GE.20-01685 (E) 300320 010420
Human Rights Council
Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Thirty-sixth session
4–15 May 2020
National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21*
Honduras
* The present document has been reproduced as received. Its content does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations.
A
/HRC/WG.6/36/HND/1General Assembly
Distr.: General 5 February 2020 EnglishOriginal: Spanish
Contents
Page
I. Methodology for the preparation of the report ... 3
II. National system for the protection of human rights ... 3
III. Follow-up to recommendations arising from the second cycle of the universal period review .... 4
IV. Progress in the promotion and protection of rights ... 5
V. Promotion and protection of vulnerable groups ... 11
VI. Achievements, best practices and challenges ... 20
VII. Technical assistance expectations ... 20
I. Methodology for the preparation of the report
1. The present report describes the progress made by the State of Honduras with respect to human rights in the context of the third cycle of the universal periodic review.
The report was prepared with input from the Special Response Group on Human Rights, which is comprised of the institutional teams responsible for giving follow-up to international recommendations and providing information to the Honduran System for the Monitoring of Recommendations.1
2. The Ministry of Human Rights2 held five workshops for the preparation of the report. It organized training on human rights for State officials with a view to strengthening the Special Response Group. A total of 10 civil society organizations participated in workshops.
II. National system for the protection of human rights
3. The activities of the Office of the National Commissioner for Human Rights are guided by the action plan for 2014–2020, which is entitled Vanguardia de la Dignidad Humana (“At the Forefront of Human Dignity”), and by the strategy for local social transformation, which is designed to promote solidarity and well-being at the municipal level.3 The Office has an enhanced presence in the communities and territories through its regional and departmental branches. Its mobile ombudsman service has made 266 visits in 77 municipalities, where 255 activities have been conducted to promote human rights, deal with complaints and provide guidance. Between 2015 and 2019, the Office’s budget increased by 29 per cent. It is also noteworthy that, in 2019, the Office was granted category A status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
4. In 2019, the National Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment4 was given greater autonomy and its budget was increased by 81 per cent. There are currently 10 local boards that carry out aspects of the Committee’s mandate in detention facilities. In addition, under the applicable legislation, a civil society representative was elected and is currently in post.
5. In 2017, the Ministry of Human Rights5 was established, with a mandate to advise the government and other relevant institutions on their efforts to comply with national and international human rights obligations and responsibilities and to coordinate related activities. The Ministry’s work is focused on two main areas, namely promotion of human rights and protection of human rights, for each of which a technical directorates was put in place.
6. The legislative branch has the Commission on Justice and Human Rights and the judicial branch has the Department of International Relations and Human Rights.
7. The Public Prosecution Service has an Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights and an Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators and Justice Officials.6
8. Between 2015 and 2019, with the aim of upholding, protecting and promoting human rights, the State approved a number of treaties, laws, regulations and public policy measures, including:
(a) Civil and political rights:7 creation of new criminal courts;8 creation of the Judicial Commission on Access to Justice;9 amendment of the Code of Criminal Procedure with regard to individual electronic monitoring and virtual hearings;10 creation of the National Electoral Council and the Electoral Court;11 establishment of a number of Special Prosecutor’s Offices12 and investigation units;13 reform of the National Police;14 ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty;15 Act on the Control of Firearms, Munitions, Explosives and Related Items;16 amendment of the Responsible Parenting Act and the accompanying regulations;17 creation of the National Institute for Juvenile Offenders;18 creation of an inter- agency commission to monitor investigations of violent deaths of women and cases of femicide;19 and regulations for the implementation of the principle of parity and a
mechanism whereby male and female candidates must appear in alternating positions on electoral lists;20
(b) Economic, social, cultural and environmental rights:21 ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights22 and conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between Honduras and the Republic of Korea;23 Labour Inspectorate Act;24 School Meals Act;25 Act on Debt Relief for Workers;26
(c) The executive has adopted other measures such as the creation of the National Commission for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related inter-agency technical committee;27 the National Sustainable Development Goals Agenda;28 the setting of national policies on employment and credit;29 the Public Policy against Racism and Racial Discrimination for the Comprehensive Development of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples;30 the Public Policy on Inclusive Education;31 the Strategic Plan on Education 2017–2030; the Integrated System for the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Honduras;32 and the National Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses Service.33
III. Follow-up to recommendations arising from the second cycle of the universal period review34
9. The recommendations arising from the universal periodic review are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2013–2022 and the Government’s various public policies, plans and programmes. 10. Of the 152 recommendations, action is being taken on 101, relating to the protection of women, migrants, human rights defenders and public safety. Action has already been taken on another 34 recommendations, relating to human rights defenders, journalists, social communicators and justice officials. Action is pending on the remaining 17 recommendations, most of which relate to the ratification of optional protocols to international treaties.
