Honduras

• One of the least developed countries in Central America
• Development context

  GDP per capita was USD$4700;

  Life expectancy at 69 for men and 73 for women;

  MMR was 120 per 100000 live births with IMR was 17.8 per 1000 live births;

  Agriculture makes up 39% of employment.

  85% literacy.
• Political context

  Politically unstable;

  military control 1982;

  since that time the civil authorities of elected governments have failed to control the security forces and deal with human rights abuses;
• Country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch 1998 from which it is only slowly recovering.
• One of the highest murder rates in the world
• Unlawful use of force and corruption by the police
• Killing in rural areas over land disputes often agro-industrial firms pitted against local indigenous organisations over rightful ownership
• Discrimination against indigenous populations
• Gang culture and drug-related violence
• Organised crime which includes trafficking of child labour and child prostitution
• Harassment of and violence against women
• Intimidation, threats and killing of journalists
• Limited access to primary health care
• Limited access to education
• 44% of the population living on under USD$2 a day
• UN in Honduras

  Sent in a Human Rights Adviser;

  aims to strengthen government institutions working in human rights;

  aims to implement the Honduran National Human Rights Action Plan, and to co-ordinate the work of civil society and the Honduran government.
• USA in Honduras

  Key international actor, providing USD$50 million in security aid between 2010 and 2014;

  Continued assistance through the Central American Regional Security Initiative;

  Military and police aid is also available if the Honduran government meets specific human rights stipulations.
• Honduran Government

  Set up a Ministry For Justice and Human Rights, a Ministry for Security and various commissions to reform citizen security and prevent torture;

  uses and relies on NGOs to address issues such as provision of primary health care in rural areas.
• Care International

  Has several projects in Rural Honduras tackling poverty, education, employment opportunity, health care, water provision and food production.
• Opportunities for stability


  Bilateral links with the USA are helping the economy and national security;

  Political stability is being achieved with US support for anti-corruption and free and fair elections;

  Under the Central America Regional Security Initiative, local governance is being strengthened;

  Community-based efforts to prevent crime and gang activity include education for at-risk youths.
• Opportunities for Economic Growth

  The USA, UN and civil society are effectively implementing new food security programmes, promoting economic;

  Diversification and training citizens in emergency response to natural disaster;

  Under the Dominican Republic- Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), small farmers and other enterprises are being assisted to increase their trade opportunities;

  USAID is working in local areas to end poverty.
• Opportunities for Socio-economic development


  40% of the population is under 15;

  Ministry of Education has reformed its policies by decentralising to local authorities in rural and urban areas to meet MDG targets for school enrolment;

  Efforts to improve maternal and child health and nutrition; and to prevent HIV/AIDS are providing opportunities for further development.
• Challenges; inequality

  Rural-urban migration leads to housing shortages as well as problems of water supply and sanitation;

  In both urban and rural areas there remains unequal access to education and health care due to sexism and and discrimination against HIV-positive people.
• Challenges; injustice

  Judges face intimidation;

  The criminal justice system needs modernising with greater protection of human rights;

  Attacks on journalists continue;

  Violence against children continues;

  Discrimination against indigenous population;

  High rates of violence due to cartels and urban gangs.