Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from: a. 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. Is Roatn Safe - Is it Safe for Tourists to Travel on the Island of Roatn? I was housebound. Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers. However, Honduran law enforcement authorities ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals is limited. and the scope of organized crime in Honduras. Homicide rate in Honduras 2022 | Statista 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. Review OSACs report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Contact OSACs Latin America team with any questions or to join. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Honduras Crime. Safety and crime information on Honduras 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. However, it is situated in a high crime area and has been the site of numerous armed robberies and thefts. 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. Explore and easily find UNSDG publications. How To Stay Safe In Honduras - www.centralamerica.com Chicago, for example, has a per capita murder rate of 24 per 100,000. Responding police fired tear gas in and around the main terminal to regain control after protesters entered the building and airport grounds. Hondurans continue to be affected by MS-13 and Calle 18 gang activity in cities such as Tegucigalpa, Choloma, La Ceiba, Tela, and San Pedro Sula. Authorities convicted two government officials, one on pimping charges and one for paid sexual relations, for their involvement in sex trafficking crimes in 2017. 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. 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. The Honduran government is modernizing some of the main transportation road networks to four-lane highways, which can lead to increased travel times because of ongoing construction. Municipalities With Highest Number of Deaths Attributed to Traffic Accidents 200 150 100 179 177 50 61 52 39 0 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 24 23 23 22 21 19 16, January to December 2019, Secretariat of Security Honduran National Police Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI+ nightclubs. 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. Honduras | Crisis Group Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. 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 government identified fewer victims overall and investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer suspects. Our message is that we shouldnt leave womens and feminist institutions that fight to eradicate violence against women alone [on their mission], said Ana Cruz of Asociacin Calidad de Vida, an anti-violence organization. drivers licenses, vehicle registration). Garza is wanted in Honduras for homicide. 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. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. Honduras removed the offense of sex tourism from its amended penal code, and the government did not investigate or prosecute any suspected trafficking cases in the tourism sector. Although Honduras has made some progress, many perceive the property registration system as unreliable and a constraint on investment, particularly in the Bay Islands. 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. Develop and implement standardized procedures for victim identification and referral, including screening for indicators of forced criminal activity among children involved in gang-related crimes. Vehicles often drive at night without adequate lighting. ", expressed the UN Resident Coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, on Twitter. For more information on the work of the United Nations in Honduras, visit Honduras.UN.org. 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. Reports of kidnappings of U.S. citizens are not common, with zero reports for 2019. Last update: October 2022. 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. U.S. citizens in Honduras on U.S. government orders are only allowed to visit the Basilica of Suyapa with an organized tour group that provides armed security for the group. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink. 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. There are no known international terrorist groups operating in Honduras. Gangs are not reluctant to use violence, and specialize in murder-for-hire, carjacking, extortion, and other violent street crime. Those traveling with tour/missionary groups report fewer criminal incidents. Crime Information for Tourists in Ecuador Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. While hurricane winds are a concern, much of the damage to infrastructure comes as a result of the ensuing flooding and rock/mudslides. How Safe Is Honduras for Travel? (2023 Updated) Travel Safe - Abroad The main problems are related to corruption, robbery, and vandalism. Violent transnational criminal organizations are also involved in narcotics trafficking and other illicit commerce. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to report the matter. Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year. Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website. 0. The law on safe houses needs to be passed! Institutions in remote Honduras are permeated by organized drug crime Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. 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. 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. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate; streets are often unmarked even in major cities. Except in some very rural locations, police are aware of a U.S. citizen detainee's right to contact the Embassy. It is also recommended that drivers vary their routes and schedules so as to not create a predictable routine. If you use our chart images on your site or blog, we ask that you provide attribution via a link back to this page. Honduras is one of the murder capitals of the world. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. 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. 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Crime in Roatan. Safety in Roatan - Numbeo World Report 2022: Honduras | Human Rights Watch Many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI+ community go unpunished. Review OSACs report, Surviving a Protest. It is urgent to pass the law on safe houses where women who manage to get away from violent situations are taken care of. Penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal narcotics are strict; convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. 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 . 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 - United States Department of State 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. La Ceiba, Trujillo) and major hotels; other tourist installations have increased private and police security. 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. 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. Enforce laws punishing brokers for illegal practices that facilitate trafficking, such as fraudulent offers of employment or illegal fees for migration or job placement. Uniforms and vehicles are all clearly marked. The San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels. Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden. Review OSACs report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Children living on the streets are at risk for sex and labor trafficking. Other Honduran government agencies also provided funds from their budgets for victim assistance. The government places specially trained police forces in areas tourists frequent (e.g. 