HONDURAS- impact of global governance on an LIDC

• honduras overview


  central america

  population of 8.8 million

  gdp per capita = $4700

  MMR = 120 / 100,000

  homicide rate = 66 per 100,000
• political factors inhibiting development in honduras

  politically unstable during military control until 1982
• corruption in police force and judicial systems inhibiting honduras development

  police are ineffective, leads to human rights abuses, worsening crime and violence

  2012-13 military police force accused of 9 killings, 20 cases of torture and 30 illegal arrests
• impact of hurricane mitch on honduras in 1998

  set back by 50 years of economic development

  left 20% of population homeless
• human rights abuses in honduras

  police corruption - 2017 nearly 4000 officers removed following reforms, good as shows direct action however exemplified deficit

  prison conditions - easy to escape, inhumane conditions including overcrowding, inadequate nutrition and poor sanitation

  land disputes leading to killing of indigenous people

  youthful population but high levels of poverty = child prostitution and labour

  murder of journalists, environmental activists and members of LGBTQ community - 2014-16 25 journalists murdered

  womens rights - abortion illegal without any exceptions
• gang culture linked to drug violence in honduras


  san pedro sula most dangerous city in earth outside a warzone

  each week more than 20 people killed in city

  hospitals struggling to cope with victims of crime and armed guards are needed to protect patients

  local businesses have to pay gangs $1000 protection money per month and staff are killed if they cant / wont pay

  around 36,000 gang members compared to 12,000 police officers
• povery in honduras


  economy used to rely on exporting bananas and coffee but taken over by textile and auto part factories

  wages are often not enough

  banana republic - countries earning money from cash crops = low profit = trapped in poverty cycle
• limited access to education in honduras


  education system is free but families fail to afford uniforms, books, shoes etc

  many children put to work instead usually on rubbish dumps
• global governance strategies in honduras - UN

  UN sent human rights advisor to help implement honduran national human rights plan

  also helped strengthen government institutions that are trying to promote and protect human rights
• global governance strategies in honduras - the US

  assigned almost $100 million in bilateral aid to honduras through USAID and central americal regional security initiative

  US also made military and police aid available conditionally to meeting certain human rights
• global governance strategies in honduras - NGOs

  care international help with education, healthcare, food and water provision
• global governance strategies in honduras - TNCs

  KENCO - coffe v gangs campaign

  helps 20 young people to stay out of gangs by training them as coffee farmers

  participants receive lessons in maths, language, and good agricultural practices, as well as life skills and how to save money
• global governance strategies in honduras - law changes

  made illegal in 2017 as high % of hondurian girls married before 18

  however, children as young as 12 years can be charged as adults in honduras

  2017 - law passed on clean politics preventing organised crime from contributing to political campaigns and to hold parties / candidates for illegally financing campaigns
• opportunities for stability in honduras

  Financial stability is being achieved through bilateral aid from the US

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

  Under the CARSI, local governance is being strengthened.

  Community-based initiatives are also being used to educate youths and prevent crime and gang activity.
• opportunities for economic growth in honduras

  USA and UN helping to implement new food security programmes, promotes economic diversification and helps train citizens to respond to natural disasters.

  Dominican Republic – Central America Free Trade Agreement, small farmers receiving assistance to increase trade opportunities.

  CAFTA-DR benefits Honduras as it removes tariffs and encourages FDI. However, US has benefitted most from this agreement and economic growth is lower in Honduras than in rest of Latin America.

  USAID helping empower communities and working in local areas to end poverty.
• opportunities for socio-economic development in honduras

  40% of population under 15, so in order to meet MDG targets for universal primary education and school enrolment, Ministry of Education has given local authorities more money and power to invest in schools.

  Efforts to improve child and maternal health and nutrition, as well as to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS are providing opportunities for further development in future.
• challenges of inequality faced in honduras

  Evident in urban areas such as squatter settlements in San Pedro Sula. Rural-urban migration has led to housing shortages and lack of sanitation/no clean water supply.

  Discrimination in access to health care and education between girls and boys, as well as prejudice against HIV-positive people.
• challenges of injustice faced in honduras

  Judges frequently face acts of intimidation and threats to them and their families.

  criminal justice system is outdated and does not place enough emphasis on protecting human rights. 

  Attacks on journalists, violence against women and children and discrimination against indigenous people continues.

  violence relating to drug trafficking and urban gangs
• work of USAID in supporting human rights in honduras

  aims are “promote more prosperous and safer Honduras by advancing inclusive social and economic development.”

  also aim to reduce extreme poverty and increase security as well as create more transparent and accountable national government.

  MACCIH is independent, international anti-corruption body designed to improve quality of justice system. USAID works with Organisation of American States.
• successes of USAID in honduras

  Rivera Hernandez neighbourhood in San Pedro Sula saw 73% decline in homicides between 201316. At-risk youths in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula have also benefited from $5 mil investment in urban youth Outreach Centres, which have also helped strengthen community ties.

  Since 2011, USAID has helped 20,000 families out of extreme poverty, leading to 53% increase in their incomes.
• work of IFAD in supporting human rights in honduras

  aim to address poverty and hunger in rural areas within developing countries

  In Honduras, IFAD invested $149 million to help farming communities by providing loans, supporting indigenous peoples’ organisations and improving rural communities’ access to technologies to make farming more efficient.

  good because most farms in Honduras are dedicated to low-profit crops like bananas, beans and rice and indigenous population has highest rate of poverty - 71%
• work of CARE international in supporting human rights in honduras

  NGO - has in Honduras since 1954, by initially providing emergency assistance to hurricane victims.

  work began with food distribution programs and CARE Honduras’ current projects include agroforestry and maternal health.

  often works within small communities, which is good because needs of people in urban areas are very different to those in rural areas.

  funded by individual donations, corporations, EU and countries’ governments (including UK).