Summary

At the invitation of the Government of Honduras, the Working Group visited the country from 20 to 29 March 2023. In accordance with its mandate, the purpose of the visit was to obtain first-hand information on the human rights situation in the country in the area of enforced disappearance, with a view to identifying the progress achieved in protecting the rights to truth, justice, reparation and memory, as well as the main challenges the country is currently facing, including with regard to the prevention of enforced disappearance.

The Working Group recognizes the commitment made by the authorities and their statements acknowledging the existing gaps and challenges in the area of human rights and the measures needed to address them. However, it notes that victims are lacking in trust in view of the climate of systemic and long-standing impunity for human rights violations. Where enforced disappearance is concerned, this impunity is almost total, both for acts that took place in the past – particularly enforced disappearances committed in the 1980s and 1990s in connection with the so-called national security doctrine – and for current cases. The Working Group noted that the lack of progress results from a combination of the inadequate legislative framework, the weakness of institutions and the lack of coordination, capacities and resources, combined with a climate of insecurity, collusion and corruption. While the Working Group acknowledges the steps being taken to overcome the challenges identified, it hopes that these steps will result in concrete and effective change for victims of serious human rights violations and society as a whole in Honduras.

The Working Group considers that Honduras must assume its responsibilities and leadership role and redouble its efforts to guarantee the rights of victims of enforced disappearance in the areas of truth, justice, reparation and memory. The Working Group sets out a series of recommendations on issues ranging from prevention, investigation, punishment and reparation for the harm suffered by victims of enforced disappearance to the protection of groups in situations of particular vulnerability, such as Indigenous Peoples, migrants and persons living in poverty.