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 UNSDG has a strengthened coordination system that works at a country, regional and global level. Mass protests and the government's heavy-handed response have damaged the economy and sparked deadly . The police, along with the Ministry of Defenses Military Public Order Police (PMOP), routinely establish checkpoints and review documentation (e.g. In 2012, a U.S. citizen reported that his boat was boarded and his passengers were the victims of an armed robbery while sailing in Honduran waters near Puerto Cortes, three miles north of Punta Sal. These tensions have resulted in intense protests and violence. Passing on blind corners is common. These efforts included identifying more victims of labor trafficking, including children forced to commit unlawful acts, and increasing funding for the Inter-institutional Commission to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons (CICESCT). Red Cross ambulance: 911, (504) 2227-7474 or (504) 2227-7575. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Crime Information for Tourists in Honduras Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. 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. When possible, travel in groups. By comparison, the United States has a global safety ranking of 128. 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. ERO Houston removes twice-deported foreign fugitive wanted in Honduras As a result of Honduran government efforts in close cooperation with the United States, homicide rates have fallen from 86.0 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 43.6 per 100,000 at the end of 2019. 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. 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. 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. Choose taxis carefully, and note the drivers name and license number. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. As of August 2020, more than 21,000. drivers licenses, vehicle registration). Labor inspectors did not identify any suspected trafficking cases in 2020. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. CICESCT maintained a public website and launched social media accounts to share information on human trafficking with the public. 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. Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate. Additionally, illegal drugs are for sale in many of the popular tourist areas during the evening hours. It is also recommended that drivers vary their routes and schedules so as to not create a predictable routine. 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: 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. 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. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. However, there can be communal tension over land ownership, natural resource allocation, and exploitation. UNODC works on the development of standards for national crime and criminal justice information systems and for the conduct of victimization surveys. However, Honduran law enforcement authorities ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals is limited. I was housebound. 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. Violent crime is a serious issue in the entire country, with crimes such as kidnappings, rape, assaults, and murders. The government maintained strong protection efforts, with CICESCTs immediate response team providing robust assistance to victims throughout the year. World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch 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. Story written by Maria ElenaClix, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Honduras. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Review OSACs reports, The Overseas Travelers Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. NGOs reported authorities did not properly identify children forced to engage in illegal activities by criminal groups, reporting that the government may have inappropriately treated such children as criminals instead of victims. 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. 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. Civil unrest in Tegucigalpa and other parts of Honduras remains a constant challenge. We have provided a few examples below that you can copy and paste to your site: Your image export is now complete. An NGO noted courts continued to delay trafficking cases despite a requirement in the anti-trafficking law to process such cases in a timely manner, an issue further exacerbated by the pandemic. Armed robbery is a common problem, with armed bandits attacking minibusses and vans loaded with tourists traveling from the airport to their hotels in San Pedro Sula. "I think it is important that young people, and particularly men, raise awareness about this type of violence," added Daniel Vijil, from the youth institution El Milenio. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and USAID implementing partners have reported threats and violence when visiting some rural communities. Crime in Honduras in 2012, according to the U.N., Honduras experienced. First responders referred potential trafficking victims to CICESCTs immediate response team, composed of two psychologists and a social worker, for immediate support. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us. All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. El Salvador used to have a high crime rate, but that is not the case anymore. Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. . Increase government funding for victim services, including to NGOs, and anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur. 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. Enforce laws punishing brokers for illegal practices that facilitate trafficking, such as fraudulent offers of employment or illegal fees for migration or job placement. The following day, protesters started a fire outside of one of the U.S. Embassys entrances during demonstrations against public-sector reforms in the country. In Honduras, the United Nations is committed to continue working together with a wide range ofsectors of the country in achieving a more just and equitable society, where it isnt dangerous to be a woman. 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. Civil society continues to advocate for this law to be passed and the United Nations has joined in these efforts. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. 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. 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. However, the government lacked formal procedures for identifying victims among children apprehended for gang-related criminal activity. Download Historical Data. 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? The rainy season usually runs May-November. We have provided a few examples below that you can copy and paste to your site: Your data export is now complete. Useful Information. Alerts and Messages - U.S. Embassy in Honduras Most demonstrations were concentrated in or around city centers, public buildings, and other public areas. Armed robberies, burglaries, vandalization, home invasions, and extortions occur; closely guarded officials, businesspersons, and diplomats are not immune. According to the International Rescue Committee, femicides are a major concern in Honduras. If you use our datasets on your site or blog, we ask that you provide attribution via a link back to this page. 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. U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters. The 18th Street and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gangs are the most active and powerful. 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. Report on the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root causes of Migration Until his life grew increasingly violent. Police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime or may not respond at all. Nine significant tropical storms/hurricanes since 1995 have affected Honduras. While many protests remain relatively peaceful, demonstrations can escalate into violent confrontations with the police resulting in destruction to public and private property. 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. Review OSACs reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. 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. 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 Authorities initiated prosecutions of nine suspects (seven for sex trafficking and two for forced labor), compared with 55 initiated in 2019 (53 for sex trafficking including procuring commercial sex acts and two for forced labor) and 35 in 2018. In accordance with the governments intersectoral protocol on victim protection, CICESCT coordinated with relevant government institutions and NGOs to provide additional services to victims, including mental health counseling, legal services, medical care, lodging, food, family reintegration, and repatriation. Total Exports. Murders are easy to commit because most of Honduras' population is armed. Dial 911 for emergency or call (504) 2232-4092. Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Due to the lack of enforcement of traffic laws, travelers should make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively. 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. 