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. 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. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. Authorities did not generally segregate those with tuberculosis or other infectious diseases from the general prison population; as of September the National Prison Institute reported 106 prisoners had been treated for tuberculosis. WebHonduras Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Persons from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities continued to experience discrimination in employment, education, housing, and health services. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. The U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to the Gracias a Dios Department in eastern Honduras because of credible threat information against U.S citizens. 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. 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. Major cities (e.g. In these sectors employers frequently paid workers for the standard 44-hour workweek irrespective of any additional hours they worked. Review the State Departments webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. 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. The Directorate of Disciplinary Police Affairs investigated abuses by police forces. The law criminalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity characteristics and includes crimes committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity as aggravating circumstances to increase penalties for criminal offenses. The Secretariat of Human Rights reported three prisoner deaths due to COVID-19 through September. 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. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. 23 March 2021; Impacts of Disruptions to Livestock Marketing in Sudan; Sudan: Country Report the Situa On in Darfur; SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International; Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. The law does not permit active members of the military or civilian security forces to vote. Penalties for facilitating child sex trafficking are six to 12 years in prison and monetary fines. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Through August CONADEH received six reports of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. For more in-depth information, review OSACs Slovakia country These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. The law mandates that authorities release detainees whose cases have not yet come to trial and whose time in pretrial detention already exceeds the maximum prison sentence for their alleged crime. 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. Some of the worst forms of child labor occurred, including commercial sexual exploitation of children, and NGOs reported that gangs often forced children to commit crimes (see section 6, Children). Fines for child labor were not sufficient to deter violations and not commensurate with penalties for other analogous serious crimes, such as kidnapping. The government had a nascent system to provide legal protection to refugees. 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. Please send any general inquiries or questions to comments@nist.gov. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. WebOSAC is a free service to U.S.-based or incorporated private sector organizations with overseas operations. WebOver 10 years we helping companies reach their financial and branding goals. Review OSACs report, 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. 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. Two U.S. citizens reported incidents of rape or sexual assault between January and September 2013. 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. The government took some steps to address corruption at high levels in government agencies, including arresting and charging senior officials on COVID-related procurement corruption. According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. 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. Low salaries and a lack of internal controls rendered judicial officials susceptible to bribery. Vanessa worked as a volunteer in the Association for Prevention and Education in Health, Sexuality, AIDS, and Human Rights. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their legal gender status. Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. The Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and the Humanitarian Law Directorate investigated and arrested members of the military accused of human rights abuses. 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 media, including threats to media members by criminal elements and the existence of criminal libel laws; serious government corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence; and crimes involving violence or threats of violence against indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, and against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons. Authorities generally respected these rights. Government Human Rights Bodies: A semiautonomous commissioner for human rights, Blanca Izaguirre, served as an ombudsperson and investigated complaints of human rights abuses. Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500, Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497, Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula, Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600, Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. 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. Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. In addition the law prohibits strikes in a wide range of economic activities that the government has designated as essential services or that it considers would affect the rights of individuals in the larger community to security, health, education, and economic and social well-being. 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. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. 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. Administrative penalties were insufficient to deter violations and were rarely enforced. 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. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. Employers frequently refused to comply with STSS orders that required them to reinstate workers who had been dismissed for participating in union activities. 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. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. 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. Anticorruption efforts remained an area of concern, as did the governments ability to protect justice-sector officials, such as prosecutors and judges. 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. Impunity for such crimes remained high, as was the impunity rate for all types of crime. CONADEH received complaints involving human rights abuses and referred them to the Public Ministry for investigation. 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 credible reports of political prisoners or detainees. In the 2013 census, approximately 8.5 percent of the population identified themselves as members of indigenous communities, but other estimates were higher. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. 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. Many prisons lacked sufficient security personnel. Webkatherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address 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. 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. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Civil society organizations criticized the governments failure to investigate threats adequately. -threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The law requires individuals and companies that employ more than 20 school-age children at their facilities to provide a location for a school. The STSS may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. 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. El Salvador 2020 Crime & Safety Report Author (s) U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Date Published 2020 Length 8 pages Publication The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. The government did not effectively enforce the law. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. The law criminalizes discrimination based on race and ethnicity and includes crimes committed against individuals because of race or ethnicity as aggravating circumstances to increase penalties for criminal offenses. NGOs reported IDPs were at increased risk of victimization and exploitation by criminal groups, which was also often the cause of displacement. 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. Webhonduras crime and safety report 2021 przez syracuse university south campus mailing address syracuse university south campus mailing address Nearly 3.3 million people, or one in three Hondurans, were experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by late 2021. 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. Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 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. The most recent national and local elections were held in November. or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. 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. 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. Institutions such as the National Womens Institute attempted to enhance the governments response to domestic violence by opening three additional womens centers in the country. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. The law was not effectively enforced, and weak public institutional structures contributed to the inadequate enforcement. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. (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). 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. Roatn and the Bay Islands are geographically separate from the mainland and experience lower crime rates even when compared with other Caribbean islands. The Public Ministrys Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights handled cases involving charges of human rights abuses by government officials. Victims were primarily impoverished individuals in both rural and urban areas (see section 7.c.). The National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH) reported 15 arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces as of August. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. jim martin death couples massage class san diego beaver falls football osac crime and safety reports. Review OSACs reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Departments webpage on driving and road safety abroad. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. 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. Often the cause of displacement the Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel security relatively peaceful demonstrations! 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osac crime and safety report honduras 2021