VZCZCXRO2788
OO RUEHVC
DE RUEHTG #0459/01 0672358
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 082358Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1347
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 6178
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0407
RUEHVC/AMCONSUL VANCOUVER PRIORITY 0056
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEPWJF/HQ BICE WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 20 TEGUCIGALPA 000459 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR G/TIP, DRL/IL, DRL/PHD, AND INL/LP 
STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/CEN, PRM, CA, AND G/IWI 
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAM 
DOL FOR ILAB 
DOJ FOR OPDAT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KJUS ASEC PREF ELAB HO
SUBJECT:  HONDURAS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT 2005/2006 
 
REF: (A) 06 State 3836 (2006 TIP report instructions) 
     (B) 05 Tegucigalpa 457 (2004/2005 TIP report) 
     (C) 06 Tegucigalpa 247 (Anti-TIP project proposal) 
     (D) 05 Tegucigalpa 1808 (TIP speaker) 
     (E) 05 Tegucigalpa 1302 (TIP-related arrests) 
 
¶1. (SBU) The following is the 2005/2006 Anti-Trafficking in 
Persons (TIP) Report input for Honduras, responding to 
questions posed in ref A.  Post point of contact is Political 
Officer Swati M. Patel, phone: (504) 236-9320, ext. 4394, IVG 
phone: 539-4394, fax: (504) 238-4446, and unclassified and 
classified e-mail.  Two spring interns spent a total of 100 
hours in preparation of this report.  One FS-5 spent 50 hours 
in preparation of this report, one LES spent 10 hours in 
preparation of this report, and one FS-2 spent 10 hours in 
preparation of this report. 
 
Post would like to highlight that in August 2005, the 
Honduran Congress passed a reform to Chapter 2 of the Penal 
Code that now encompasses almost all forms of Commercial 
Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 
with an increase in penalties and jail time.  The legislation 
was signed on September 28, 2005, and published on February 
4, 2006 in La Gaceta (the Honduran version of the Federal 
Registrar) making it enforceable.  This new law is the most 
significant anti-TIP advance since the last TIP report, and 
is a watershed in the GOH's efforts to prevent and prosecute 
TIP, and to protect potential TIP/CSE victims. 
 
Detailed answers to the questions raised in ref A are below. 
 
Question 21. OVERVIEW 
 
¶A. IS HONDURAS A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, TRANSIT OR DESTINATION 
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICKED MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN?  Yes. 
Honduras is a point of origin and transit for internationally 
trafficked women and children. 
 
-- SPECIFY NUMBERS FOR EACH GROUP?  There are no 
authoritative numbers available, but Post estimates that 
there are significantly more than 100 TIP victims. 
 
-- DOES THE TRAFFICKING OCCUR WITHIN HONDURAS' BORDERS? 
Trafficking also occurs within the country's borders. 
 
-- DOES IT OCCUR IN TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S 
CONTROL?  There is no territory technically outside of the 
government's control; however, trafficking does occur in 
regions where the government's presence and day-to-day 
control is minimal, as well as in areas with more significant 
GOH presence. 
 
-- ARE ANY ESTIMATES OR RELIABLE NUMBERS AVAILABLE AS TO THE 
EXTENT OR MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM?  Some estimates exist, 
but reliable statistics are not available for most issues in 
this poor, developing country.  However, from the evidence 
available, it appears that there are "a significant number of 
victims of severe forms of trafficking."  Qualitative 
statistics are a problem not only for Honduras, but also for 
the region.  At the latest sessions of the Inter-American 
Commission on Human Rights this problem was posed before the 
Commission, and it was suggested at the Commission that a 
centralized information system be created in order to 
compile, organize, analyze, and distribute data on TIP and 
CSEC. 
 
In 2002 the International Labor Organization (ILO) 
International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor 
(IPEC) published a study of CSEC based on interviews with 100 
victims (86 girls and 14 boys) in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro 
Sula.  The study covers levels of poverty, pregnancy rates, 
previous sexual abuse, place of exploitation, and assistance 
received by the children.  In March 2002, the NGO Casa 
Alianza published a report "Investigation on the Trafficking, 
Sex Tourism, Pornography and Prostitution of Children in 
Central America and Mexico," which also does not include 
statistical information of the extent of the problem in 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  002 OF 020 
 
 
Honduras.  In October 2002, DePaul University's International 
Human Rights Law Institute published the report "In Modern 
Bondage: Sex Trafficking in the Americas."  The book is a 
comparative analysis of efforts to combat sex trafficking in 
Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.  It does not 
include statistical information of the extent of the problem 
in Honduras.  Likewise, in 2006, John Hopkins University 
released the third edition of the Protection Project: "Human 
Rights Report on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and 
Children."  However, it too does not include statistical 
information.  The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) funded an 
ILO/IPEC "Statistical Program for Advocacy on the Elimination 
of Child Labor and the Protection of Working Children in 
Central America and the Dominican Republic (SIMPOC)."  This 
USD 2,210,173 project began in October 1999 and was scheduled 
to end in December 2003, but was extended through June 2004. 
It funded household surveys designed to gather information 
about the magnitude of child labor in Central America, 
including in Honduras.  IPEC published a synthesis of the 
results of this study in May 2004, but it is based on 2002 
data already published. 
 
