Honduras LIDC Global Governance

General Information

• one of least developed countries in central America

• neighbours Guatemala

• in 2014, life expectancy 69 (male), 73 (female)

• MMR 120 per 100,000 live births

• military control until 1982 but since elected govs failed to control security

• country devastated by hurricane Mitch 1998

Human rights issues

Honduras has on of highest murder rates in world. Institutions of public safety ineffective

Effects of unresolved human rights issues:

• unlawful use of police

• killing over land disputes

• discrimination against indigenous people

• gang culture + drug violence

• killing of journalists

• limited access to education + health

• poverty - 44% population living on or less than $2 a day

Global governance strategies

• UN sent human rights advisors to Honduras. Aims to strengthen gov institutions working in human rights, build rights culture + coordinate work of civil society

• USA provided $50mil in security aid between 2010-2014

• military + police available if gov meet specific human rights stipulations

• Honduran gov set up ministry for justice

• Care International is one example NGO tackling human rights such as poverty, education, employment, health care

Opportunities for growth, stability + development

Stability:

• bilateral links with USA help economy + national security

• political stability from US support for anti-corruption

• community-based efforts to prevent crime + gang activity

Economic growth

• USA, UN + Civil Society implementing new food security programmes

• small farmers assisted to trade under Central America Free Trade Agreement

Socio-economic development

• 40% under 15, so Honduras Ministry of Education reformed targets for school enrolment

• efforts to improve maternal + child health, prevent HIV/AIDS

Challenges of inequality + injustice

inequality

• between rich/poor evident with housing shortages, water supply problems + sanitation

• urban/rural areas have unequal access to education + healthcare, between girls/boys, discrimination of HIV positive people

injustice

• judges face acts of intimidation

• criminal justice system needs modernisation, greater protection of human rights

• attacks on journalists

• discrimination against indigenous people

• high violence from urban gangs + drug trafficking