4a. Honduras: case study of global governance of human rights in an LIDC Flashcards
GDP of Honduras:
In 2020 – US$2,405
Life expectancy:
69 for males and 73 for females – 2014
Total fertility rate:
2.8
MMR and IMR:
MMR – 120 per 100,000 live births
IMR = 17.8 per 1000 live births
(2014)
Employment structure:
39% agriculture
21% industry
40% services
Literacy rate:
85%
Political situation:
Politically unstable since 1882 with military control
What event is Honduras still recovering from?
Hurricane Mitch in 1998 – over 5000 Hondurans killed
What are the human rights issues in Honduras?
- Unlawful force and corruption of police
- Killings in rural areas over land disputes: agro-industrial firms against local indigenous organisations
- Discrimination against indigenous populations
- Gang culture and drug violence
- Trafficking for child labour and child prostitution
- Harassment and violence against women (machismo)
- Killings of journalists
- Poverty (44% live under $2 per day)
- Limited access to education or primary health care
What 4 bodies are involved in global governance in Honduras?
- UN
- USA
- Honduran government
- NGOs and TNCs
Describe UN role in global governance:
Human Rights Adviser sent to Honduras
Aim to:
- strengthen government institutions working in human rights
- implement Honduran National Human Rights Action Plan
- co-ordinate work of civil society and government
Describe the USA role in global governance:
Provided US$50 million in security aid between 2010-2014
Provides continued assistance through Central American Regional Security Initiative
Can provide military and police if required
Describe the role of Honduran government in global governance:
Established the Ministry for Justice and Human Rights + a Ministry for Security
Relies heavily on NGOs to address issues such as primary health care
Describe role of NGOs and TNCs in global governance:
Care International – tackles human rights issues like poverty, education, employment, water provision and food production
Corporate responsibility of TNCs like Kenco education scheme ‘ Coffee v Gangs’
What has HDI increased from?
- 461 in 1980
0. 617 in 2013
How can the opportunities in Honduras be categorised:
- Stability
- Economic growth
- Socio-economic development
Opportunities: describe stability
- Bilateral links with USA helping economy and national security
- Political stability through US support for anti-corruption and free + fair elections
- Local governance strengthened under Central America Regional Security Initiative
- Community-based efforts to prevent crime and gangs
Opportunities: describe economic growth
- US, UN and civil society are implementing new food security programmes promoting economic diversification and training citizens for natural disasters
- Dominican Republic – Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), small farmers assisted in trade opportunities
- USAID working in local areas to end poverty
Opportunities: describe socio-economic development
- 40% of population under 15 so Honduras Ministry of Education has decentralised to local authorities to meet MDG targets for school enrolment
- Efforts to improve maternal and child health and nutrition + preventing AIDS
How can the challenges in Honduras be categorised?
- Inequality
- Injustices
Challenges: describe inequality
- Inequalities between rich and poor evident in urban areas such as San Pedro Sula: housing shortages and lack of sanitation
- Unequal access to education and healthcare: discrimination against HIV-positive
Challenges: describe injustice
- Judges face acts of intimidation
- Criminal justice system outdates
- Attacks on journalists
- Violence against children
- Discrimination against indigenous peoples
- Drug trafficking and gang violence