The NGO Friend of the Children Foundation said that, from 
1990 to 2003, 408 cases of missing children had been reported 
to the NGO.  It is unknown how many of these children may 
have been trafficking victims.  Save the Children UK did a 
study with the Honduran police of CSEC in the San Pedro Sula 
area, but this study was never published.  In December 2003, 
Casa Alianza released a study estimating that there are 
approximately 8,335 children who are victims of some form of 
CSEC in Honduras.  The report also identified 1,019 children 
(979 of whom were female) who are being commercially sexually 
exploited.  While details of this report are not available 
publicly, Post later learned that the most victims were found 
in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Tocoa, Tela, and Puerto 
Cortes (in that order), and that the study found CSEC to be 
concentrated in two zones: the North-South commercial 
corridor and the North (Caribbean) Coast.  In October 2005, 
Casa Alianza estimated that approximately 10,000 children in 
20 cities of Honduras are affected by CSE/TIP, with 
approximately 400 of them being boys.  Casa Alianza also 
cited the Mexican National Statistical Institute's statistic 
of 12,000 deportations of Hondurans annually, primarily based 
on alien smuggling/TIP, with daily deportations of 30 to 40 
children of Guatemalan or Honduran nationality. 
 
In March 2004, Casa Alianza released the results of a nine- 
month investigation into CSEC in Guatemala City, in which it 
identified 688 girls that were CSEC victims.  At least ninety- 
eight of these were Hondurans; in many cases Casa Alianza was 
unable to determine the nationality.  On the demand side, 
ILO/IPEC in 2004 released a qualitative study that focused on 
the demand for CSEC in Central America, Panama, and the 
Dominican Republic.  The office of the Human Rights Ombudsman 
runs a 1-800 type number for complaints of human rights 
violations.  The office reports having received 42 alleging 
possible TIP-related calls in 2004: two for "slavery and 
servitude," one for "trafficking in women and forced 
prostitution," 14 for "economic exploitation," and 25 for 
"sexual exploitation."  The office works to refer these 
complaints to the appropriate authorities.  The NGO Center 
for the Investigation and Promotion of Human Rights 
(CIPRODEH) runs a program to address sexual abuse of children 
in Atlantida department (North Coast).  It reports anecdotal 
evidence, though no hard statistics, of CSEC in this region, 
possibly including child sex tourism. 
 
Post notes that the vast majority of Honduran migrants are 
economic migrants who go of their own free will and are not 
subject to forced labor in the countries to which they 
migrate. 
 
-- WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS?  Available sources of information 
include Honduran government officials in the Ministry of 
Government and Justice, including Immigration; the Ministry 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  003 OF 020 
 
 
of Public Security, including the Directorate of Special 
Investigations (DGSEI), the Frontier Police (part of the 
DGSEI), as well as the Preventive Police - including the 
Division Against Abuse, Traffic and Child Sexual Exploitation 
(DATESI), and the Criminal Investigative Police (DGIC); the 
Public Ministry (Attorney General and prosecutors); the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Minister of Women's Affairs; 
and the Honduran Institute for Children and the Family 
(IHNFA); the Human Rights Ombudsman's office; international 
organizations, including UNICEF and the International 
Organization for Migration (IOM); and multiple NGO 
representatives, including CIPRODEH (the UNHCR representative 
in Honduras), Save the Children UK, Center for the Study of 
Women - Honduras (CEM-H), Friend of the Children Foundation, 
and Casa Alianza. 
 
-- HOW RELIABLE ARE THE NUMBERS AND THESE SOURCES?  The 
sources of information are reliable, but as previously 
stated, statistics are generally not available for TIP in 
Honduras, with the exception of the December 2003 Casa 
Alianza study noted above.  IHNFA has been undergoing a 
restructuring and has significant problems in the recent 
past. 
 
-- ARE CERTAIN GROUPS OF PERSONS MORE AT RISK OF BEING 
TRAFFICKED?  Women and girls are trafficked more often than 
men and boys.  Casa Alianza estimates that approximately 90 
percent of minors trafficked from Honduras are girls. 
 
¶B. PLEASE PROVIDE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE TRAFFICKING 
SITUATION IN HONDURAS AND ANY CHANGES SINCE THE LAST TIP 
REPORT. 
 
Prosecution 
----------- 
 
The GOH has demonstrated a willingness and ability to 
investigate and prosecute TIP cases on related charges, and 
this was prior to the newly passed legislation against 
commercial sexual exploitation.  In the area of 
investigations, arrests, and prosecutions, progress has been 
made on an increasing number of TIP-related cases over the 
last year.  Raids of centers of possible underage 
prostitution continued with arrests of perpetrators and 
victims being assisted.  The recently passed legislation on 
commercial sexual exploitation/trafficking in persons 
(CSE/TIP), which came into force February 4, 2006, has strong 
support (see Question 23-A).  This new law is a watershed in 
the GOH's efforts to prevent and prosecute TIP, and to 
protect TIP victims.  With respect to data collection 
efforts, Post has submitted a project proposal to fund a Save 
the Children UK project in coordination with Post's Narcotics 
Affairs Section (NAS) to work with the division within the 
Preventive Police that focuses on the abuse, smuggling, and 
sexual exploitation of children (DATESI) to create a National 
Archiving and Processing System for the registration and 
follow-up of CSEC cases.  This system would be connected as 
part of the national criminal database that will soon go 
online (ref C). 
 
