Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. There is street crime even in gated communities commonly referred to locally as Barrio Seguros; these are generally safer areas in which to reside because of their heightened security measures. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. In June, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found that Honduras had violated the rights to life and personal integrity of Vicky Hernndez, a transgender woman, sex worker and activist killed during the 2009 coup. Most often, pickpocketing and theft of bags and wallets occur here. 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. The Government of Honduras has a very limited law enforcement presence in some northern coastal areas, including parts of the departments of Olancho, Colon, and Gracias a Dios. El Salvador used to have a high crime rate, but that is not the case anymore. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Home. The government allocated insufficient funds for implementation of the plan and relevant agencies relied on additional support from foreign donors to implement its activities. During 2019, multiple vehicles belonging to U.S. and Honduran employees of the U.S. Embassy were burglarized and/or vandalized on side streets around the Embassy compound. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. . In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. Review OSACs reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, Im Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Donts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad. Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. 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. I was housebound. 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. 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. Major cities connect via an inconsistently maintained, two-lane system of paved roads, with many unpaved secondary roads. The immediate response team provided 67 victims of trafficking and related crimes with assistance, including legal advice, immediate protection, and psychological services. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. and the scope of organized crime in Honduras. 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. AUDIE CORNISH,. Labor inspectors did not identify any suspected trafficking cases in 2020. 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. Honduran law allowed foreign victims to receive temporary or permanent residency status, including authorization to work, though the government did not identify any foreign victims in 2020. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. UN teams are now better enabled to support countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Information provided is subject to change without notice. Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. . Earlier. Massay Crisantho is one of the 21 most influential people named ambassadors to help advocate on ending violence against women and girls by the United Nations in Honduras. We have also confirmed reports of armed robbers traveling in private cars targeting pedestrians on isolated streets. Despite significant Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. Level of crime: 66.67: High: Crime increasing in the past 3 years: 78.57: . According to the Peruvian National Police ( PNP ), crime increased 15% in 2021. Honduran law prohibited the prosecution of victims for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit. This resulted in multiple protests by environmentalist groups claiming the project is illegal due to the damage to the bioreserve and exacerbating the citys already dire water shortage. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Quarter of residents in Yangon's poorest areas often go without income, From Grief to Growth: Supporting a Woman Farmer in Lebanon, Reaching the last mile in Uganda: Decentralised Coordination for impact, Strengthening Resident Coordinator Leadership, Violence against women, the other pandemic impacting Honduras, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. A woman is likely to be killed every 36 hours in this country. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) 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). 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. It is urgent to pass the law on safe houses where women who manage to get away from violent situations are taken care of. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. Compare Roatan with: . Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Young males working in pairs, often riding motorcycles, are perpetrating many of the armed robberies in Honduras urban areas. 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. 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. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, there are limited facilities for individuals with disabilities. The ambulance does not have paramedics or emergency medical equipment; it functions solely as transport to hospitals. Review OSACs reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns. Travelers should always drive with their doors locked and windows rolled up to avoid potential robberies at traffic lights and other places, such as congested downtown streets. "Two years ago, I came asking for help at a time when I couldn't take it anymore, to the extent that I intended to attempt against my life, with no hope for anything. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. The juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. Caption: On 25th November, women and men rallied together to raise awareness of the increasing femicide rates and growing violence against women and girls at a UN-supported event. 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. First responders referred potential trafficking victims to CICESCTs immediate response team, composed of two psychologists and a social worker, for immediate support. The UNSDG guides, supports, tracks and oversees the coordination of development operations in 162 countries and territories. LGBTI+ travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. Reach the local police anywhere in Honduras by dialing 911. The government cooperated with the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico to investigate trafficking cases and detain suspects. For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. UNODC works on the development of standards for national crime and criminal justice information systems and for the conduct of victimization surveys. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. Chicago, for example, has a per capita murder rate of 24 per 100,000. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. 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. 