11. At the request of the Government, a country office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was set up in 2016. Work has been done jointly to consolidate the National System for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, evaluate the institutional capacity of the Office of the National Commissioner for Human Rights, incorporate international standards into the new Criminal Code, provide capacity-building for justice officials and security forces with regard to a range of human rights issues and embed a human rights approach in the National Sustainable Development Goals Agenda.
12. On 10 December 2018, the Ministry of Human Rights and OHCHR signed a letter of agreement to set up five working groups on public policies, human rights education, legislative harmonization, human rights defenders and persons displaced by violence. So far, 9 outputs have been achieved in full and work on the 22 others is ongoing.
13. Honduras collaborates extensively with the special procedures of the United Nations. During the period under consideration, five special rapporteurs and two working groups have visited Honduras.35 Since the Ministry of Human Rights was established, 26 thematic reports have been prepared. In addition, all reports to treaty bodies, including six follow-up reports, have been submitted in a timely manner, and nine dialogues have been held with treaty bodies.
14. In August 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights conducted an on-site visit to Honduras. Among the progress made in complying with the recommendations, in November 2019 the Commission and the Government of Honduras publicly launched the Special Technical Advisory Board. The Board will provide the Government with technical assistance in areas including human rights defenders, children, women, indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. At the regional level, the State has participated in more than eight sessions of the Commission.
15. On 31 May 2018, Honduras requested technical assistance from the United Nations Working Group on business and human rights to explore the possibility of developing a national action plan on business and human rights. In partnership with OHCHR, 14 training
workshops on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were held for more than 685 people from all relevant sectors. In August 2019, the Working Group conducted a visit to Honduras at the invitation of the Government.
16. It is important that Honduras take the necessary steps to develop a national action plan on business and human rights, and with the particular care that such an effort requires.
With that in mind, the authorities have engaged in preparatory work and ongoing, open dialogue in a multi-stakeholder forum with the Honduran Private Enterprise Council, the National Autonomous University of Honduras, human rights organizations and technical advisers from the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
17. Recently, following technical assistance from the Ministry of Human Rights, the Honduran Private Enterprise Council approved the Institutional Policy on Business and Human Rights.
IV. Progress in the promotion and protection of rights
A. Access to justice36
18. The selection process for Supreme Court justices for the 2016 –2023 term of office was conducted in accordance with the mechanism established in the Constitution.37 The process involved the participation of civil society organizations38 and public hearings. The results were submitted to the National Congress, the votes of two thirds of Deputies being required for candidates to be elected.
19. The judiciary developed the Institutional Strategic Plan 2017–2021, which sets out actions designed to provide transparent, impartial, modern and effective justice services that promote security and trust for the people of Honduras. The Plan is divided into five strategic areas.39 In addition, the relevant budget has been increased by 44 per cent between 2015 and 2020.
20. In order to guarantee access to justice, there are 424 magistrate’s courts, courts of first instance and mobile courts and 17 appeal courts in 18 departments. To implement the Brasilia Regulations Regarding Access to Justice for Vulnerable People, the Judicial Commission on Access to Justice was created in 2017.40 The National System of Judicial Facilitators has 2,334 facilitators and conducted 78,424 activities nationwide between 2013 and 2018.41
21. Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 8,978 judicial officials and 1,800 members of the National System of Judicial Facilitators were trained by the Judicial Training College, including on human rights issues.
22. With regard to disciplinary proceedings in respect of judges, in 2018 96 ex officio investigations were initiated into alleged non-compliance with the procedures and regulations governing judicial officials. The sanctions imposed ranged from written warnings and fines to dismissals.
23. In 2018, the Public Defence Service provided free legal assistance in 9,098 cases of children in conflict with the law and 2,101 civil, family and domestic violence cases, benefiting 23,466 people.
24. The judicial branch, with assistance from the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, developed protocols for the appointment of judges, which have been used for recruitment. Regional justice centres have also been strengthened, with a focus on alternative dispute resolution methods.
25. A number of campaigns have been conducted, including the 2018 “Score a Goal against Machismo” campaign, which was designed to promote new perspectives on masculinity and eradicate harmful practices against women, and the 2019 “We Defend You Because It’s Your Right” campaign, which was designed to guarantee the right to a defence for persons being prosecuted.
26. The Public Prosecution Service is implementing its Institutional Strategic Plan 2015–202042 with the aim of changing organizational culture and making management more effective and professional. There are 938 prosecutors and 322 criminal investigation technicians around the country. To ensure due diligence in investigations and public prosecutions of criminal cases, the Service’s budget has increased by 81 per cent since 2015.
27. The Public Prosecution Service created the Special Prosecution Unit to Combat Impunity for Corruption43 and submitted 11 applications for prosecution, including 4 high- profile cases, in respect of 72 public officials and 32 other individuals.
28. The Training College of the Public Prosecution Service has provided human rights training for 286 justice officials. The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Human Rights has trained 2,254 justice officials.