Protection 
---------- 
 
The GOH continues to work with NGOs to identify victims of 
both internal and transnational trafficking and ensure that 
victims receive assistance.  In Yunque, Ocotepeque, there is 
a shelter for the returned minors, women and disabled 
migrants with support from the Catholic Church, International 
Office of Migration (IOM) and Honduran Institute for Children 
and the Family (IHNFA).  The Public Ministry committed to 
dedicating one prosecutor to the shelter specifically to 
identify TIP victims and investigate the modus operandi of 
traffickers.  This inter-agency effort with close cooperation 
from NGOs like Casa Alianza is an important step forward. 
The GOH works closely with NGOs to refer women and children 
to shelters as appropriate. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  004 OF 020 
 
 
Prevention 
---------- 
 
Senior GOH officials of the Maduro Administration, including 
the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency, Government 
and Justice, and Public Security, as well as the Attorney 
General and the President of the Supreme Court, have all 
expressed to USG officials their commitment to combating TIP 
and are prioritizing resources from their strained budgets to 
prevent and combat TIP.  Post is working to highlight the 
importance of TIP with the new Zelaya Administration 
officials (sworn in January 27, 2006).  The inter- 
institutional commission on commercial sexual exploitation 
has conducted numerous regional seminars on CSE/TIP.  Both 
the commission and the ILO/IPEC program on combating CSEC 
have conducted training for GOH officials.  The UNICEF/GOH 
public information campaign against trafficking and CSEC has 
raised awareness among the general public, and there has been 
growing media coverage of CSE/TIP.  In January 2005, IOM, 
using PRM funding, implemented a well-attended two-day 
seminar on trafficking to train mid- and high-level GOH 
officials on all aspects of TIP.  The Deputy Director of the 
Migration Police, who attended the IOM training, subsequently 
used the seminar materials to train all of her staff on 
recognizing and investigating TIP.  The Public Ministry 
together with UNICEF conducted a total of 10 training 
sessions throughout 2005 on the prevention of TIP and 
commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) to 
transportation and hotel owners in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro 
Sula, of which there were a total of 84 participants.  Using 
funding from G/TIP, in 2005, NAS conducted four basic 
criminal investigative training courses in Tegucigalpa and 
San Pedro Sula to improve TIP investigations and 
prosecutions.  Overall, 108 people participated, including 
investigators, judges, attorneys and police officers - 
attendees primarily from the Public Ministry and the 
Migration Police.  At the end of March 2006, NAS is 
sponsoring a two-week TIP training session in Tegucigalpa, 
which will include many of the aforementioned governmental 
players as well as numerous NGO participants.  In February 
2006, NAS also donated new equipment worth USD 13,000 to 
DATESI to help with training and for a more unified database. 
GOH police and prosecutors are active in a DHS/ICE-organized 
regional task force on TIP/alien smuggling, and have actively 
participated in regional law enforcement and migration 
conferences that address CSE/TIP.  The Special Prosecutor for 
Children is working with her counterpart in Guatemala on 
locating and repatriating Honduran children who are victims 
of CSE/TIP of CSEC in Guatemala.  The Attorney General has 
communicated with the Guatemalan Attorney General on the need 
for coordinating bilaterally on TIP cases. 
 
Finally the finalizing and official publication of TIP/CSE 
legislation reform, along with other anti-TIP efforts over 
the last year and up to the present, have demonstrated that 
there is a very strong political/institutional will to combat 
CSE/TIP in Honduras. 
 
The following are recent TIP-related cases in Honduras: 
 
Internal TIP/CSE: 
----------------- 
 
-- The Special Prosecutor for Children is continuing to 
conduct operations jointly with the police, IHNFA, judges, 
and Casa Alianza, to rescue CSEC victims and arrest and 
prosecute those responsible. 
 
-- Cases continue against several bars and massage parlors 
accused of CSEC, specifically prostitution.  There is an 
outstanding arrest warrant for pimping children for the 
Spanish owner of the Titanic bar in Tegucigalpa, Jose Maria 
Vega Llorenti.  He is believed to have fled to Spain; the 
bar's manager, a Honduran woman, is under arrest.  In another 
case there is an outstanding arrest warrant for a fugitive 
Honduran man for running a "massage parlor" with minor 
prostitutes. 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  005 OF 020 
 
 
 
-- As previously reported, Honduran authorities arrested 
American citizen Timothy Shea Hogan on July 15, 2003, for 
alleged commercial sexual exploitation of five Honduran girls 
in Danli.  He was convicted October 21, 2004, and on October 
23, 2004, was sentenced to 47 years in jail.  This case 
involved close cooperation between U.S. and Honduran law 
enforcement authorities.  He faces possible U.S. Protect Act 
charges upon the completion of his sentence in Honduras. 
 
-- Including Timothy Shea Hogan, the GOH has prosecuted six 
American citizens in the last five years, all on charges 
related to crimes against children.  Three were involved in a 
club in San Pedro Sula that involved pimping and pandering to 
minors.  The other prosecutions were for lechery against a 
minor, Internet pornography, and sexual abuse of minors.  One 
U.S. convict escaped from jail, and one jumped parole; both 
of these two are reportedly back in the U.S. 
 
-- In a child pornography case in 2005, one Honduran man was 
arrested in Tegucigalpa for exploiting two Honduran girls to 
make child pornography.  No further details are available at 
this time. 
 
-- Another U.S. citizen was arrested in La Ceiba in January 
2006, but has not yet been prosecuted.  He was arrested for 
child pornography and was found to have pictures and videos 
of child pornography, along with magazines, massage oils, 
computers, and other equipment used for the pornography.  Due 
to his status as a senior citizen, he is being held under 
house arrest. 
 
- - Post is awaiting more updated information on specific 
internal TIP/CSE cases from the Special Prosecutor for 
Children. 
 
Transnational TIP/CSE: 
---------------------- 
 
-- As previously reported, Honduran police arrested Chinese 
naturalized Hondurans Hu Weng Rong (December 9, 2003) and He 
Jia Bin (December 11, 2003) in San Pedro Sula for involvement 
in an alien smuggling ring for People's Republic of China 
(PRC) nationals using fraudulent documents.  Both are still 
in jail pending prosecution for charges of alien smuggling, 
false documents, possessing equipment to create false 
documents, and money laundering.  These cases could have some 
TIP elements, as it is possible that the Chinese being 
smuggled would have been subject to debt bondage to pay off 
their smuggling fees.  The office of the Special Prosecutor 
for Organized Crime reports that the various Chinese 
smuggling networks in Honduras are all related, and that the 
transit of Chinese through Honduras has decreased 
significantly from 2003 to 2004, at least in part because of 
aggressive GOH efforts to combat these networks in 
conjunction with DHS/ICE.  The prosecution of He Jia Bin has 
been problematic, and complaints have been lodged against 
three judges in this case. 
 