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. Should a U.S. citizen be kidnapped, local authorities and the U.S. Embassy should be contacted immediately. "Honduras: Death of Keyla Martnez demands prompt, exhaustive and impartial investigation", 9 February Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to report the matter. This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. There have been frequent incidents of carjacking and highway robbery on a number of roads including the main highway (CA-5) between San Pedro Sula and Siguatepeque, with the greatest risk between Potrerillos and Pito Solo in the lake area. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. Municipalities With the Highest Number of Homicides, 600 500 400 478 300 410 200 100 251 112 101 100 94 69 61 56 54 54 54 53 50 45 41 40 37 35 0, January to December 2019, Secretariat of Security Honduran National Police, Honduran Municipalities With Highest Percentage of Homicides 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%, Honduran Municipalities With Highest Percentage of Homicides. Some victims provided testimony through pre-recorded interviews in secure Gesell chambers or, due to the pandemic, video calls. The main problems are related to corruption, robbery, and vandalism. 4-Minute Listen Playlist Download Transcript NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with veteran journalist Carlos Dada, founder of El Faro newspaper, about his latest reporting from Honduras. Armed men have forced vehicles transporting tourists off the road and robbed the victims, occasionally assaulting the driver or passengers. The UNSDG has a strengthened coordination system that works at a country, regional and global level. Travelers should be aware, however, that the assistance the Embassy can provide is limited to making sure U.S. citizens are not treated differently from local detainees and providing them with a list of local attorneys. In 2019, there were 1,500 traffic fatalities throughout the country. By comparison, the United States has a global safety ranking of 128. The government initially allocated 8.93 million lempiras ($357,150) to CICESCT but later decreased its actual disbursement to 6.18 million lempiras ($247,020) due to pandemic-related funds redistribution and budget cuts. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. The public transportation sector is a regular target of extortion, and experiences higher levels of homicide than many other sectors. 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. Counterfeit Honduran lempiras (currency) are common, especially in the 100 and 500 denominations. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well- known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. The government maintained a specialized anti-trafficking prosecution unit, but experts observed the unit remained understaffed and lacked sufficient resources to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes. Traffickers particularly target LGBTQI+ Hondurans, migrants, IDPs, persons with disabilities, children in child labor, children whose parents have migrated, and individuals living in areas controlled by organized criminal groups. 2.2. U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters. Cattrachas, a lesbian feminist human rights group in Honduras's capital of Tegucigalpa, said 405 LGBTQ people have been reported killed in the country since 2009, according to the Blade. Those planning travel to Gracias a Dios should consider postponing their travel. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. Most of these attacks involved gang members demanding extortion payments. Traffickers exploit Honduran adults and children in forced labor in street vending, forced begging, domestic service, drug trafficking, and the informal sector in their own country, as well as forced labor in other countries, particularly Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. Driving in Honduras can be dangerous. 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. The government conducted law enforcement operations targeting irregular migration and increased border enforcement, leading to 160 arrests for smuggling crimes that increased migrants vulnerability to trafficking. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. This report of the Central America Monitor aims to define a baseline for the indicators related to reducing violence and combatting organized crime in Honduras. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. 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. 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. 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. The government maintained strong protection efforts, with CICESCTs immediate response team providing robust assistance to victims throughout the year. Index; Crime Index: 51.16: Safety Index: 48.84: Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras. These penalties were sufficiently stringent. 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. Due to the lack of enforcement of traffic laws, travelers should make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively. CICESCT sustained its efforts to provide immediate protection to victims and coordinate additional services among other stakeholders without interruption throughout the pandemic. "Indeed, women are the affected ones, but as men, we have a greater opportunity to influence other men and make them reflect on how we impact our sisters, friends and colleagues with our behaviour. 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. Criminals expanded the use of social network platforms to recruit victims, often with false promises of employment, and continued to target vulnerable populations. Gracias a Dios is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is frequent, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police/military presence is scarce. Visas - Most countries do not need a visa in order to enter Honduras for any stays shorter than 30 days.Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your date of arrival. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Honduras. Civil society continues to advocate for this law to be passed and the United Nations has joined in these efforts. Backlinks from other websites and blogs are the lifeblood of our site and are our primary source of new traffic. This is the second consecutive year that the murder rate falls below 40 per 100,000 population since 2014, which. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Caption: Honduras has the highest femicide rates in Latin America. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STSS) monitored and regulated compliance with labor laws and policies that could decrease workers vulnerability to trafficking, including those regulating private employment agencies and establishing protections for vulnerable classes of workers such as domestic workers, seafarers, and temporary workers in Canada; however, the government did not provide details on enforcement. Do not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. 0. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. The government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. 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. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. Murders are easy to commit because most of Honduras' population is armed. In October 2019, a thief stole the side view mirrors from a U.S. employees personally owned vehicle while it was parked on a side street near the Embassy. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Of November 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 crimes are carried out by acting., 2022, in Uvalde, Texas in Action - Honduras /a > Qatar iverson house . 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 U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. 2022 estimated. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Honduras - Safety & Security ; Honduras - Country Commercial Guide Honduras Country Commercial Guide. Children, including from indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, particularly Miskito boys, are at risk for forced labor in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing, mining, and hospitality industries. In 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Honduras. Instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you depart, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change. My appreciation and congratulations to Ana Cruz and the fantastic work of safe houses! Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan should be avoided after dark. The government adapted its training and awareness-raising activities targeting groups at high risk of trafficking and potential first responders to online platforms, reaching a broader geographic range of stakeholders. Honduras remains deeply polarised. Detained U.S. citizens should insist on speaking to U.S. Embassy representatives as soon as possible. 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. Kidnappings declined by 82% since 2013, from 92 in 2013 to 14 in 2018, and 12 in 2019. As of August 2020, more than 21,000. 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. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. honduras crime and safety report 2022. Credit card skimming is common. 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. The CA-4 agreement among El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras allows for the inspection-free movement of citizens among these countries, reducing overall inspection at land crossings. Fire Department operations: +504-2231-1667. The events targeted members of at-risk groupsincluding children and students, individuals with disabilities, and indigenous personsas well as potential first responders and officials from key sectors such as education and tourism. The government has also begun implementing a series of police reforms; it has formed groups such as the National Inter-Agency Security Task Force (FUSINA) and the National Anti-Gang Task Force (FNAMP) to combat crime. You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. 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. 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 government maintained prevention efforts. Correspondent John Holman reports from San Pedro Sula in Honduras, a city with the highest murder rate in the world, on how organized crime is devastating co. The government lacks resources to investigate and prosecute cases; police often lack vehicles/fuel to respond to calls for assistance. Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2011 Global Study on Homicide, Honduras has the highest per capita homicide rate in the world, with 86 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. Pilar Lagos, Allan Chan, and PaulVanDeCarrfrom the Development Coordination Office (DCO) provided editorial support. Individuals should also limit the sharing of personal information and closely screen personal employees. 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) Child victims could receive care from government or NGO shelters, while women had the option of receiving assistance from NGO shelters; there were no specialized shelters for trafficking victims and no shelters that accepted men. "My respect to the brave women survivors of domestic violence! 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. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. 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. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. An official website of the United States Government, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. Honduras is a destination for child sex tourists from Canada and the United States. The rate of young people killing other young people is down to two main gangs : Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18. These areas are well known for narcotics smuggling and violence. In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. Figures likely to be an underestimate, says Global Witness, as land defenders are killed by hitmen, crime groups and governments Published: 28 Sep 2022 More than 1,700 environmental activists . It is not only women who must strengthen a social movement that contributes to breaking gender stereotype paradigms and cycles of sexism that lead to gender-based violence. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from: a. Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. DOS Trafficking in Persons Report - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019. Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. According to the Global Peace Index, the island of Roatan, as a part of Honduras, shares its ranking of 123 out of 163 countries analyzed. They practice "war taxing", which is essentially just demanding money from people. Honduras has the highest femicide rate in the Latin American region, with6.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This team continued to operate during the pandemic despite restrictions on movement and inadequate funding for personal protective equipment. The Mexico 2017 Crime and Safety Report for Mexico City by the US Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) indicates that crimes such as armed robberies, kidnappings, car thefts, credit card fraud and residential theft are "daily concerns" (US 24 Feb. 2017). However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The campaign and its different audiovisual assets have been broadcasted by over 15 media outlets nationwide and free of charge, including the country's most-watched TV network. Useful Information. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras BARRIO 18 / 17 JAN 2023 To Desafio, the Barrio 18 gang in Honduras was everything. The government is implementing similar programs for other locations (e.g. Crime in Roatan, Honduras. 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 . As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity. The rainy season usually runs May-November. 0. When possible, travel in groups. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. This report is a result of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and complies with Federal reporting requirements, specifically 20 U.S. Code Section 1092 (f).