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). Animals and people wander onto the roads. 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. Gangs exercise territorial control over some neighborhoods and extort residents throughout the country. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. 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). 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. 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. 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. In these sectors employers frequently paid workers for the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective of any additional hours they worked. 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. Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. 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. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Share this via Reddit The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. Girls and adolescents younger than 19 carry 15 percent of all pregnancies, the Monitoring Mechanism of the Belm do Par Convention reported in 2016. The Cattrachas Lesbian Network reported 17 violent deaths of LGBTQI+ persons as of August. Why Money Launderers in Honduras May Be Getting Away With It ELITES AND CRIME / 1 NOV 2022 Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. As of August it continued to provide protection to 12 journalists, among other types of activists and human rights defenders. He estimated the companies and drivers have paid an average of about $10 million per month to the gangs in order to operate. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). Sexual Harassment: The law criminalizes sexual harassment, including in employment. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. As of June the Violence Observatory reported killings of 80 persons younger than 18. 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. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. Indigenous groups included the Miskito, Tawahka, Pech, Tolupan, Lenca, Maya-Chorti, and Nahua. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. Physical Conditions: Prisoners suffered from severe overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of adequate sanitation and medical care, and, in some prisons, lack of adequate ventilation and lighting. On July 5, the National Tribunal Court found Roberto David Castillo Mejia guilty for his role as one of the alleged intellectual authors of her murder. . In September, the OAS and Honduras signed an agreement to allow an OAS electoral observation mission to the November elections to elect president, legislators, and local authorities. See the Department of States Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Share this via Printer. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. Posted at 09:48h in michael deluise matt leblanc by Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. Impunity remains the norm. Censorship or Content Restrictions: Media members and NGOs stated the press self-censored due to fear of retaliation from organized criminal groups or corrupt government officials. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tegucigalpa as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. U.S. Department of State. Contraception supplies continued to be limited. Drug trafficking and gang activity, which includes local micro-trafficking of narcotics and extortion, are the main causes of violent crime in Honduras. Vote View Results . 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. 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. In January, Congress voted to increase the majority needed to amend Hondurass constitutional ban on same sex marriage from two-thirds to three-quarters, thereby further entrenching the prohibition. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. 03 / Select Countries You can add more than one country or area. A federal grand jury on Friday indicted the man accused of shooting two Jewish men in February with hate crime and firearm offenses, the US Attorney's Office for the Central Regulations for implementing the law remained under development as of November. It prohibits employer retribution against employees for engaging in trade union activities. 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. U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State 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 farmers and indigenous persons from lands over which they claimed ownership based on land reform law or ancestral land titles. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Hondurans continue to be affected by MS-13 and Calle 18 gang activity in cities such as Tegucigalpa, Choloma, La Ceiba, Tela, and San Pedro Sula. In August, he reported having been brutally beaten by police officers while doing his job. 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. Employers frequently refused to comply with STSS orders that required them to reinstate workers who had been dismissed for participating in union activities. This definition included workers who did not contribute to any form of social security protection, and thus it may have undercounted underemployed workers who rely on jobs in both the formal and informal sectors. ELITES AND CRIME / 1 NOV 2022 Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. Abuse of Migrants and Refugees: Transiting migrants and asylum seekers with pending cases were vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation by criminal organizations. Counterfeit medicines are available inpulperas (private home-operated convenience stores), but have also been reported inFarmacias del Ahorro. 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. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. The security situation is expected to continue to deteriorate in 2020 and 2021. The document was compiled from various Would you like to continue with this session or log out? Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. The law requires overtime pay, bans excessive compulsory overtime, limits overtime to four hours a day for a maximum workday of 12 hours, and prohibits the practice of requiring workers to complete work quotas before leaving their place of employment. Informal Sector: According to the STSS, approximately 75 percent of workers worked in the informal economy, equivalent to approximately 2.7 million persons. In September police arrested Denis Abel Ordonez, Michael Andre Mejia, and Walter Antonio Matute Raudales in connection with her murder. Before you travel, consider the following resources: The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, Share this via Email On March 28, transgender activist Vanessa Zuniga was killed in Tela, Atlantida Department. honduras crime and safety report 2022. how to wear a sheath dress to a wedding; apple music not working on android; honduras crime and safety report 2022. figure 8 racing near me 2022; what does the god particle look like; The Military Police of Public Order report to military authorities but conduct operations sanctioned by civilian security officials as well as by military leaders. Child Abuse: Child abuse remained a serious problem. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. 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. 2018 toyota rav4 pros and cons. honduras crime and safety report 2021. roche graduate . Avoid traveling at night and always drive with doors locked and windows rolled up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets. 