29. In 2018, with assistance from the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, the Judicial Training College and the Training College of the Public Prosecution Service provided training to 143 prosecutors, investigators and analysts from the Special Prosecution Unit to Combat Impunity for Corruption, as well as judges with the competence to hear corruption cases.
30. In 2017, the Office of the Under-Secretary for Justice was created within the Ministry of the Interior, Justice and Decentralization with the aim of promoting a culture of compliance with the law, consolidating the range of justice services available, bringing justice closer to the people and facilitating access to justice, especially for the most vulnerable persons, in order to uphold their rights. At the local level, five conflict resolution centres were created, and 95 per cent of the cases submitted have been resolved.
B. Public safety44
31. In the sphere of public safety, Honduras is focusing its efforts on three areas, namely preventing crime by reclaiming public spaces, combating crime and all forms of violence and providing professional and technical training for police officers and human rights training, as set out in the Violence Prevention Policy and the Comprehensive Policy on Harmonious Social Relations and Public Safety 2011–2022.
32. Violence prevention activities have strengthened the capacity of 65 youth outreach centres around the country in terms of creative use of free time, employment training and school support. With the assistance of local partners, community leaders and 1,300 volunteers, 35,000 children and adolescents have received support.
33. As part of the “Parks for a Better Life” programme, public spaces have been reclaimed and 100 parks have been created in 17 departments.45 These spaces have a focus on social inclusion. Approximately 14 per cent of park visitors are older persons, and 80 per cent of the parks are accessible for persons with disabilities and have play equipment suitable for children with disabilities.46
34. Under the Safer Municipalities programme, the Local Councils for Harmonious Social Relations and Public Safety were strengthened in the 30 municipalities with the highest crime rates. Projects were set up to prevent situational and social violence, and Harmonious Social Relations and Public Safety Plans were approved.
35. These policies and strategies are strengthened through initiatives such as GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training),47 which is designed to prevent juvenile crime, violence and membership of gangs. As of 2019, there are 235 instructors working in 39 teams around the country. Training has been provided to 487,905 children and adolescents and at 2,048 education centres. In addition, initiatives such as “Young Honduras”, “My Neighbourhood” and “Second Chance” provided seed capital and training for young persons, with support from the Tegucigalpa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
36. As part of the fight against organized crime and all forms of violence, the authorities have engaged in efforts to tackle the drug trafficking cartels operating in the western and Atlantic areas of the country. As a result of land, air and naval operations, between 2018
and 2019, 445 individuals were arrested for unlawful possession of weapons and more than 1,340 for drug trafficking. In addition, 3,361 kilograms of cocaine, 28,267 pounds of marijuana, 529,000 marijuana plants, 2,877 grams of crack cocaine and 5,852 cocaine rocks were seized.
37. As of 2018, the Public Prosecution Service seized cash and property valued at 1.182 million lempiras (L) in the fight against drug trafficking, corruption and gangs.
38. In compliance with the general principle of international law of aut dedere aut judicare, 18 individuals have been extradited to the United States of America in connection with drug trafficking offences.
39. The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Offences against Life has been strengthened and trained personnel has been hired to work in the unit responsible for investigating high- profile deaths. The unit employs 35 prosecutors, as well as 14 investigative agents in Tegucigalpa and 12 in San Pedro Sula.
40. With regard to technical professional training for police officers and human rights training, under the plan for strengthening the National Police, by 2022 there will be a minimum of 26,183 police officers. The training programme for new police officers has been extended from 3 to 11 months, plus 1 month of work experience. During the period under consideration, approximately 9,823 police officers have been trained in new skills, compared to 2,373 between 2010 and 2014.48 International cooperation agencies provided support for all of these activities.
41. In addition, the National Police has an in-service training model under which 11,099 police officers and 1,091 other officials have received training since 2015 in human rights, the use of force, conflict resolution and non-discrimination.
42. As part of the Honduras component of the Public Safety Project in the Northern Triangle of Central America, 30 officials and 200 police officers were trained as trainers for the national community policing model.
43. Between 2015 and 2019, the Ministry of Human Rights provided training on human rights, prevention of torture and the use of force to 25,087 members of the Armed Forces and the Public Order Unit of the Military Police. In addition, the human rights training curriculum has been updated.
44. As part of the overall process to strengthen the National Police, 3,077 agents and officials were removed from their posts as a result of a purge ordered by the Government.
With the strengthening of the National Police, the Armed Forces will reduce their involvement in public safety activities in the medium and long term, in line with the reduction of levels of violence seen in the various municipalities.
45. The State focused its efforts on the creation of new infrastructure, including the construction of the Police Institute, two new scientific research laboratories for the National Police and police stations, thanks to an increase of 70 per cent in the national security budget between 2015 and 2020.
C. Freedom of expression49
46. Offences against freedom of expression are included in the guidelines accompanying the general investigation protocol of the Public Prosecution Service.50 Manuals have been developed for officials responsible for investigating and trying these cases, and training has been provided to prosecutors, judges, police and officials in other sectors.
