5.4.a Honduras HR

• One of the least developed countries in Central America
• 2014 - GDP = 4700
• Life expectancy - 71
• MMR - 120 per 100,000
• IMR - 17.8 per 1000
• 39% agriculture, 21% industry, 40% services
• Politically unstable with very little security since the military control in 1982
• Hurricane Mitch in 1998 caused mass damage
• An extremely high murder rate
• Unlawful use of police brutality and corruption
• Killings over ownership of land in rural Honduras
• Discrimination against indigenous populations
• Gang culture and drug-related violence
• Organised crime - trafficking, child labour, prostitution
• Harassment of women
• Threats and killings of journalists
• Poverty - 44% under $2 per day
• Limited access to healthcare and education

• UN has sent a human rights advisor to Honduras to work alongside the government
• AIms to strengthen government institutions working with human rights
• Want to implement the Honduran National Human Rights Action Plan
• The USA provided $50 million in security aid from 2010 to 2014
• The USA provides assistance through Central American security
• Military and policing is available if the Honduran government meets human rights targets
• USAID in general
• Ministry for Justice and Human Rights has been set up to prevent torture
• Relies heavily on NGOs to address healthcare
• e.g. Care International tackles poverty, education, employment, healthcare, water and food production in rural Honduras
• Kenco are providing education and jobs with Coffee vs Gangs

• Stability
  • Bilateral links with the USA help the economy and national security
  • Political stability with anti-corruption elections with US support
  • Local governance is being strengthened by the Central America Regional Security Initiative
  • Community-based efforts to prevent crime and gang activity, especially for the youth
• Economic growth
  • Food security programs promote economic diversification and training against natural disasters helping Honduras to recover financially
  • CAFTA-DR - small farmers are being encouraged to trade more benefitting everyone financially
  • USAID is working with poverty in local areas and enabling communities to realise and reach their potential
• Socio-economic development
  • 40% of the population is under 15 - decentralising education so school enrolment increases
  • Efforts to improve maternal and child health alongside nutrition
  • Efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS

Inequality

• Inequalities between rich and poor
• Rural-urban migration leads to a shortage of housing and poor water supply
• Unequal access to healthcare and education
• Inequalities due to gender and aginst HIV +ve people

Injustices

• Judges face heavy intimidation and threats
• The justice system needs to be updated to include the protection of human rights
• Attacks on journalists continue
• Still violence against children
• Discrimination against indigenous people
• High murder, drug, gang and trafficking rates