osac crime and safety report honduras 2021

In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: The minimum legal age of marriage for both boys and girls is 18. The Secretariat of Human Rights served as an effective advocate for human rights within the government. On March 28, transgender activist Vanessa Zuniga was killed in Tela, Atlantida Department. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. 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. According to the Honduran National Police, there were 12 kidnappings reported nationwide during 2019. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. On June 17, a riot between alleged members of the 18th Street and MS-13 gangs in the maximum-security prison La Tolva in Moroceli, El Paraiso Department, resulted in five dead and 39 injured. The accused were in pretrial detention awaiting the next phase of the judicial process. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor, c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment, d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation. OSAC encourages travelers to, to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Honduras. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Estimates of the number of children younger than 18 in the countrys workforce ranged from 370,000 to 510,000. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. Transgender persons are prohibited from changing their legal gender status. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Bureau of Diplomatic Security Limited inspections could facilitate movements of terrorists. The STSS may levy a fine against companies that fail to pay social security obligations, but the amount was not sufficient to deter violations. Onum is a values-driven SEO agency dedicated. The police, along with the Ministry of Defenses Military Public Order Police (PMOP), routinely establish checkpoints and review documentation (e.g. The 18th Street and MS-13 (. ) Meanwhile, 59% reported having been assaulted at least once while a passenger in a taxi (Colectivo and Rolatero) in the past 12 months, 32% twice, 6% three times, and 3% more than three times. Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work without incident, but the government lacks the resources to address crime and violence fully. The Ministries of Security and of Defense both have human rights offices that coordinate human rights-related activities with the Secretariat of Human Rights. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Penalties for facilitating child sex trafficking are six to 12 years in prison and monetary fines. 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. 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 reported killings took place during law enforcement operations or were linked to criminal activity by government agents. Honduras received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation in the development of an e-procurement platform and public procurement auditing. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. The law provides for an independent judiciary, but the justice system was poorly funded and staffed, inadequately equipped, often ineffective, and subject to intimidation, corruption, politicization, and patronage. The Embassy cannot secure the release or act as legal representation for any U.S. citizen. Last Updated Feb 8, 2020. 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. The government generally respected these provisions. 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. The center, administered by the National Prison Institute, was on a military installation and received some support services from the military. 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). Perdomo allegedly killed Keyla Martinez after she was detained for violating the countrys COVID-19 curfew. 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. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. (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). These conditions contributed to an unstable, dangerous environment in the penitentiary system. The penalties for rape range from nine to 13 years imprisonment. The rainy season usually runs May-November. 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. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. El Salvador 2020 Crime & Safety Report Author (s) U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Date Published 2020 Length 8 pages Publication Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. In most prisons only inmates who purchased bottled water or had water filters in their cells had access to potable water. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. 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. Unions also raised concerns regarding the use of temporary contracts and part-time employment, suggesting that employers used these mechanisms to prevent unionization and avoid providing full benefits. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. WebHonduras murder/homicide rate for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. WebHonduras Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Credible observers noted problems in trial procedures, such as a lack of admissible evidence, judicial corruption, witness intimidation, and an ineffective witness protection program. canucks roster 2021 2022 osac crime and safety report honduras helping paws okanagan By In australian shepherds colorado Posted June 11, 2022 las vegas strip before and after pictures The government investigated and prosecuted some of these crimes, but impunity was widespread. 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. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Zika. The law requires individuals and companies that employ more than 20 school-age children at their facilities to provide a location for a school. In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. Arbitrary Arrest: CONADEH reported 38 reports of arbitrary arrest through August. CONAPREV reported 13 violent deaths in prisons as of September. Exercise extreme caution driving on isolated stretches of road and passing other vehicles on mountainous curves. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. The government investigated violence and threats of violence against union leaders. The government tasks CONAPREV with visiting prisons and making recommendations for protecting the rights of prisoners. Uniforms and vehicles are all clearly marked. . Violence was often rooted in a broader context of conflict over land and natural resources, extensive corruption, lack of transparency and community consultation, other criminal activity, and limited state ability to protect the rights of vulnerable communities. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. The Honduras Medical Center (HMC) is the primary private hospital that the Embassy uses for emergency response and when hospitalization is required. Review OSACs report, If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, contact the local police and U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa. Vanessa worked as a volunteer in the Association for Prevention and Education in Health, Sexuality, AIDS, and Human Rights. The STSS did not approve any authorizations through September. Her most recent evaluation was in August, and the court declared her fit to stand trial in September. The law provides for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. There were allegations that companies used collective pacts, which are collective contracts with nonunionized workers, to prevent unionization and collective bargaining because only one collective contract may exist in each workplace. 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. 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. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. The government used the pretrial detention center to hold high-profile suspects and those in need of additional security, including police and military officials. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. There are no legal cases involving instances of terrorism affecting U.S. citizens or facilities brought before the Honduran judicial system, and no reports of judicial developments that would have a negative impact on U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Mental health professionals expressed concern regarding social stigma by families and communities against persons with mental disabilities and a lack of access to mental health care throughout the country. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. 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. Contact OSACs, https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/, External links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein, Travel Advisory: Honduras - Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), Central America Natural Disaster Emergency Planning: OSAC Guidance and Resources. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). 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. Children often worked alongside family members in agriculture and other work, such as fishing, construction, transportation, and small businesses. 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. 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. Emergency services, even in Tegucigalpa, generally are basic. Since its inception in 2016, MACCIH has worked with the Public Ministry to achieve success on several significant cases, including against current and former public officials. Prisoners suffered from overcrowding, insufficient access to food and water, violence, and alleged abuse by prison officials. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. WebWeather Alert for U.S. Citizens Tropical Storm Julia (7 October, 2022) Message for U.S. Citizens: Absentee Voting Week is October 1-8, 2022 (28 September, 2022) Message for U.S. Citizens: Town Hall with Ambassador Dogu and Consular Services also Available in Roatan, Honduras (14 September, 2022) 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. 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. Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes all forms of rape of women or men, including spousal rape. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. Backsliding occurred in cases brought during the four-year mandate of the OAS Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras; several of its cases were dismissed or postponed as courts heard appeals based on the new code. 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. 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. ; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. 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. WebHome; Products. Nearly 3.3 million people, or one in three Hondurans, were experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by late 2021. Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government, Section 5. Through September the secretariat trained 2,626 law enforcement officials in human rights and international humanitarian law. In September police arrested Denis Abel Ordonez, Michael Andre Mejia, and Walter Antonio Matute Raudales in connection with her murder. Independent Monitoring: The government generally permitted prison visits by independent local and international human rights observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. The country was a destination for child sex tourism, particularly in the tourist area of the Bay Islands. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as. Many of these U.S. citizens are church and humanitarian aid volunteers working throughout the country, including in gang-controlled neighborhoods. Many inspectors asked workers to provide them with transportation so that they could conduct inspections, since the STSS could not pay for travel to worksites. 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. Printer Friendly Email Article. On May 30, protesters blocked several main avenues in Tegucigalpa, including access to Toncontn International Airport (TGU). You can add more than one country or area. WebLuxembourg2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg. jim martin death couples massage class san diego beaver falls football osac crime and safety reports. The Public Ministry reported seven cases of alleged illegal detention or arbitrary arrest as of September. 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. The violence is carried out by local drug 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. Inconsistent, retroactive implementation of provisions of the revised code led to logjams in the legal system and impunity for some of the accused. 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