-- As previously reported, Honduran police arrested two 
Taiwanese citizens in 2003 on charges of alien smuggling in 
cases that could have some TIP elements, as it is possible 
that the Chinese would have been subject to debt bondage to 
pay off their smuggling fees.  The Taiwanese were caught 
trying to smuggle PRC nationals to the U.S. via San Pedro 
Sula using fraudulent documents.  Chen Ke Jung, arrested in 
San Pedro Sula on October 12, 2003, has since violated 
probation status and is currently a fugitive.  Lin Wei-Chung, 
arrested December 26, 2003, was charged with alien smuggling 
and false documents but released on bail in March 2004 and 
fled in April 2004.  Taiwanese authorities in Honduras issued 
an alert to all Central American countries to prevent Lin 
from obtaining a passport.  Taiwan consular officials report 
that Lin applied for and was denied a passport in Guatemala 
in May 2004.  The actions of Judge German Garcia in these 
cases have been suspect.  The Special Prosecutor for 
Organized Crime has lodged a complaint against him. 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  006 OF 020 
 
 
 
-- As previously reported, Honduran authorities arrested six 
people (three men and three women) in Tocoa in October 2003 
for alien smuggling and money laundering, and charged two of 
the men with aggravated alien smuggling because of alleged 
sexual exploitation of their victims.  These two men are 
alleged to have forced three women to have sex in exchange 
for their illegal passage from Honduras to 
Guatemala/Mexico/U.S.  The men are in jail and the women are 
under house arrest, and the case is pending. 
 
-- As previously reported, according to the Honduran 
newspaper La Tribuna, Guatemalan security forces in early 
February 2003 discovered nine children, two of them Honduran, 
who were being held captive in Guatemala City.  According to 
the children's account, adults claiming to be Evangelical 
pastors recruited them.  The "pastors" promised the children 
that, upon arrival, they would have plenty of food, friends 
and toys.  In reality, the children, between eleven and 
fifteen years old, were forced to sell drugs, candy, and 
clothing in the streets.  At night, they were chained 
together to prevent escape.  The victims were physically 
abused and were given only bread and beans to eat. 
Guatemalan police arrested two Guatemalans whom police 
believed to be responsible soon after the victims were 
discovered. 
 
-- As previously reported, DHS/ICE officials, working jointly 
with the FBI and local police, in Fort Worth, Texas on May 
16, 2002, busted an illegal immigration/trafficking operation 
in which at least 39 Honduran women, among them five girls, 
were prostituted in area bars and subject to debt bondage. 
Honduran police, working closely with DHS/ICE, arrested 
ringleader Roger Galindo in San Lorenzo, Honduras on February 
5, 2004.  Also arrested February 5 were Marlene de Jesus 
Aguilar Galindo (Galindo's cousin) and Sabina Zepeda (his 
mother); Maria Isabel Cruz Zamora (his common law wife) is 
still a fugitive with pending Honduran and U.S. arrest 
warrants.  Roger Galindo and the others had been fugitives 
since the original arrests in 2002.  This case is a good 
example of GOH ability to obtain TIP-related convictions in 
spite of the previous limitations of the law.  Roger Galindo 
and Sabina Zepeda were convicted October 21, 2004 in Honduras 
of aggravated alien smuggling because of the elements of 
exploitation and deprivation of liberty in the case.  Both 
were sentenced to ten years imprisonment.  Marlene de Jesus 
Aguilar Galindo was acquitted, but the Honduran prosecutor 
appealed the case, and a Supreme Court resolution is pending. 
 
-- On April 15, 2004 three individuals were detained in a 
case in San Pedro Sula involving the smuggling network 
Chinchilla Leon.  The individuals were charged with alien 
smuggling, money laundering, falsification of public 
documents, and impersonation.  Three other individuals are 
fugitives and have outstanding arrest warrants.  This case is 
still pending, and it is not yet clear if there are elements 
of trafficking in this case. 
 
-- The office of the Special Prosecutor for Organized Crime, 
working with DHS/ICE, has been investigating since 2005 four 
cases that may involve trafficking.  In Danli, there is a 
case that appears to be trafficking for commercial sexual 
exploitation in Guatemala; one female minor died in this 
case.  The recruiter and transporter have been detained, and 
the prosecutor is close to filing charges.  There is another 
case under investigation in which women and girls were 
apparently trafficked from Honduras to El Salvador and 
tricked into prostitution.  There is one suspect detained in 
this case.  Finally, a case of possible trafficking of 
children from Honduras to Costa Rica is being investigated. 
This is a delicate case involving a respected religious 
organization.  The purpose of the smuggling seems to have 
been adoption, and it is not yet clear whether the children 
could be considered trafficking victims.  In all three cases, 
the GOH is cooperating closely with police and prosecutors in 
the destination countries. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  007 OF 020 
 
 
-- In 2005, A Honduran man, Marvin Gerard Erazo Caballero, 
was arrested and three Honduran girls rescued in Guatemala. 
The girls were apparently brought from Honduras to Guatemala, 
enrolled in a school, and forced to participate in the making 
of child pornography as well as the recruitment of other 
girls for the same purpose.  The Honduran Special Prosecutor 
for Children working closely with her Guatemalan counterpart 
on this case. 
 