47. As of December 2018, 42 investigations of freedom of expression offences had been registered in Honduras. Of those, 25 cases had gone to trial, resulting in 9 convictions and 6 acquittals.
48. During 2019, the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators and Justice Officials registered 28 complaints of violations of the right to freedom of expression, 21 of which are being investigated.
49. In connection with the policy on access to public information,51 the Public Information Institute trained 10,927 persons to promote the right to information. Honduras also joined the International Anti-Corruption Academy on 5 December 2018.
50. In order to promote the Open Government Partnership 2018–2020, the role of civil society organizations, the private sector and academia play a significant role in monitoring compliance with the Government’s commitments.52
D. Truth and Reconciliation Commission53
51. The 84 recommendations and the related monitoring activities have been incorporated into the National Human Rights Action Plan that is in place until 2022. The recommendations provided a starting point for the working group on human rights, which was set up as part of the political dialogue initiative launched after the 2017 elections. The 169 agreements that resulted from the dialogue were sent to the National Congress.
E. Promoting economic growth and decent work54
52. The economic and social development of Honduras is promoted through the Vision for the Country 2010–2038, the Plan for the Nation 2010–2022 and the Strategic Government Plan 2018–2022. These plans, which are designed to improve the lives of all Hondurans, incorporate human rights in a cross-cutting manner in all efforts to support vulnerable population groups.55
53. To guarantee the right to work, the actions taken within the framework of the 2017 National Employment Policy were focused on boosting job creation and developing human capital through programmes including “Honduras 20/20”, “Life is Better with a Job”,
“Green Code”, “Digital Job Listings”, community work initiatives and employment initiatives aimed at young people. A total of 229,618 jobs were created between 2016 and 2019.
54. Since 2018, more than 32,268 inspections have been carried out and the number of infringements addressed have increased by 81 per cent, benefiting 433,304 workers.56 55. The National Financial Inclusion Strategy focuses on workers, micro- and small traders, entrepreneurs, small-scale agricultural producers and recipients of remittances and conditional transfers. Priority is given to vulnerable groups such as women and indigenous and Afro-Honduran persons.
56. The social economy is promoted by providing credit and technical assistance to micro-entrepreneurs through the Presidential Programme for Solidarity Credit. In 2019, L 1.5 billion was invested through the distribution of 172,000 credits to small-scale entrepreneurs.
57. Through the Dry Corridor Partnership and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Special Programme for Food and Nutritional Security was established. The Programme has generated development opportunities for 13,139 rural producers through the creation of 10 new farming technologies.
58. In order to promote microenterprise and self-management as a way to help participants exit the Better Life voucher scheme, 21,495 mothers who are heads of household and 2,991 ninth-grade graduates were given loans between 2015 and 2019.
F. Social protection57
59. The Government of Honduras, through the Social Protection Framework Act and the Social Protection Policy, implements plans and programmes that constitute the social protection floor.58 The National Centre for Information on the Social Sector is responsible for registering beneficiaries, with a view to ensuring that the Social Protection Policy is properly coordinated and targeted.
60. Measures such as the Better Life Platform have been adopted to create equal opportunities and improve people’s lives. As part of the Platform initiative, between 2015 and 2019, 4.8 million people received support in the areas of basic foodstuffs, access to health care, promotion of school enrolment, school attendance and retention, and creation of opportunities and skills improvement to boost participation in the labour market and financial inclusion. Of the beneficiaries, 62 per cent are female and 38 per cent are male, 64 per cent are children and approximately 10 per cent identify as indigenous or Afro- Honduran.
61. In order to ensure adequate housing conditions, 591,000 people have been provided with 605,000 benefits including 216,000 eco-friendly stoves designed to eliminate certain health problems, mainly among women, 72,000 water reservoirs, 47,000 water filters and 61,000 latrines to ensure access to safe water and sanitation, 173,000 hygienic floors and 34,000 roofs to prevent respiratory, intestinal and vector-borne diseases, and 3,000 homes.
62. The National Commission on Housing and Human Settlements launched social housing programmes and improved access to housing for families living in poverty by providing 246,478 housing units, in three different configurations, and 21,300 housing bonds.59
63. Under the Better Life conditional cash transfer scheme, the cycle of intergenerational poverty60 is being broken by making the Government and beneficiary families jointly responsible for keeping school-age children in the education system and ensuring that children under 5 years of age receive check-ups in line with the Health Protocol. Between 2014 and 2017, 1,903,690 grants have been made available from national and external funds.61
64. The impact assessment of the Better Life conditional cash transfer scheme found that, in the 2016–2017 period, child malnutrition had decreased by 26 per cent and school enrolment and attendance had increased by 5 per cent. It also found that, using the poverty threshold method, there had been a reduction of 4.3 per cent and 8.2 per cent in the dimensions evaluated in the Multidimensional Poverty Index in respect of persons in receipt of the cash transfers.
