CASE STUDY - Honduras

Question 1

Honduras overview

Answer 1

• One of the least developed countries in Central America, in 2014 GDP per capita was $4700, life expectancy was 69 (male) and 72 (female)
• Total fertility rate was 2.8, MMR was 120 per 100,000 live births, IMR was 17.8 per 1000 live births
• Employment structure was made up of 40% services, 39% agriculture, 21% industry
• Country has been politically unstable, with military control until 1982

Question 2

Human rights issues

Answer 2

• Unlawful use of force and corruption by police
• Killings 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 culture
• Organised crime which includes trafficking of child labour and child prostitution
• Pervasive societal violence, including harassment of and violence against women
• Intimidation, threats, and killings of journalists
• Poverty (44% of the population living on $2 per day)
• Limited access to primary healthcare and education

Question 3

Global governance strategies used

Answer 3

• UN has sent a Human Rights Advisor at the request of Honduran Government, the aims are to strengthen government institutions working in human rights, to build a stronger human rights culture, to help implement Honduran National Human Rights Action Plan and to co-ordinate the work of civil society and the Honduran Government
• USA provided $50 million in aid between 2010-2014, continues to provide assistance through the Central American Regional Security Initiative, military and police aid is also available if the Honduras Government meets specific human rights stipulations
• Honduran government set up Ministry for Justice and Human Rights, a Ministry for Security and various commissions to reform citizen security and prevent torture, uses and relies heavily on NGOs to address issues such as provision of primary health care in rural areas
• CARE International is one example of an NGO which is helping to tackle issues such as poverty, education, employment, healthcare, water provision and food production

Question 4

What have the opportunities for stability been?

Answer 4

• Bi-lateral 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 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

Question 5

What have the opportunities for economic growth been?

Answer 5

• The USA, UN and civil society are effectively implementing new food security programmes, promoting economic diversification and training citizens in emergency response to natural disasters
• Under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, small farmers and other enterprises are being assisted to increase their trade opportunities
• USAID is working in local areas to end poverty and enable communities to realise their potential

Question 6

What have the opportunities for socio-economic development been?

Answer 6

• 40% of the population is under 15, the Honduras Ministry of Education has been helped to reform its policies by decentralising to local authorities to meet MDG targets
• Efforts to improve maternal and child health and nutrition, and to prevent HIV/AIDS are providing opportunities for further development

Question 7

What have been the challenges in terms of inequalities?

Answer 7

• Inequalities between rich and poor are evident in urban areas such as the industrial centre of San Pedro (Sula), Rural-urban migration leads to housing shortages, and inevitable problems of water supply and sanitation
• In both urban and rural areas, there remains unequal access to education and health care, not only between girls and boys but also by discrimination against HIV-positive people

Question 8

What have been the challenges in terms of injustice?

Answer 8

• Judges face acts of intimidation
• The criminal justice system needs modernising with greater protection of human rights
• Attacks on journalists continue
• Violence against children
• Discrimination against indigenous populations
• High incidence of violence related to drug trafficking and urban gangs