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 includes a docuseries in which the testimonies of women survivors, like Rosa Mara, are central to raise awareness among the Honduran population on zero tolerance of all forms ofviolenceagainstwomenand girls. 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. 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. Honduras 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report. Cable signal theft and counterfeit products are the most prevalent violations of intellectual property rights in Honduras. Port agencies have worked to improve taxi service to/from ports. The U.S. Embassy strongly discourages intercity car and bus travel after dark. Index; Crime Index: 51.16: Safety Index: 48.84: Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras. "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. In addition, a lack of implementing regulations leads to long delays in the awarding of titles in some regions. Officials flew Garza, a 48-year-old . Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 40.98, a 26.23% decline from 2016. Discrimination occurs against ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community. Everything you need to know about human rights in Honduras - Amnesty Resolution of disputes in court often takes years. Ocean via the Gulf of Fonseca in the Caribbean and access to the local police and property crime 1. 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. Republic of Honduras - United States Department of Justice 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. 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. Review OSACs report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover in Honduras. 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. "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. 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. CICESCT referred 37 victimsfive boys, 22 girls, and 10 womento government and NGO shelters for additional care. Victims who tested positive for COVID-19 faced delays or limitations in receiving services from shelters. The government maintained strong protection efforts, with CICESCTs immediate response team providing robust assistance to victims throughout the year. Travel advice and advisories for Honduras 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. Sources indicate that organized criminal organizations have been . Due to the lack of enforcement of traffic laws, travelers should make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively. 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. Union leaders and labor activists in both the public and private sector face harassment, dismissal, and violence for their activities. Land title procedures have been an issue leading to investment disputes involving U.S. nationals who are landowners. These penalties were sufficiently stringent. 0. Crimes against U.S. citizens in the past year have ranged from petty theft to violent offenses, including armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, and several instances of murder and attempted murder. 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 . 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. Among the 45 Cuban medical professionals the government contracted to assist during the pandemic, some may have been forced to work by the Cuban government. 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. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. DOS: Northern Triangle Country Conditions: Ranking the Highest and Lowest Areas of Reported, Homicides, Disappearances, and Extortion - May 2019. CountryReports 1997 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. 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. Medical care is limited. Traffickers exploit Honduran women and children in sex trafficking within the country and in other countries such as Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. 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. These deaths included several in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba involving U.S. citizens murdered shortly after arriving in the country. 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. Review the State Departments webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. 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. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. San Pedro Sula is not a safe place to travel, with a high crime rate. 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. . Two U.S. citizens reported incidents of rape or sexual assault between January and September 2013. Useful Information. 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. Yes, despite all the historical crime and violence, which don't affect tourists, El Salvador is safe to visit in 2023. Crime in Roatan, Honduras. 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 U.S. organizations and citizens report corruption in the public sector and the judiciary is a significant constraint to investment in Honduras. 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. 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). 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 declares state of emergency against gang crime 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. 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. The country does not appear to be a terrorist safe haven. Copyright 2023 United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Is San Pedro Sula Safe for Travel in 2023? African Jacana 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. A significant percentage of vehicles are in disrepair, underpowered, beyond their lifecycle, and would not meet U.S. road safety standards. This team continued to operate during the pandemic despite restrictions on movement and inadequate funding for personal protective equipment. U.S. Citizen Murdered in Roatan | Cruise Law News This helps keep everyone in poverty. Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. Weapons abound in Honduras, and armed street robberies are especially common, with criminals taking advantage of relatively isolated victims to steal their valuables. 0. 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 did not provide an update on its investigation of alleged sexual exploitation of a female prisoner in a correctional facility from the previous year. Civil society continues to advocate for this law to be passed and the United Nations has joined in these efforts. 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. 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. Honduras: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House . 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. Overall corruption helped facilitate trafficking crimes. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. Most often, pickpocketing and theft of bags and wallets occur here. Honduras is far more deadly than even the most violent U.S. cities. CICESCT and the anti-trafficking prosecution unit each operated trafficking-specific hotlines that functioned throughout the pandemic. Violent crime is a serious issue in the entire country, with crimes such as kidnappings, rape, assaults, and murders. Honduras is a destination for child sex tourists from Canada and the United States. Honduras remains deeply polarised. 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. Honduras in Crisis: Organized Crime Devastates Latin American Community
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