G. Inclusive, high-quality education62
65. In order to guarantee universal access to education, the Basic Education Act and the Strategic Plan for the Education Sector provide for free education from 5 years of age until secondary level, extending the average length of time spent in education from 9 to 13 years.
The Ministry of Education saw its budget increase by 21 per cent between 2016 and 2019, thus providing it with the human and financial resources needed to meet the educational needs of the population.
66. In 2019, 1,964,000 children and adolescents were enrolled in the education system.
The Ministry operates a number of programmes to promote inclusion, home schooling, radio-based learning, community education and special programmes for gifted and talented students. In addition, there are inclusion programmes focused on the development of life skills, including the high school certificate in agribusiness and entrepreneurship projects in secondary schools.
67. To prevent school dropout and uphold the right to adequate food,63 1,300,915 students in the public education system received regular healthy meals. Some 300,000 schoolchildren in vulnerable areas such as the Dry Corridor and La Mosquitia received additional food.
68. A Technical Commission was created to monitor the application of the Intercultural Bilingual Education Model,64 including critical pathways, with support from indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples and other relevant sectors of society.65 As of 2019, there are 2,955 teachers. Between 2015 and 2019, enrolment increased by 40 per cent, to 90,690 students in 919 schools. In order to provide support and help strengthen the Model, the Government established a national council and 15 departmental committees, in which nine organizations of indigenous and Afro-Honduran persons participate.
69. In compliance with the Public Policy on Inclusive Education, an accessibility assessment was carried out in 9,285 educational centres around the country. In total, eight agreements were signed, and budgets were allocated to institutions providing care for children and adolescents with disabilities. In addition, teachers from 22 educational centres were trained in dealing with persons with disabilities.66
70. To uphold the right to education for girls who are pregnant or have children, and to help keep them in school, the Multisectoral Plan for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy provides for such girls to participate fully in school.67 Under the “Thousands of Hands”
programme, 45,000 young persons received instruction on reproductive and sexual health and pregnancy prevention.68 In addition, 14,000 teachers were trained to use comprehensive sex education guides, and an online platform was set up to train teachers to provide comprehensive sex education.69
71. To enable young people to gain access to higher education and professional development opportunities, in 2019 the Honduras 20/20 Presidential Scholarship Programme provided assistance amounting to more than L 307 million70 to 16,000 university scholars and 880 graduate students at universities abroad.71
72. As an alternative for young persons not wishing to continue with formal secondary education, between 2017 and October 2019, the National Institute for Vocational Training trained 139,598 individuals aged between 14 and 19 years. Of these, 53 per cent were women and girls taking technical and vocational courses. Through this initiative, demand for vocational training is being met and public-private partnerships and tripartite participation have been strengthened. From 2016 to 2019, 335,046 young persons aged between 20 and 29 years, 51 per cent of them women, took courses in tourism, commerce and services, industry and agriculture.
73. In line with the national training plan for volunteer and technical instructors drafted by the National Commission for the Development of Alternatives to Formal Education, in 2017, in partnership with national public institutions, private development entities and municipal corporations, 40,194 young persons and adults joined education, literacy, basic needs, community development and social development programmes.72
74. The Ministry of Human Rights has provided support to the National Commission in reviewing and updating the training programmes of human rights education initiatives provided by civil society organizations.
H. Healthy living73
75. In order to guarantee the right to health and reduce exclusion from health services, the State is implementing the new National Health Policy, with a priority focus on pregnant women, children under the age of 5 years, older persons, infectious, vector-borne and non- communicable diseases and morbidity in general.
76. As part of the process of transforming the national health system in order to guarantee access to health services and universal coverage and to incorporate a human rights approach, a health sector workplan for 2019–2022 was approved. The plan sets out short-term impact initiatives, as well as measures to ensure the supply of medicines and medical and surgical materials, reduce waiting times for operations and deal with epidemics. There are currently a total of 1,652 health facilities, namely 8 national hospitals, 6 regional hospitals, 17 local hospitals, 447 doctor-led health centres, 1,097 nurse-led health centres, 74 maternity and child clinics and 3 satellite clinics.74 Between 2016 and 2019, the budget of the Ministry of Health increased by 27 per cent.
77. As part of the strategy for 2018–2022, a number of chronic diseases have been made a priority focus, namely diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, uterine cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer and chronic kidney disease, owing to their high morbidity and mortality rates. In 2019, approximately 11,778 persons were reported to have received antiretroviral treatment.
78. In 2018, approval was given for a programme designed to improve the management, quality and responsiveness of maternity and neonatal care.
79. The Salud Mesoamérica Initiative is being implemented to improve the coverage and quality of maternity care, health care for children and nutrition and services for women of childbearing age, as well as access to such services, among the target groups in the poorest municipalities. Data for 2019 showed that the number of hospital births had increased by 80 per cent. In addition, 94 per cent of women with obstetric complications received treatment that met the latest standards, 79 per cent of treatment for complications were carried out according to hospital standards and 55 per cent of newborns received neonatal care within the first three days of life.