-- The Special Prosecutor for Children is currently 
investigating a possible CSEC involving Honduran girls 
sexually exploited, possibly using the Internet, in Honduras 
and Guatemala.  This led to the arrest in Talanga (outside 
Tegucigalpa) of two Honduran sisters, and the rescue of two 
Honduran teenage minors in 2005.  The girls were beguiled 
with false job offers in Guatemala and were forced to work in 
prostitution.  After being rescued, they were repatriated to 
Honduras.  There are pending arrest warrants for two men (one 
Guatemalan, Walter Herminio Ramirez Arocha, and one Honduran, 
Luis Gustavo Franco).  The Special Prosecutor for Children, 
Nora Urbina, went to Guatemala City in early April 2005 to 
work on this case and try to rescue additional Honduran girls 
being commercially sexually exploited with the assistance of 
Guatemalan authorities.  Urbina continues to build a larger 
case and is gathering allegations from more victims currently 
in Honduras. 
 
-- In January 2005 nineteen Honduran women and girls who 
were possibly victims of trafficking were detained in New 
Jersey.  Six of the nineteen are minors.  The women and 
girls were allegedly forced to work in a bar to try to get 
male patrons to purchase drinks, and were allegedly 
encouraged to prostitute themselves, both of these to earn 
money to pay off their smuggling fees.  Eleven people have 
been detained in this case, and three of them have pleaded 
guilty of harboring, smuggling and forced labor.  Four of 
them have been detained in Honduras and charged with 
smuggling and money laundering, and two of them are 
fugitives.  The trial for this case will take place in the 
U.S. in the September/October 2006 timeframe.  As 
investigations continue in the U.S., Honduran police and 
prosecutors, working with DHS/ICE, have identified and are 
investigating recruiters and smugglers in Honduras. 
 
-- In February of 2006, 18 Honduran minors were deported 
from Mexico and are in the process of being sent back to 
Honduras.  Four of them were reportedly being trafficked for 
prostitution, though none of them had actually been 
prostituted at the time they were rescued.  Some were 
offered jobs while others the promise of reuniting with 
families in the United States.  All 18 were found after 
having fled or been abandoned by the "coyotes" in Mexico. 
 
-- In March of 2006, four young Honduran girls were rescued 
from a prostitute house in Tapachula, Mexico, after being 
taken from their neighborhood in Honduras.  The mothers of 
the children sought help from the Directorate General of 
Criminal Investigation (DGIC).  Carlos Ruiz Garcia is being 
detained by Mexican police and is accused of trafficking the 
girls to his friend's brothel in Tapachula, Mexico. 
Neighbors in the San Lorenzo neighborhood say that this is 
not the first time that Garcia has taken minors to Mexico. 
He is currently under investigation. 
 
- Post is awaiting more updated information on specific 
transnational TIP/CSE cases from the Special Prosecutor 
Against Organized Crime and the Special Prosecutor for 
Children. 
 
-- HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION OR EXTENT OF 
TRAFFICKING SINCE THE LAST TIP REPORT?  Due to the general 
lack of comprehensive statistics on TIP issues it is 
difficult to assess if there has been a change in the 
direction or extent of trafficking.  However, qualitatively 
speaking, the political will to combat CSE/TIP has 
strengthened as can be witnessed by the passage of new 
tougher legislation.  As detailed above, the GOH is 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  008 OF 020 
 
 
investigating and prosecuting several cases, some of which 
began prior to 2004 and some of which are new cases. 
 
-- BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE POLITICAL WILL TO ADDRESS TRAFFICKING 
IN PERSONS.  The GOH is strongly opposed to trafficking in 
persons.  Senior officials of the Maduro Administration, 
including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency, 
Government and Justice, and Public Security, as well as the 
Attorney General and the President of the Supreme Court, have 
all expressed to USG officials their commitment and 
prioritized resources from their strained budgets to prevent 
and combat TIP.  Post is working to highlight the importance 
of TIP with the new Zelaya Administration officials (sworn in 
January 27, 2006).  This bipartisan political will is best 
exemplified by the historic reform of TIP/CSE legislation 
that became law in February 2006 (see Question 23-A). 
Honduran authorities are striving to combat trafficking with 
the extremely limited resources they have.  The reform to the 
Criminal Code, however, is a significant show of GOH good 
faith. 
 
-- WHICH POPULATIONS ARE MOST TARGETED BY TRAFFICKERS?  Women 
and girls are trafficked more often than men and boys.  Casa 
Alianza estimates that approximately 90 percent of minors 
trafficked from Honduras are girls. 
 
-- WHO ARE THE TRAFFICKERS?  Most traffickers are apparently 
Honduran, Guatemalan, and/or Mexican citizens, and in some 
cases Chinese or Taiwanese, but information is limited.  Many 
of them are reportedly "coyotes" (alien smugglers). 
 
-- WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO APPROACH VICTIMS?  In a majority 
of cases, traffickers apparently pose as "coyotes," claiming 
that they will facilitate border crossings and help 
immigrants get to other countries in Central America, Mexico, 
and/or ultimately the U.S.  In some cases, the victims are 
promised jobs that do not involve exploitation.  In reality, 
the would-be immigrants become victims as they are forced 
into commercial sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, and/or 
debt bondage.  In a previously mentioned case involving 
children trafficked for drug sales, the children claimed that 
their traffickers had posed as pastors.  While information is 
limited, it appears that many victims are subjected to 
threats and/or violence.  Documents can be withheld from 
victims until they pay for passage in a form of debt bondage. 
 
-- WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO MOVE THE VICTIMS?  To move 
between four countries in Central America (CA-4 - El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) children only 
need a birth certificate (and, if not traveling with both 
parents, a notarized letter from the parent(s)); adults only 
need a national identification document (carnet) or a CA-4 
certificate (without a photograph) identifying oneself as a 
Central American citizen.  NGO and government officials 
suspect that traffickers falsify these documents and/or 
passports, bribe low-level Honduran, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, 
and/or Salvadoran Immigration officials at the border or 
airport, or bring victims out of Honduras by avoiding 
designated border crossings.  Anecdotal accounts state that 
some victims may be drugged so as to be more docile during 
transit.  There are also reports of trafficking of persons 
hidden in containers meant to fool border inspectors. 
Central American governments are in the process of 
streamlining customs and immigration processing, and it is 
not yet clear what the full implications will be for illicit 
transnational activities such as trafficking in persons. 
 
¶C. WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF GOH'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS TIP 
IN PRACTICE (POLICE FUNDING, INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING, 
CORRUPTION, RESOURCES FOR VICTIM AID)?  The Government, in 
this as in virtually every law enforcement sector, lacks the 
resources necessary to address this problem to a greater 
extent.  Funding for Immigration, the Frontier Police, 
Migration Police, the Public Ministry, and other relevant 
institutions is inadequate.  Corruption throughout the GOH 
and the judicial sector is an ongoing problem that hampers 
the GOH's ability to enforce the law in general. 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  009 OF 020 
 
 
 
¶D. TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEMATICALLY MONITOR 
ITS ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS (ON ALL FRONTS -- PROSECUTION, 
PREVENTION AND VICTIM PROTECTION) AND PERIODICALLY MAKE 
AVAILABLE, PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY AND DIRECTLY OR THROUGH 
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, ITS ASSESSMENTS OF 
THESE ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS?  The GOH has a limited 
ability to monitor its efforts against trafficking.  The 
inter-institutional commission on commercial sexual 
exploitation reviews the GOH's efforts against CSEC and 
trafficking, and is striving to improve the GOH's efficacy in 
these areas.  The active NGO community including Casa Alianza 
that participates in the inter-institutional commission plays 
an important role in this monitoring effort. 
 
Question 22. 
 
PREVENTION: 
 
¶A. DOES THE GOH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TRAFFICKING IS A PROBLEM IN 
HONDURAS?  Yes, the GOH acknowledges that trafficking is a 
problem in Honduras. 
 
¶B. WHICH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED IN ANTI-TRAFFICKING 
EFFORTS AND WHICH AGENCY, IF ANY, HAS THE LEAD?  The Ministry 
of Government and Justice, which includes Immigration; the 
Ministry of Public Security, which includes the Preventive 
Police - including the Division Against Abuse, Traffic and 
Child Sexual Exploitation (DATESI), the Criminal 
Investigative Police (DGIC), the Directorate of Special 
Investigations (DGSEI), including the Frontier Police (part 
of the DGSEI and the police force for both Immigration and 
Customs) and the Division of Immigration Police that 
investigates cases of TIP and alien smuggling; the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs; the National Institute of Women, the 
Honduran Institute for Children and the Family (IHNFA); other 
executive branch agencies; the Public Ministry (Attorney 
General and all prosecutors); the Human Rights Ombudsman's 
office; the judicial system; and the Congress. 
 
¶C. ARE THERE OR HAVE THERE BEEN ANTI-TRAFFICKING INFORMATION 
OR EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS?  Yes.  The GOH, in conjunction with 
UNICEF, has implemented a public information campaign against 
trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.  UNICEF 
received a USD 2.5 million grant from the Government of Italy 
to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and commercial 
sexual exploitation in Central America.  The first part of 
the grant, USD 247,000, is for this public information 
campaign and is benefiting El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, 
and Nicaragua.  Casa Alianza conducted informational 
campaigns in Tela, Santa Rosa de Copan, Entrada Copan, and in 
Tegucigalpa.  They were also able to obtain some free PSA 
media space to launch campaigns, however those instances were 
neither systematic nor permanent. Currently Casa Alianza is 
focusing on launching informational campaigns via 
investigative journalism articles.   Past efforts have 
included public relations campaigns against illegal 
immigration in general, including one sponsored by the USG. 
There have also been informational campaigns on women and 
children's rights, including one led by the United Nations 
Development Program (UNDP). 
 
-- BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE CAMPAIGN(S), INCLUDING THEIR 
OBJECTIVES AND EFFECTIVENESS.  The GOH/UNICEF campaign 
includes billboards calling for a halt to trafficking in 
persons, especially commercial sexual exploitation.  Casa 
Alianza's information campaigns targeted children, parents, 
and the authorities of the respective cities.  The objectives 
of the informative campaigns included facilitating a public 
understanding and awareness of TIP and CSEC as a phenomenon 
and a crime, training the authorities on the Judicial, 
Executive, and Legislative systems, and lobbying for TIP 
legislation reform and the creation of a national plan for 
the prevention and eradication of TIP and CSEC.  The Casa 
Alianza PSA campaigns included several public service 
announcements for television on preventing commercial sexual 
exploitation and urging people to report to the authorities 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  010 OF 020 
 
 
any instances of such crimes.  The anti-illegal immigration 
public relations campaign focused on the risks associated 
with attempting to travel from Honduras to the U.S. as an 
illegal immigrant and entering the U.S. illegally.  The 
Embassy via the Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) and in 
conjunction with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) is 
supporting approximately 50 NGOs with an annual amount of USD 
100,000 to help promote TIP awareness among other projects. 
 
-- DO THESE CAMPAIGNS TARGET POTENTIAL TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 
AND/OR THE DEMAND FOR TRAFFICKING?  All of these campaigns 
are focused on the potential trafficking victims.  They 
target "clients" of commercial sexual exploitation to a 
lesser extent. 
 
