human rights honduras

Question 1

basic facts

Answer 1

• gdp per capita in 2014 was $4700
• life expectancy 70
• MMR 120/1000000
• IMR 17.8/1000
• 39% agriculture, 21% industry, 40% services
• 85% literacy
• politically unstable, elected government failed to control the security forces and to deal with human rights
• hurricane in 1998 devastated the country and only now showing signs of recovering

Question 2

the human rights issue

Answer 2

• police corruption
• killings in rural areas over land disputes
• discrimination against indigenous population
• gang culture and drug related crimes
• organised crime: child prostitution, child labour
• harassment and violence against women
• intimidation and threats of killing journalists
• poverty (44% of population living on less than $2 per day)
• lack of access to health care and educatation

Question 3

global governance strategies used

Answer 3

• UN sent human rights adviser to help strengthen government institutions working in human rights
• USA providing $50 million in security aid between 2010 and 2014
• military and police aid to help meet human rights goals
• government set up a ministry for justice and human rights, a ministry for security and various of other schemes
• NGOs provide assistance with things such as education and healthcare
• care international example of an NGO tackling human rights issues in rural honduras such as employment, education, health care and poverty, water and food provisions and production
• corporate responsibility such as large companies like Kenco creating education schemes

Question 4

opportunities for stability, growth and development

Answer 4

stability:
- links with USA helping the economy
- USA helping with political stability
- local government strengthened from central american regional security initiative
- community based efforts to prevent crime and gang activity include education for at-risk youths
economic growth:
- USA, UN and civil society are implementing new food security programmes
- free trade agreements in central america allowing farmers increase trade opportunities
- US government agencies working in local areas in honduras to end poverty and help these areas realise their potential
socio-economic developments:
- 40% of population is under 15, government reforming policies to decentralise in local areas to meet higher targets
- improve maternal and child health and nutrition and prevent HIV/AIDS

Question 5

challenges for inequality and injustices

Answer 5

inequalities:
- between rich and poor are evident, rural to urban migration leads to housing shortages and problems with water supply and sanitation
- urban and rural areas unequal access to education and health care
- discrimination between girls and boys and also people with HIV/AIDS
injustices:
- judges face acts of intimidation
- criminal justice system needs modernising with greater protection of human rights
- attacks on journalists continue
- discrimination against indigenous people
- high incidence of violence related to drug trafficking and urban gangs