80. The Government and the Inter-American Development Bank signed several agreements for the expansion of three hospitals and the construction of a trauma hospital to increase capacity to treat moderate and severe injuries, as well as to improve the quality of care for patients who sustain injuries in accidents.
81. The national vaccination programme includes 20 vaccines that are administered at different life stages, to children and adolescents, young persons, pregnant women, older persons and at-risk groups of all ages. In May 2019, a National Vaccination and Deworming Day was held, and 315,477 persons of all ages were vaccinated. A total of 1,532,831 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine were administered. During the five-year period under consideration, vaccination coverage among children and adolescents has reached 90 per cent.
82. In 2019, funding of more than L 400 million was provided. There have been no vaccine shortages for a decade. The Government’s efforts in this area have helped to reduce the incidence and mortality rate of vaccine-preventable disease. Diphtheria, poliomyelitis, measles, congenital rubella syndrome and rubella have been eradicated.
83. Medicines are purchased with funding from the Pan American Health Organization Strategic Fund; 84 per cent of national requirements for medicines and surgical supplies is thus met.
84. The Ministry of Health has developed guidelines for sentinel surveillance and control of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in men who have sex with men and in transgender persons and sex workers.
V. Promotion and protection of vulnerable groups
A. Children75
85. In 2019, the Integrated System for the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Honduras was created as a holistic approach to upholding the rights of children and adolescents. The System applies a multisectoral model to prevention, promotion, protection, guarantees and reparations in relation to the rights of children and adolescents,76 and is comprised of coordinating bodies at the three territorial levels, namely 140 municipal committees tasked with upholding the rights of children, 3 departmental committees and 1 national committee,77 as well as specific mechanisms for the participation of civil society organizations working on children’s issues and institutions of the three branches of government.
86. In order to guarantee the protection of children’s rights, and with a view to preventing institutionalization, in 2018 the National Directorate for Children, Adolescents and Families conducted a survey of centres providing permanent residential care for children and identified 354 organizations caring for 7,612 children and adolescents. The survey was the first stage in the process of certifying the centres, with a view to converting them into temporary family shelters.
87. The Directorate’s budget increased by 59 per cent between 2015 and 2020. In addition, coordination activities were conducted with other institutions and organizations involved in the protection of children and adolescents.
88. Within the framework of the public policy on comprehensive early childhood development,78 the directorate responsible for executing the “Parenting with Love” strategy within the Ministry of Social Development and Inclusion works with families in the most underprivileged areas of the country, based on the “Parenting with Love” guide. In 2019, 92,289 families received support.
89. The Office of the First Lady and the National Directorate for Children, Adolescents and Families launched a 100-day child protection campaign designed to prevent violence, provide alternatives for street children and reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy. The campaign involved the broadcast of radio and television advertisements, as well as outreach activities conducted in schools and on the streets by the municipal committees tasked with upholding the rights of children.
90. With regard to the right to a name and nationality, two campaigns were conducted, one designed to foster a sense of belonging and identity and one aimed at promoting school enrolment. Outreach activities on the importance of civil registration were conducted with schools and national civil society organizations.
91. In 2018, five new branches of the National Registry Office were opened, making it possible to expand registration services. Registrations rose by 20 per cent as a result. In addition, four new help desks were set up at a number of hospitals. Between 2016 and 2018, the 18 help desks reported 85,900 registrations.79 A total of 561,000 birth registrations were recorded during the same period.
92. With regard to adolescents in conflict with the law, the National Institute for Juvenile Offenders was created in 2016 with a mandate to manage the specialized justice system. A total of 350 children are under the care of the Institute in juvenile detention centres. The children receive support through four programmes dealing with prevention, rehabilitation and social reintegration, alternative measures to detention, formal and informal education and health and well-being.
93. Under the education programme, formal education opportunities and informal arts and crafts classes are available. By 2019, 75 per cent of the children and adolescents in juvenile detention centres were enrolled in formal education programmes.
94. Under the health programme, medical and health-care services are provided at the centres, including comprehensive and follow-up care and dental, psychological, psychiatric and social assistance services. In 2019, the children and adolescents in the centres each used the medical services an average of three times per month.
95. Since its establishment, the National Institute for Juvenile Offenders has reduced the number of children and adolescents in detention by 17 per cent, with 1,344 individuals benefiting from alternative measures.
96. Every year, the National Directorate for Children, Adolescents and Families monitors 116 children and adolescents in detention centres who have been victims of gangs.
The Directorate conducts quarterly visits to centres to ensure that rehabilitation and reintegration programmes are being operated in line with international standards.
B. Women80
97. Regarding women’s rights, the National Institute for Women is implementing the National Policy on Women and the Second Gender Equality and Equity Plan 2010–2022.
The Policy and the Plan are promoted and monitored by the Gender Units and the municipal offices for women. The Institute’s budget rose by 88 per cent between 2015 and 2020.
