Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. The new amendments to the penal code lowered the penalties for trafficking crimes, resulting in penalties that were not commensurate with those prescribed for other grave crimes, such as rape. The government has established a special tourist police in the resort town of Tela and other tourist destinations including Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatan, but the number of tourist police deployed is small and coverage is limited. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. Honduran police generally do not speak English. Home. It provided a family, a sense of belonging. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. First responders referred potential trafficking victims to CICESCTs immediate response team, composed of two psychologists and a social worker, for immediate support. The government modernized its national identification card system and began distributing new national identification cards in February 2021. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. Honduras has a high homicide rate, with a murder rate of 36 people per 100,000 in 2020. Following anticorruption protests in 2015, President Hernandez signed an agreement with the Organization of American States to form the Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). Criminals expanded the use of social network platforms to recruit victims, often with false promises of employment, and continued to target vulnerable populations. Yes, despite all the historical crime and violence, which don't affect tourists, El Salvador is safe to visit in 2023. international and local public pressure, MACCIHs mandate ended in January 2020 without agreement for its extension between the OAS and the Honduran government. 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. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. 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. 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. Honduras is a signatory to the International Labor Organizations 169 Convention, which requires free prior notice and informed consent from indigenous communities before any development projects can begin; the congress has not approved a law regulating this process. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Index; Crime Index: 51.16: Safety Index: 48.84: Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras. The Basilica of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa, also known as Suyapa Church or Cathedral, is an important religious site and popular tourist destination. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. The law on safe houses, which has been stalled in the National Congress since 2018, aims to recognize and fund safe houses to provide care for survivors of multiple forms of violence, ensuring their wellbeing and that of their families. 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. Counterfeit products are predominately but not solely in the pharmaceutical and apparel industries. Increase investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of suspected traffickers, including complicit officials and forced labor crimes. Criminals and pickpockets target visitors as they enter and depart airports and hotels, so visitors should consider carrying their passports and valuables in a concealed pouch. DOS Trafficking in Persons Report - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. Honduras sees 318 cases of femicide in 2021: Report At least 19 women murdered since beginning of 2022, says Honduras Center for Women's Studies Sinan Doan | 27.01.2022 The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Honduras is a destination for child sex tourists from Canada and the United States. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras BARRIO 18 / 17 JAN 2023 To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. Earlier. The government maintained prevention efforts. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. 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. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit. The pandemic, as well as Hurricanes Eta and Iota, negatively affected economic opportunity and furthered inequality, resulting in an increased number of individuals vulnerable to trafficking. 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. Since 2010, there have been approximately 60 murders of U.S. citizens reported in Honduras. Migrants from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, and South America who transit Honduras en route to the United States are vulnerable to being exploited in trafficking. 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. Violence linked to land disputes also occurs, particularly in the Bay Islands and Bajo Aguan Valley in northern Honduras. My appreciation and congratulations to Ana Cruz and the fantastic work of safe houses! Nicaragua used to be part of the CA-4 agreement, but in late 2017 began requiring travelers to register their travel purpose and destination online seven days in advance. Humanitarian Assistance: Since April 2021, USAID reached approximately 1.9 million people impacted by recurrent droughts, COVID-19, and severe damage from Hurricanes Eta and Iota in northern. Most cruise line passengers experience no problems, but there have been reports of associated armed robbery and carjacking. Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. However, Honduran law enforcement authorities ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals is limited. Due to the lack of enforcement of traffic laws, travelers should make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively. In 2011, a Canadian citizen was killed in a similar incident. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law and be subject to local penalties. The last two years have shone an unflattering light . CICESCT provided 76,970 lempiras ($3,080) to an NGO operating a shelter that accommodated women, girls, and boys up to age 12 and dedicated 318,040 lempiras ($12,720) to victims immediate needs including food, hygiene supplies, and lodging. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. The government provided 31 victims with witness protection services including measures to protect their identity; shelter; and economic, medical and psychosocial assistance. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. Mass protests and the government's heavy-handed response have damaged the economy and sparked deadly . Honduras's most dangerous cities or towns: Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, El Progreso, El Paraso at Copn, Tocoa, Olancho, La Lima, Puerto Corts. U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 0730-1630; Friday, 0800-1500 Tel: +504-2236-9320; After Hours: +504-2236-8497 Website: http://hn.usembassy.gov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embajadahonduras/, U.S. Consular Agency San Pedro Sula Banco Atlntida Building, 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park, San Pedro Sula Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 1200-1600 Tel: +504-2558-1580 Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/spsca/. However, protesters will also block, key intercity transportation routes and intracity intersections with burning tires, rocks and other debris, to include the roads leading to the international airports in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and the CA-5 and CA-11 highways. The government followed a regional protocol to facilitate the repatriation of victims identified abroad and funded food, transportation, and lodging for such victims through a fund administered by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Although Honduras has reduced its homicide rate by half since 2011, it remains one of the world's highest, with 44.8 murders per 100,000 population in 2019. Received a complaint about honduras crime and safety report 2021 at Pioneer Park with murder November 2017 shorter! The government also enacted a new penal code provision that brought the definition of trafficking in line with the definition under international law. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. "My respect to the brave women survivors of domestic violence! There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras. Some passengers opt to travel armed when using public transportation, which sometimes results in armed confrontations where innocent bystanders are injured or killed in the crossfire. The government reported 41 calls to the CICESCT hotline led to 22 potential cases referred for investigation. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. The Public Ministry trained 160 prosecutors on human trafficking including on new provisions in the penal code, and the governments judicial training school trained select magistrates, judges, and justices of the peace on human trafficking issues. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. Honduran regulations prohibited charging recruitment fees to workers, but the government did not report enforcement of these regulations in 2020. See the description of highways/areas to be avoided in the Traffic Safety and Road Conditions section below for details. Avoid protests, which can quickly turn violent. Officials in the Returned Migrant Assistance Center conducted evaluations of returned Hondurans and referred suspected trafficking cases to CICESCT; however, screening for trafficking indicators was not systematic among returned migrants, and the government did not report whether these efforts resulted in identification of any victims during the year. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. As a result of this study, UN Women will be organizing trainings for media outlets on objective and respectful journalism in these types of subjects. 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. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. Increase government funding for victim services, including to NGOs, and anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units. Despite significant Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. Civil society continues to advocate for this law to be passed and the United Nations has joined in these efforts. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded. 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. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. The Honduran National Police wear blue uniforms, while the PMOP normally wear green camouflage. Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. Head of Police Gustavo Snchez 7 Feb said state of emergency, first imposed in Dec 2022 to tackle extortion, had reduced average number of homicides per day from nine in 2022 to seven so far in 2023. . 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. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. Safety in El Salvador. The government convicted 14 traffickers, including 10 for sex trafficking, two for forced labor, and two for both sex trafficking and forced labor, compared with 34 traffickers convicted in 2019 (33 for sex trafficking/procuring commercial sex acts and one for forced labor) and 16 traffickers (including six for procuring commercial sex acts) convicted in 2018. InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was created in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private-sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. Assaults in these areas may be based on tips from sources at airport arrival areas, so visitors are strongly urged to exercise caution in discussing travel plans in public. 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. Law enforcement, immigration, and social service providers had written procedures for identifying and assisting victims, including screening for indicators of trafficking among vulnerable populations and referring potential victims to CICESCTs immediate response team. Most often, pickpocketing and theft of bags and wallets occur here. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. In 2019, there was one murder case involving a resident U.S. citizen in Roatn. Story written by Maria ElenaClix, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Honduras. Download Historical Data. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. Highlights July 27, 2022: Student Reports of Bullying: Results from the 2019 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey July 12, 2022: Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools in 2019-20: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety June 28, 2022: The government investigated two police officials for suspected trafficking crimes and six police officials for smuggling crimes that may have increased migrants vulnerability to trafficking. There are few U.S.- educated physicians in Tegucigalpa. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. 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 UN takes all reports of possible wrongdoing seriously. UN teams are now better enabled to support countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In contrast, the enrollment in secondary schools dropped to 52%, while post-secondary education was attended by just 26% of the relevant age group in 2020. . HMCs lab was reviewed by the Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist and found to be up to U.S. standards and quality assurance practices. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Amend the penal code to ensure the penalties prescribed for trafficking crimes are commensurate with the penalties prescribed for other grave crimes, such as rape. Although Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country, thefts, break-ins, assaults, and murders do occur. The government offered services to both forced labor and sex trafficking victims but identified a disproportionately low number of forced labor victims compared to the estimated prevalence of forced labor in the country. Natalia Lozano is a Honduran lawyer, working in the fields of human, women's, LGBT, and youth rights as the Honduran National Coordinator of Right Here Right Now. According to the respected nonpartisan group Honduran Social Forum on External Debt, corruption cost Honduras about $10.3 billion between 2014 and 2018, the equivalent of 10% to 12.5% of the . Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the Latin American region, with6.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. Learn about employment opportunities across the UNSDG. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. Young males working in pairs, often riding motorcycles, are perpetrating many of the armed robberies in Honduras urban areas. Since 2010, Honduras has had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, ranging between 59 and 86 per 100,000 according to the U.S. Department of State. U.S. citizens are encouraged to be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. During July 2019 alone, the cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa recorded 11 attacks leaving 15 people dead, mostly taxi drivers and bus drivers. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Preliminary Observations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on its Visit to Honduras - May 15 TO 18, 2010 Honduras: Human Rights and the Coup D' ETAT - Dec. 2009 Return to the Top of the Page Justice System Foreign Government Reports Canada Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) However, visitors have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. A large number of media have distorted the populations perception on violence against women by informing about it in a way that makes it seems as if these are isolated cases, when the reality is that this is an endemic issue in the Honduran society. in Choluteca: the cities of Apacilagua, Orocuina and San Isidro. what did the menendez brothers parents do to them osac crime and safety report honduras Posted on July 8, 2021by Published by at June 7, 2022. Criminal organizations, including gangs, exploit girls in sex trafficking, force children into street begging, and coerce and threaten children and young adults to transport weapons, sell drugs, commit extortion, or serve as lookouts; this occurred primarily in urban areas, but one NGO reported an increase in gang activity in rural areas. Among the findings is that nine out of 10 news stories promote the dissemination of morbid details, include inadequate justifications and stereotypical reporting, which adds on to the misrepresentation of reality, which affects how this type of news is understood and interpreted by the public. One U.S. citizen was reported kidnapped between January and September 2013.. The law on safe houses, which has been stalled in the National Congress since 2018, aims to recognize and fund safe houses to provide care for survivors of multiple forms of violence, ensuring. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Honduras. First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandezs Migration Task Force continued to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to informing Hondurans about the dangers of irregular migration, including trafficking risks, and the government continued public awareness campaigns warning of trafficking risks along migratory routes through Guatemala and Mexico. Authorities reported restrictions implemented to mitigate the pandemic impeded investigations in commercial venues where trafficking has been known to occur and slowed investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. CICESCT maintained a public website and launched social media accounts to share information on human trafficking with the public. "The issue of gender-based violence is a central human rights issue. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this reports publication assesses Honduras at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel due to crime. and the scope of organized crime in Honduras. Officials from several ministries conducted additional trainings and awareness-raising activities with support from NGOs and international organizations. Always carry a mobile phone in case of emergency. 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), including Atlntida, Coln, Corts, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Yoro. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Perpetrators of sexual assaults are often armed. Increase efforts to identify victims, including among particularly vulnerable populations such as adult migrants, and provide assistance to all victims, including forced labor victims. The Honduras Country Council generally meets monthly on a rotating basis in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and has approximately 70 members. The CICESCT convened a network of 32 government agencies and NGOs and coordinated the governments anti-trafficking efforts, including implementation of the 2016-2020 national anti-trafficking action plan. Animals and people wander onto the roads. UNODC collects data on crime and the operation of criminal justice systems in order to make policy-relevant information and analysis available in a timely manner to the international community. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. Is Honduras Safe to Travel Alone Traveling solo is becoming more popular and within Latin America, more people including myself have set out to travel alone. This is the second consecutive year that the murder rate falls below 40 per 100,000 population since 2014, which. Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. For more information on the work of the United Nations in Honduras, visit Honduras.UN.org. The Government of Honduras does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. According to a report published in June 2020 by the Network Against Anti-Union Violence, 36 trade unionists were murdered between 2009 and 2019. To find out more about the results of our work in this area and in others, read the UNSDG Chair's report on the Office for Development Coordination. Medical care is limited. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras. Counterfeit U.S. currency is also common. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. Avoid driving at night. Caption: Activist Massay Crisantho uses her influence and far-reaching platforms to advocate for the rights of women and girls in the country. In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. 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Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. The main problems are related to corruption, robbery, and vandalism. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. 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. Some would-be muggers and gang members keep to a daily schedule, riding city buses from one stop to the next, committing criminal acts with impunity along the way. 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. Roatn and the Bay Islands are geographically separate from the mainland and experience lower crime rates even when compared with other Caribbean islands.
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