¶D. DOES GOH SUPPORT OTHER PROGRAMS TO PREVENT TRAFFICKING? 
(E.G. TO PROMOTE WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC 
DECISIONMAKING OR EFFORTS TO KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.) PLEASE 
EXPLAIN.  The GOH Inter-Institutional Technical Committee on 
Gender supported gender units in five government ministries, 
and there is a special working women's division in the 
Ministry of Labor to coordinate government assistance 
programs that have a gender focus and that are targeted for 
women.  A number of social and educational programs exist 
that are intended to reach children at risk for working 
instead of attending school.  ILO/IPEC has programs focused 
on the eradication of the worst forms of child labor, 
including combating the commercial sexual exploitation of 
children, child labor in melon and coffee production, 
children working as lobster divers, children working in the 
garbage dump of Tegucigalpa, and child domestic workers.  In 
addition, the GOH is participating in a USD 5.5 million DOL- 
funded regional project implemented by CARE USA to combat 
child labor through education, which includes direct action 
in Honduras, from September 2004 - September 2008.  The 
Ministry of Education has developed an Education for All plan 
to increase access to preschool and primary education; 
improve the quality of preschool and primary education by 
encouraging new teaching methods, improving curriculum, and 
reducing drop-out rates, repetition, and desertion rates; and 
increase student achievement.  In October 2003, the 
Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 
representatives of the World Bank and other international 
donors to help the country reach its Education for All goals. 
A school grant program run by the Ministry of Education 
provides very poor families with money for school supplies. 
The Ministry of Education also provides alternative schooling 
by radio and long-distance learning for children in distant 
rural areas with few schools.  Regional committees of "Child 
Defense" volunteers try to convince parents to send their 
children to school.  The National Commission for the Gradual 
and Progressive Eradication of Child Labor has been operating 
since September 1998 to coordinate all GOH activities to 
combat child labor and reincorporate working minors into 
educational programs. 
 
¶E. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, 
NGOS, OTHER RELEVANT ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF 
CIVIL SOCIETY ON THE TRAFFICKING ISSUE?  There is a good 
working relationship between GOH officials, international 
organizations, NGOs, and other elements of civil society on 
trafficking.  In 2004, under the leadership of the Honduran 
delegate to the OAS Women's Commission, Ambassador Soledad de 
Ramirez, and 52 GOH entities, international organizations, 
and NGOs have participated in an inter-institutional 
commission that developed a national plan against the 
commercial sexual exploitation of children for 2003-2006. 
The GOH works closely with Casa Alianza on CSEC cases.  As 
previously stated a total of 30 CSEC operations were 
conducted in 2005 with the coordinated efforts of the GOH, 
IHNFA, Casa Alianza, Preventative and Investigative police, 
and the office of the First Lady.  The seminars mentioned 
above are also examples of productive cooperation between the 
GOH and NGOs. 
 
¶F. DOES IT MONITOR IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION PATTERNS FOR 
EVIDENCE OF TRAFFICKING?  The GOH does limited monitoring of 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  011 OF 020 
 
 
immigration and emigration patterns, including tallying 
numbers of third country nationals deported from Honduras on 
a monthly basis, generating some statistics that might be 
analyzed to develop potentially useful information in 
determining trafficking trends.  A Department of State Bureau 
of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) funded 
project provided USD 411,000 to Honduran Immigration to 
develop a machine-readable passport and associated computer 
system that assists the GOH's ability to monitor immigration 
and emigration patterns.  The machine-readable passport 
issuance system is in place in three offices in Honduras, and 
high-volume consulates overseas.  An associated system of 
biometric identification is in place at key land borders with 
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua at major airports. 
Honduran authorities work closely with DHS/ICE on potential 
trafficking cases. 
 
-- DO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SCREEN FOR POTENTIAL 
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ALONG BORDERS?  The Migration Police and 
Frontier Police are quick to respond to information they 
receive concerning possibly trafficking, including TIP.  The 
Government tries to monitor its borders but given its limited 
resources, maritime borders in the Gulf of Fonseca on the 
Pacific coast, and extensive land borders with El Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Nicaragua, the GOH only adequately monitors 
its borders at designated crossing points.  There is no 
attempt nor are there resources to monitor the borders 
outside of these checkpoints in key border crossing areas. 
Immigration only has approximately 300 employees and the 
Frontier Police only has approximately 175 employees.  GOH's 
ability to monitor and analyze emigration trends to determine 
evidence of trafficking is limited. 
 
¶G. IS THERE A MECHANISM FOR COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION 
BETWEEN VARIOUS AGENCIES, INTERNAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND 
MULTILATERAL ON TRAFFICKING-RELATED MATTERS, SUCH AS A MULTI- 
AGENCY WORKING GROUP OR A TASK FORCE?  As previously stated, 
several GOH entities, international organizations, and NGOs 
have participated in an inter-institutional working group 
that developed a national plan against CSEC for 2003-2006. 
This has proven to be an important venue for sharing 
information and focusing on improving deficiencies in 
preventing and combating trafficking. Also, the Public 
Ministry and IOM, with the input of various other GOH 
entities and civil society groups are currently working on 
the last stages of the development of an official protocol 
procedure for the repatriation to from other countries in the 
region to Honduras of child and adolescent victims of TIP. 
 