98. In order to incorporate a gender perspective in public administration policies, plans and budgets, new articles in the general provisions of the budget instruct institutions to identify specific actions and resources to close gaps and address inequality between men and women.
99. The Cities for Women programme81 contributes to violence prevention, victim support and the development of skills to achieve autonomy and improve living conditions through the provision of comprehensive services focusing on financial independence, sexual and reproductive health, protection of the rights of women and adolescent girls, community education and children. The programme, which was elevated to the rank of State Policy,82 operates five centres located in the main cities, as well as a mobile unit.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Cities for Women centres provided 379,550 services to 325,272 women.
100. In order to address the multiple forms of violence against women, in 2018 the National Institute for Women conducted a local and cross-border survey of risks and protective factors relating to violence against women, human trafficking and femicide, with a view to launching political advocacy initiatives and institutionalizing public policies on preventing violence against women and girls.
101. In order to strengthen the capacities of health facilities, the Ministry of Health prepared a manual on providing comprehensive care for women who are victims or survivors of gender-based violence. The manual sets out the steps to be followed by health professionals in caring for such women, including with respect to legal services.
102. To prevent violence and to protect women from it, there are seven shelters in the main cities which provide psychosocial and legal assistance to women who are victims of violence. Four of the shelters are funded by municipalities; the remaining three are self- funded. The National Institute for Women also provides financial support to two of the shelters.
103. One of the tasks of the joint services of the 911 National Emergency System is to receive complaints of violence against women83 and direct them to the relevant victim- response services. In 2019, reports of domestic violence rose by 52 per cent, demonstrating a shift in the culture surrounding the reporting of violence against women.
104. In the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Public Prosecution Service, 18 specialized comprehensive support units were set up. Between 2016 and September 2019, the units received 11,541 complaints of domestic violence. Currently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Women has 73 prosecutors at the national level.
105. The special domestic violence courts, through the specialized comprehensive support units, imposed safety measures to protect women who have been victims of violence. Between 2016 and 2018, the special courts handed down 21,742 final judgments against perpetrators of domestic violence. In areas where there are no special courts, magistrates’ courts are responsible for hearing domestic violence cases.
106. The Honduran Inter-Agency Commission for the Prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons approved the 2016–2022 Strategic Plan to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons. The Plan is designed to prevent, investigate and punish trafficking in persons and ensure the provision of comprehensive care and protection for victims. A protocol has been developed for the rapid response team responsible for providing support to victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons in Honduras.84 The regulations to accompany the Trafficking Act have also been drafted.
107. In 2018, the Inter-Agency Commission provided assistance to 302 victims, 85 of whom were new referrals. Of the remainder, 133 received follow-up support and 84 completed their rehabilitation process. Microcredit was extended to 27 victims, and 75 victims enrolled in formal or non-formal education programmes. Approximately 20,000 instances of psychological, social, legal and medical support, education, vocational training and assistance with documentation, asylum, housing and addiction treatment were provided to victims. In 2018 and 2019, the Commission also provided assistance with the rescue of 37 victims and the repatriation of 23 victims.
108. To date, the Commission has set up 24 local committees around the country and has conducted eight awareness-raising campaigns to reach some 250,000 people. It has also trained more than 17,681 individuals and obtained commitments to the Code of Conduct against Trafficking from 298 companies.85
109. In 2018 and 2019, thanks to the efforts of the unit within the Public Prosecution Service that is responsible for tackling trafficking in persons, commercial sexual exploitation and people smuggling, 41 individuals were sentenced for trafficking and sexual exploitation and 14 were sentenced for people smuggling. In 2018, 23 alleged traffickers were prosecuted, while in 2019, criminal proceedings were instituted against 41 persons accused of trafficking and 26 persons accused of people smuggling.
110. To improve accountability and coordination among institutions, in 2018 an inter- agency commission was established to monitor investigations of violent deaths of women and cases of femicide. Designed to provide a forum for dialogue with civil society organizations working to prevent femicide, the commission has issued its regulations, set up a data-recording system and allocated L 40 million to the unit responsible for investigating violent deaths of women and femicide, which is part of the Technical Investigation Agency.
111. Between 2014 and 2018, the murder rate among women decreased gradually from 14.6 to 8.3, a reduction of 40 per cent since 2013.86
112. With regard to the right to sexual and reproductive health, within the framework of the Multisectoral Plan for the Prevention of Pregnancy, the Ministry of Health, the Office of the First Lady, the United Nations Population Fund and Canada established the
“Adolescent-Friendly Health Services” initiative, which provides services to 300,000 adolescents. There are 91 adolescent-friendly health centres in 17 departments, as well as 58 comprehensive care clinics for adolescents and 8 community youth committees.
