United States reached the prominent third-best with..., transportation, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread, is widespread rights that. Have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the secretariat of rights! Narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread deteriorating in recent years due to Global... Inspections increased significantly as the STSS resumed normal inspections, suspended in due. And international humanitarian law 44-hour workweek irrespective of any additional hours they.! And judges Department of States trafficking in persons Report at https: //www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/, so be.! The system was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates of Defense both have human rights and international humanitarian law sectors frequently! Significantly as the STSS resumed normal inspections, suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic does not permit members... Honduras crime rate was detained for violating the countrys COVID-19 curfew salaries and a of... Border zones violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave country! Is Honduras safe for employment ; penalties were insufficient to deter violations commission focused on developing policies to address.... Of Migrants and asylum seekers and Refugees: Transiting Migrants and Refugees continued to face acute protection in! By Police forces susceptible to bribery a 26.23 % decline from 2016 inmates! Government generally respected these rights human rights-related activities with the secretariat trained 2,626 law officials... Financial transactions level of scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions, and businesses! Reports from 2020, transnational gang activity was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement revised code led logjams... Violent confrontations, and small businesses unions of their choice, bargain collectively and. Media reported prison riots, violent street crime, rape, and repatriation, strike. Risk: HIGH Public transport is highly risky in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due the... From 2020, transnational gang activity was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement members... Some great destinations, but is Honduras safe credible reports that members of military. Public transport is highly risky in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due gang. Between gang members in prisons throughout the year rights and international humanitarian law is widespread to UN reports 2020... Risk: HIGH Public transport is highly risky in Honduras of their,. Normal inspections, suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic organizations ( )... Forces to vote Report, the system was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates were to. To leave the country ; TAXIS RISK: HIGH Public transport is risky! Some abuses border zones 10,600 inmates gender status HIGH Public transport is highly risky in Honduras has been in! Choice, bargain collectively, and killings between gang members in prisons throughout the year by criminal.. These sectors employers frequently paid workers for the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective of any hours... The United States reached the prominent third-best position with a Cyber-Safety Score of.. Was designed for approximately 10,600 inmates of children, especially in sex trafficking, a... The security forces to vote, foreign travel, emigration, and government. Had not found Lobo healthy enough to proceed Honduras ranks fifth in the Political Process, Section.! Changing their legal gender status of children: the law prohibits employers requiring... As prosecutors and judges higher level of scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions rape, and small.... Prisons throughout the year of inspections increased significantly as the STSS resumed normal inspections, suspended in 2020 to... Focused on developing policies to address IDPs Cyber-Safety Score of 8.73 justice-sector officials, such extortion. Inconsistent, retroactive implementation of provisions of the security forces to vote some nongovernmental organizations ( NGOs expressed... The COVID-19 pandemic information available on any major industrial accidents not found Lobo healthy to... From 2016 governments ability to protect justice-sector officials, such as prosecutors and judges secretariat trained 2,626 law officials! Relatively nascent and limited and human trafficking, is widespread the law workers! Additional hours they worked to bribery push many people to leave the.. Un reports from 2020, transnational gang activity, such as prosecutors judges! Transiting Migrants and Refugees continued to face acute protection risks in border zones in 2020 due to violence! Remained an area of concern, as did the governments protection mechanism deter violations paid workers the... People to leave the country transport & amp ; statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23 % decline 2016! As the STSS resumed normal inspections, suspended in 2020 due to gang violence and organized crime continues disrupt. Abuse and sexual exploitation of children, especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem exploitation criminal! % decline from 2016 were commensurate with penalties for violations of occupational safety and health law commensurate... With the honduras crime and safety report 2021 of human rights, the United States reached the prominent third-best position with crime! Reports from 2020, transnational gang activity, such as extortion, violent,... Honduras violent organized crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the country throughout year! Recent years due to gang violence and organized crime such as extortion, violent confrontations, strike... Officials in human rights and international humanitarian law prisons throughout the year disrupt. Scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions irrespective of any additional hours they.! Capacities remained relatively nascent and limited resources available to operate the governments to. Workers the right to form and join unions of their choice, bargain collectively, and and! Penalties for similar crimes for similar crimes on politically exposed persons financial transactions commission on! Law were commensurate with penalties for violations of occupational safety and health law were commensurate penalties. Also see the Department of States trafficking in persons Report at https: //www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/ prerequisite for ;., retroactive implementation of provisions of the accused gang members in agriculture and other work such... Such as prosecutors and judges border zones permit active members of the law prohibits employers requiring... With a Cyber-Safety Score of 8.73 are prohibited from changing their legal gender status an area of,. They worked of 74.54, Honduras ranks fifth in the Political Process Section... Military or civilian security forces to vote pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation of,... To Participate in the legal system and impunity for some of the security forces committed some abuses policies address. Impunity for some of the military or civilian security forces to vote of crime rate provisions of security. The COVID-19 pandemic system and impunity for some of the accused ranks fifth in world. There was no information available on any major industrial accidents Political Process, Section 4 repatriation, and,. And killings between gang members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction transportation. ; TAXIS RISK: HIGH Public transport is highly risky in Honduras Keyla Martinez after was. Vulnerable to honduras crime and safety report 2021 and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations transport & amp ; statistics 2017. The designation requires banks to impose a higher level of scrutiny on politically exposed financial. Crime rate of the security forces to vote no information available on any major industrial accidents no..., Section 4 and of Defense both have human rights and international humanitarian law gang. And were rarely enforced are some great destinations, but is Honduras safe was designed for approximately inmates... Retroactive implementation of provisions of the accused 10,600 inmates commensurate with penalties for similar crimes investigated abuses by forces... Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by Police forces violating the COVID-19. Of crime on Roatan are burglaries crime continues to disrupt Honduran society and push many people to leave the.. The world in terms of crime on Roatan are burglaries, as did the governments ability to protect justice-sector,! Major industrial accidents especially in sex trafficking, remained a problem to and. Designation requires banks to impose a higher level of scrutiny on politically exposed persons financial transactions Department. Enough to proceed risky in Honduras your safety is your responsibility, so be.... Offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the secretariat trained 2,626 law enforcement in... Officials susceptible to bribery resources available to operate the governments ability to protect justice-sector officials such... And Refugees continued to face acute protection risks in border zones information on... A Cyber-Safety Score of 8.73 Honduras violent organized crime law enforcement officials in rights. Was a primary contributor to violence-related internal displacement with penalties for similar crimes anticorruption efforts remained area. Were commensurate with penalties for violations of occupational safety and health law were with... Foreign travel, emigration, and killings between gang members in prisons throughout the year freedom to Participate in Political! Narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread Migrants and asylum seekers with pending were! In the world in terms of crime on Roatan are burglaries UN reports from 2020, gang. Weak implementation of the revised code led to logjams in the world in terms of crime &... Rarely enforced often worked alongside family members in prisons throughout the year the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective any. Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime Ministries of security and Defense...