Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report Prepared by: The Research Directorate, Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada February 2018 This Report was prepared by the Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada based on approved notes from meetings with oral sources, publicly available information, analysis and comment. All sources are cited. This Report is not, and does not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed or conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee protection. For further information on current developments, please contact the Research Directorate. Table of Contents: Map ................................................................................................................... 4 Glossary ............................................................................................................ 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 9 Methodology .................................................................................................... 10 Overview ......................................................................................................... 12 Chapter I. Crime in Honduras and the Situation of Witnesses of Crime and Corruption........................................................................................................ 16 1. Territorial Presence ...................................................................................... 16 1.1 Invisible Borders .................................................................................... 16 1.2 Recruitment ........................................................................................... 17 1.3 Activities ................................................................................................ 20 1.3.1 Extortion .......................................................................................... 20 2. Legal Apparatus and Institutional Efficacy .................................................... 21 2.1 Justice System ....................................................................................... 21 2.2 National Police ....................................................................................... 22 2.3 Protection Programs .............................................................................. 23 2.3.1 Witness Protection Program ............................................................ 23 2.3.2 Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Media Workers, and Justice Operators ................................................................... 23 2.3.3 Precautionary Measures ................................................................. 25 2.4 Violence Prevention Programs .............................................................. 25 2.5 Complaints Mechanism ......................................................................... 28 3. Displacement................................................................................................ 29 3.1 Assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ............................... 31 4. Returnees ..................................................................................................... 34 4.1 Assistance for Returnees ....................................................................... 35 Chapter II - Violence against Women and Girls ................................................. 37 1. Situation .......................................................................................................... 37 2. Forms of Violence against Women and Girls .................................................. 38 2.1 Domestic Violence versus Intrafamily Violence ......................................... 38 Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report. Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 1 of 92 2.1.1 Domestic Violence ............................................................................... 39 2.1.2 Intrafamily Violence ............................................................................. 40 2.2 Femicide .................................................................................................... 41 2.3 Sexual Violence ......................................................................................... 43 2.4 Gang Violence against Women and Girls .................................................. 44 2.5 Violence by Authorities against Women and Girls ..................................... 45 2.6 Violence Experienced by Women's Rights Defenders ............................... 45 3. State Protection .............................................................................................. 46 3.1 Agencies Where Victims Can File Complaints ........................................... 46 3.2 Reporting Rate and Lack of Trust .............................................................. 49 3.3 Protection Measures .................................................................................. 50 3.4 Effectiveness of the Police and Judicial System ........................................ 50 3.5 Awareness-Raising Campaigns and Activities ........................................... 51 4. Support Services ............................................................................................. 52 4.1 Helplines .................................................................................................... 54 4.2 Shelters ..................................................................................................... 54 5. Possibility of Relocation and Traceability of Women Fleeing Violent Situations ............................................................................................................ 57 Chapter III - Situation of Sexual Minorities ........................................................ 58 1. Situation .......................................................................................................... 58 2. Statistics ......................................................................................................... 60 3. Legislation ....................................................................................................... 61 4. State Protection .............................................................................................. 62 4.1 Filing Complaints ....................................................................................... 64 4.2 Protection Measures .................................................................................. 66 5. Support Services ............................................................................................. 66 5.1 Shelters ..................................................................................................... 67 5.2 Helplines .................................................................................................... 67 6. Possibility of Relocation and Traceability of Sexual Minorities Fleeing Violence .............................................................................................................. 67 Notes on Interlocutors ...................................................................................... 69 Additional References ...................................................................................... 74 Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report. Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 2 of 92 Attachments .................................................................................................... 87 Appendix 1 - Terms of Reference ..................................................................... 88 Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report. Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 3 of 92 Map Source: United Nations (UN). May 2004. Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Cartographic Section. "Honduras." <http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/honduras.pdf> [Accessed 1 Aug. 2017] Honduras: Information Gathering Mission Report. Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 4 of 92 Glossary ACAP Asylum Cooperation Action Plan ACV Asociación Calidad de Vida (Quality of Life Association) APUVIMEH Asociación Para Una Vida Mejor de Personas Infectadas y Afectadas por el VIH/SIDA en Honduras (Association for a Better Life for Persons Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS in Honduras) ATIC Agencia Técnica de Investigación Criminal (Technical Agency of Criminal Investigation) CAMR Centro de Atención a los Migrantes Retornados (Centre for the Assistance of Returned Migrants) CAPRODEM Centro de Atención y Protección de los Derechos de las Mujeres (Centre for Care and Protection of Women's Rights) CdA Centros de Alcance (Outreach Centres) CDH Centro de Desarrollo Humano (Centre for Human Development) CDM Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (Centre for Women’s Rights) CEM-H Centro de Estudios de la Mujer (Centre for Women’s Studies) CENISS Centro Nacional de Información del Sector Social (National Centre for Information on the Social Sector) COBRA Comando de Operaciones Especiales (Special Operations Command) COI Country of Origin Information COMAR Comisión Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados (Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance) CONADEH Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (National Commissioner for Human Rights) CPTRT Centro de Prevención, Tratamiento y Rehabilitación de Victimas de la Tortura (Centre for