113. The Ministry of Education has certified 22,750 teachers and provided guidance to 17,672 students in 1,055 primary and secondary schools with regard to protecting one’s own health and life, sex education for parents and the Ministry’s comprehensive approach to sexual harassment, aggression and rape.
114. More than 60,000 young persons between 12 and 18 years of age received support as part of the “Families Supporting Adolescent Dreams” programme. The methodology developed by the Centro de Prevención de la Violencia (Violence Prevention Centre)87 was used in conversations with more than 170,000 children and their parents and teachers.
115. In the area of women’s effective political participation, following the elections held in 2017, 79 of the 128 deputies and their alternates (or 28 deputies and 51 alternates) in the National Congress are women. At the local level, 22 mayors, 266 deputy mayors and 628 councillors are women. The plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice is made up of 15 justices, 5 of whom are women. In the executive branch, two of the three presidential appointees in the Office of the President are women.
116. There are currently 201,439 civil servants, 51 per cent of whom are women. Sixty- three per cent of the 26,016 civil servants who work for the executive branch are women.
Women hold 298 decision-making positions.
C. Indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples88
117. The Public Policy against Racism and Racial Discrimination for the Comprehensive Development of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples covers six areas, namely social and political participation, the right to education, health, access to resources, the right to land and territory and access to formal and community justice. The action plan for the implementation of the Policy was developed following a broad participatory process of nationwide consultation conducted by the Directorate for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples with more than 500 representatives of the nine indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples.
118. With the aim of establishing a framework for the inclusive participation of indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples, the Ministry of General Government Coordination coordinated efforts to promote the plan, adopted in 2016, in connection with the development partnership for La Mosquitia. A letter of intent was signed by the State, local governments in Gracias a Dios, civil society organizations representing indigenous and
Afro-Honduran peoples and aid partners.89 The development partnership facilitates cooperation and the coordination of efforts relating to priority areas and issues to improve the situation of the peoples of the area.
119. Within the framework of the development partnership, the Territorial Governance Platform was set up, with working groups on justice and governance, economic development and the use of natural resources, and social development and basic infrastructure, with a focus on titling, distribution and regulation of land in the region.
120. With respect to access to land and resources, in 2019 the Inter-Agency Subcommission for the titling, expansion, distribution and protection of the land and natural resources of La Mosquitia was created within the framework of the development partnership. Previously, the National Agrarian Institute had granted title deeds to more than 25,000 families from 12 Miskito Territorial Councils in respect of a total of 1,114,976.24 hectares of land. Between 2015 and 2019, the Forest Conservation Institute also granted 10 title deeds to 2,800 families in respect of a total of more than 371,166 hectares of land.
121. In the area of economic development and use of resources, the development partnership, through the La Mosquitia Business Development Centres, provided 1,000 consultancy services to 457 small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, 38 new ventures were launched, by 22 men and 16 women, and as a result 3,000 jobs were protected and 184 created, for 100 men and 84 women, during 2018 and 2019.
122. As part of the Prawanka project in La Mosquitia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock provided L 4.164 million in the form of technical assistance for the development of production chains for staple grains, cocoa and fisheries, benefiting 3,750 families and delivering 2,110 free sacks of rice and bean seeds.
123. In the western region, as part of the PRO-LENCA project, more than 1,000 indigenous persons were provided with a range of resources, and L 54 million was provided for 12 investment and development plans set up for 915 indigenous women.
124. With regard to inclusion and effective participation in politics for indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples, the Act on Political and Electoral Participation contains provisions concerning cooperation with related organizations. In 2017, the Supreme Electoral Court signed a letter of understanding with the Network of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Women concerning women’s participation in electoral processes and training initiatives and their involvement as observers.
125. In the 2017 congressional elections, the number of indigenous and Afro-Honduran deputies increased from 8 to 20. The 9 women and 11 men have formed a cross-party group.
126. The Government conducted a consultation process in the DIUNAT Miskito Territorial Council in Brus Laguna regarding a photovoltaic energy project.90 The Miskito people were consulted regarding the oil exploitation project on the coast of La Mosquitia with the La Mosquitia Territorial Councils, in line with the Biocultural Protocol of the Miskito People.
127. With regard to the draft decree relating to legislation on free, prior and informed consultation, the National Congress is in the process of analysing the technical proposal and schedule of activities that it requested from OHCHR and which were submitted in November 2019.
128. With regard to the registration of indigenous and Afro-Honduran persons, the National Registry Office and the Ministry of Social Development and Inclusion, with support from the United Nations Development Programme, dispatched a mobile team which registered 343 individuals in La Mosquitia. Approximately 1,000 identity cards were issued under the Universal Civil Identity Program in the Americas run by the Organization of American States. The National Registry Office sent teams to areas bordering Northern Triangle countries to conduct birth registration and identification activities.
129. The inter-agency commission responsible for support and prevention activities regarding the issue of underwater fishing organized outreach sessions for Miskito divers to raise awareness of the Safety and Occupational Health Regulations for Underwater