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. 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. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Infiltrators: corruption in El Salvador has made safety strides and is not as dangerous as it used be! The law allows persons charged with some felonies to avail themselves of bail and gives prisoners the right of prompt access to family members. 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. In addition the center estimated approximately 937,000 individuals were forcibly displaced by natural disasters during 2020. Despite incremental progress, government capacities remained relatively nascent and limited. 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. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. The law requires prisoners to work at least five hours a day, six days a week. Health-care workers protested the lack of adequate protective equipment and delayed salary payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Review the State Departments webpage on. A 59-year-old man was listed as the victim when it was . In 2019, seven others were convicted for carrying out the killing. Honduras has failed to uphold the Garifunas right to collective tenure over their lands and to promptly and adequately investigate threats and acts of harassment against community leaders, the IACHR stated in 2020. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. In June 2020, Congress passed a new penal code that introduced the crime of internal displacement, punishing, with prison sentences of six to nine years, those who, through violence or intimidation, force someone to abandon or change their place of living. 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. Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: The minimum legal age of marriage for both boys and girls is 18. These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. Forced labor occurred in street vending, domestic service, the transport of drugs and other illicit goods, other criminal activity, and the informal sector. 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. Persons from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. Corruption along with a lack of investigative resources and judicial delays led to widespread impunity, including in security forces. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). A 22-year-old woman was listed as the victim when it was reported her Tao Blade . Emergency services, even in Tegucigalpa, generally are basic. Review OSACs reports, The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for, The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. According to UNICEF, 34 percent of women and 12 percent of men ages 20 to 24 married before age 18. Historically, corruption has been pervasive in government procurement, issuance of government permits, customs, real estate transactions (particularly land title transfers), performance requirements, and the regulatory system. Credit card skimming is common. Gangs kill, disappear, rape, or displace those who resist. Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes all forms of rape of women or men, including spousal rape. 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. NGOs reported the government did not effectively combat discrimination and promote equal access to government services or employment opportunities. honduras crime and safety report 2021. The law requires police to inform persons of the grounds for their arrest and bring detainees before a competent judicial authority within 24 hours. There were reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. Gangs, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street Gang (Barrio 18), are considered largely responsible for Honduras murder rate, and are infamous for extortion and drug peddling. The Secretariat of Human Rights stated it was taking every precaution to protect prisoners rights and assure that the work provided opportunities for prisoners to develop skills they could use in legal economic activities after their release. INCIDENTS. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). Port agencies have worked to improve taxi service to/from ports. 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. In a 2020 survey by UNHCR and UNICEF, half of Hondurans interviewed in Mexico named violence as the main reason for their leaving. 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. Share this via WhatsApp There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. There are few U.S.-educated physicians in Tegucigalpa. Children often worked alongside family members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction, transportation, and small businesses. The government prosecuted some officials who committed abuses, including government corruption, but a weak judicial system and corruption were major obstacles to obtaining convictions. EFR CPR/AED; For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. Although 74 percent of births were attended by skilled health care personnel, NGOs reported significant gaps in obstetric care, especially in rural areas. Officers filed a report for theft and criminal damage to property at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Denison Avenue in Manhattan. Discrimination and Societal Abuses, Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination, Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, a. honduras crime and safety report 2021 Hakkmzda. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. Bogran was arrested in October 2020 on two corruption charges for embezzling an estimated 1.14 billion lempiras ($47 million) in public funds and funneling a contract for mobile hospitals to his uncle, Napoleon Corrales. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Many employers discriminated against women. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. By MARLON GONZLEZ November 25, 2022. These efforts were insufficient due to limited political will, inadequate staffing, limited or no services in rural areas, absence of or inadequate training and awareness of domestic violence among police and other authorities, and a pattern of male-dominant culture and norms. From 2015 through 2019, authorities arrested 4,196 gang members, the National Police reported. Occupational Safety and Health: The government did not effectively enforce occupational safety and health standards, particularly in the construction, garment assembly, and agricultural sectors, as well as in the informal economy. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Administration: The judicial system is legally responsible for monitoring prison conditions and providing for the rights of prisoners. The law prohibits the use of children younger than 18 for exhibitions or performances of a sexual nature or in the production of pornography. 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. 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. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. Inconsistent, retroactive implementation of provisions of the revised code led to logjams in the legal system and impunity for some of the accused. 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. The National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH) reported 15 arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces as of August. The Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. 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.