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 Honduran government conducts occasional joint police/military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. CICESCT sustained its efforts to provide immediate protection to victims and coordinate additional services among other stakeholders without interruption throughout the pandemic. 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. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. Review the State Departments webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. MUST READ! Is Honduras Safe to Visit in 2022? - The Broke Backpacker Overseas Security Advisory Council - U.S. Embassy in El Salvador Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. Courts issued prison sentences ranging from three to 13 years for convicted adult traffickers and ordered some of them to pay monetary fines to the government. 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. 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. Members of the LGBTI+ community have reported violent assaults because of gender identity and sexual orientation. and the scope of organized crime 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. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Honduras. For fire and public safety emergencies, dial 911. The police generally treat detained foreigners well. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. 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. 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. 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. 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 regulations prohibited charging recruitment fees to workers, but the government did not report enforcement of these regulations in 2020. 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. The women who have lost their lives violently this year are women who can no longer contribute to the economy and development of Honduras", she regretted. s Honduras Safe For Tourists? Expert Tips & Advice for 2023 - Layer Culture Travelers in those areas should use extra caution. The last two years have shone an unflattering light . In November 2019, Tegucigalpa authorities began developing a luxury housing project in the La Tigra bioreserve, just outside of the city. My appreciation and congratulations to Ana Cruz and the fantastic work of safe houses! Gangs control some of the taxi services. OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture, with U.S. companies and organizations receiving the tools they need to cope with security issues in a . honduras crime and safety report 2021 - nautilusva.com Information provided is subject to change without notice. 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. NGOs have reported anonymous attacks via social media, alleging that civil society actors are engaged in, or supportive of, criminal activity in Honduras. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Article 219 of the Honduran penal code, which came into effect in June 2020, criminalized sex and labor trafficking and prescribed penalties of five to eight years imprisonment. Avoid driving at night. 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). 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. During the presentation of these findings, Alice Shackelford called for "changing the narrative and expressing our intolerance towards this type of violence". Three LGBTQ+ People Were Killed in Honduras on Same Day Death threats and gang violence forcing more families to - ReliefWeb Visitors can send general inquiries to the communications team. 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. CICESCT referred 37 victimsfive boys, 22 girls, and 10 womento government and NGO shelters for additional care. 0. Cruise lines and port agencies offer approved tour companies offering packages. According to InSight Crime, the crime rate has decreased by 26%, which is what the Honduran government is aiming to work on if they expect more visitors per year. An official website of the United States Government, Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. As a result of Honduran government efforts in close cooperation with the United States, homicide rates have fallen from 86.0 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 43.6 per 100,000 at the end of 2019. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. This helps keep everyone in poverty. The UN takes all reports of possible wrongdoing seriously. Honduras has a long history of sustaining damage due to powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. The U.S. Embassy estimates at least 30,000 U.S. citizens reside in Honduras. Indigenous and ethnic minority communities are frequently located in rural areas, which enjoy lower levels of criminal activity. 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. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Armed men have forced vehicles transporting tourists off the road and robbed the victims, occasionally assaulting the driver or passengers. There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 gang members in a country with an approximate population of ten million people. In April 2019, one or more individuals attempted a surreptitious breach of perimeter fencing at a U.S. Embassy residence. There is no information to suggest that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens or foreigners. 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. Perpetrators of sexual assaults are often armed. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. 2.2. In March 2019, the Honduran Government created the National Urban Transportation Security Force to combat extortion and other crimes perpetrated by gangs. However, with respect to sex trafficking, these penalties were not commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. In 2021, almost 39 homicides were committed per 100,000 inhabitants in Honduras. 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. The government cooperated with the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico to investigate trafficking cases and detain suspects. Institutions in remote Honduras are permeated by organized drug crime In past years, several U.S. citizens have been murdered in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba shortly after arriving in the country. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. The governments disaggregated victim data included some victims of related crimes such as child pornography; all identified victims were Honduran citizens and included 43 children and 24 adults, 56 females and 10 males, and one LGBTQI+ individual. Thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur. In comparison, the government identified 75 victims (66 in sex trafficking and 9 in forced labor) and NGOs identified 78 victims in 2019, and the government identified 73 victims (63 in sex trafficking and 10 in forced labor) in 2018. 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. Institutionalize training for anti-trafficking police and prosecutorial units, judges, and CICESCTs immediate response team. Review OSACs report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The government did not provide an update on its investigation of alleged sexual exploitation of a female prisoner in a correctional facility from the previous year. 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. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Although crime and violent crime occur in all parts of Honduras, the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the countrys highest crime rates. Other Honduran government agencies also provided funds from their budgets for victim assistance. Since 2012, the Honduran government signed agreements with Transparency International, the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Animals and people wander onto the roads. Pilar Lagos, Allan Chan, and PaulVanDeCarrfrom the Development Coordination Office (DCO) provided editorial support. Earlier. 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. Download the State Departments Crime Victims Assistance brochure. 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. The juvenile penal system issued a sentence of six months house arrest for one convicted trafficker who was a child. Embassy employees and others have experienced skimming at well- known restaurants, hotels, and retailers. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. We have also confirmed reports of armed robbers traveling in private cars targeting pedestrians on isolated streets. Since 2010, nine U.S. citizens have been reported as victims of rape or sexual assault in Honduras, signaling an increasing trend in these types of crimes. Honduras remains deeply polarised. Crime Information for Tourists in Ecuador Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. in Choluteca: the cities of Apacilagua, Orocuina and San Isidro. Honduras - United States Department of State 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. These crimes may have been the result of tips from sources surveilling the airport arrival area. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News Latest News Honduras | World | The Guardian The government maintained prevention efforts. Shall I live on, or shall I die? Caption: Honduras has the highest femicide rates in Latin America. "I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am lucky to be alive," said Rosa Maria Perez at the launch of the campaign. 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras.
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