The GOH, along with other Central American countries, Mexico, 
the U.S., and Canada, is a participant in the Regional 
Conference on Migration.  While devoted to migration ssues 
in general, it addresses trafficking as pat of this scope. 
One of its three main objective concerns the protection of 
the human rights of migrants.  As previously noted, the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a representative o the Inter- 
American Commission of Women, Ambassdor Soledad de Ramirez. 
During her tenure in offce, Ambassador Ramirez used her 
position to aggressively work to prevent and combat 
trafficking inpersons.  From July 28-30, 2004, Honduras 
hosteda meeting of the Central American and Caribbean 
olicewomen's Association, which had a segment focued on 
CSE/TIP.  The Special Prosecutor for Children participated in 
a recent regional meeting in Csta Rica of Prosecutors for 
Children's Issues todiscuss regional anti-CSE/TIPC 
cooperation.  IHNA recently signed an agreement with the 
Inter-Amrican Children's Institute for cooperation and 
information exchange on cases of human rights violatins of 
children, including CSE/TIPC.  The focus wll be on cases 
that involve more than one countr. In August 2005, Casa 
Alianza organized and coordinated a regional meeting in Copan 
between prosecutors, police investigators, and INTERPOL 
representatives from Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, 
during which the topic of discussion was establishing 
regional coordinated action procedures for investigations, 
repression of TIP/CSEC, and rescue of victims. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  012 OF 020 
 
 
-- DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS WORKING 
GROUP OR SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT?  Yes, the previously 
mentioned inter-institutional working group that developed a 
national plan against CSE for 2002-2006 is essentially 
functioning as a task force on this issue.  Immigration, 
along with the Migration Police and the Frontier Police as 
their enforcement arm and the Special Prosecutor Against 
Organized Crime as a key partner, are the lead government 
agencies on arrests and prosecutions of trafficking.  The 
Special Prosecutor for Children has been extremely aggressive 
in combating CSEC, in conjunction with multiple GOH agencies 
and NGOs. 
 
-- DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A PUBLIC CORRUPTION TASK FORCE? 
The Superior Court of Accounts (TSC), created in January 
2003, consolidated GOH anti-corruption institutions under one 
roof and is specifically charged with addressing corruption 
cases.  The National Anti-Corruption Council collaborates and 
supports the TSC, however neither the council nor the TSC has 
demonstrated much success in combating corruption.  As 
previously stated, trafficking cases allegedly involving the 
corruption of government employees are prosecuted by the 
Special Prosecutor for Human Rights. 
 
¶H. DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION TO 
ADDRESS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS?  No, but the national plan 
against the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) 
for 2003-2006 addresses other TIP issues and thus is an 
important first step by the GOH in developing an overall 
coordinated plan.  Currently, the 2006 goals of the inter- 
institutional commission against CSEC include finalizing a 
national plan of action against CSEC.  Other important goals 
include conducting training seminars in CSEC to justice 
operatives; information campaigns on CSEC to high-level 
governmental employees; and lobbying for the ratification of 
international treaties concerning CSEC. 
 
(NOTE: Ref A mislabeled question 22 by skipping E and I; Post 
has labeled it E-H instead of the F-J.  END NOTE.) 
 
Question 23. 
 
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS: 
 
¶A. DOES THE COUNTRY HAVE A LAW SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITING 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS - BOTH TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL 
EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING FOR NON-SEXUAL PURPOSES (E.G. 
FORCED LABOR)?  IF SO, WHAT IS THE LAW? IF NOT, UNDER WHAT 
OTHER LAWS CAN TRAFFICKERS BE PROSECUTED? FOR EXAMPLE, ARE 
THERE LAWS AGAINST SLAVERY OR THE EXPLOITATION OF 
PROSTITUTION BY MEANS OF COERCION OR FRAUD?  ARE THESE OTHER 
LAWS BEING USED IN TRAFFICKING CASES?  ARE THESE LAWS, TAKEN 
TOGETHER, ADEQUATE TO COVER THE FULL SCOPE OF TRAFFICKING IN 
PERSONS?  The constitution, in Article 59, states that "the 
dignity of the human being is inviolable."  Article 61 of the 
constitution also protects the inviolability of the life of 
Honduran citizens and foreign citizens in Honduras. The law 
prohibits alien smuggling, trafficking for sexual 
exploitation, and the trafficking or sale of children.  In 
August 2005, Congress passed a reform to Chapter 2 of the 
Penal Code that now encompasses almost all forms of 
Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons 
with an increase in penalties and jail time.  The legislation 
was signed on September 28, 2005, ad published on February 
4, 2006 in La Gaceta (th Honduran version of the Federal 
Registrar) makin it enforceable.  Prior to the passage of 
the ne law, there were only various provisions in penal, 
child exploitation, and immigration statutes criinalizing 
trafficking, and enabling the governmet to prosecute 
traffickers.  This new law is a waershed in the GOH's 
efforts to prevent and proseute TIP. 
 
The new legislation now recognizes pubic/private sexual 
exhibition of a minor, trafficing in persons, child 
pornography, and sex tourim as crimes under CSE.  Article 
149 prohibits theTrafficking in Persons and states that TIP 
inclues facilitating, promoting, or executing of 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  013 OF 020 
 
 
recruitment, and detaining, transporting, smuggling, 
delivery, or receiving of persons within or outside of the 
country with the intent of CSE.  Article 149 provides for 
sentences of between 6 and 13 years with additional fines 
between USD 5,300 and USD 26,000.  Those penalties are 
subject to increasing by half in the following instances: if 
the victims is a minor (under 18), if the offender used 
force, intimidation, deceit, or promise of employment; if 
offender supplied drugs or alcohol to victim; if the offender 
took advantage of his business, occupation, or profession; 
and if the offender took advantage of confidence given to him 
by the guardians of the victim, or made payments, 
concessions, or loans to obtains their consent. 
 
Additional reforms to the Criminal Code include outlawing 
psychological and physical involuntary bondage of a minor; 
where if that minor is under the age of 15, it provides a 
sentence of between 10 and 15 years.  If a victim is below 
the age of 18 and above the age of 70 and is continuously 
sexually abused by an individual or individuals who possess 
some authoritative power over the victim, it provides a 
sentence of between 15 and 20 years.  The act to induce 
another person into prostitution with intent to profit from 
it provides a sentence of between 5 and 10 years in prison 
and additional fine of between USD 5,291 to 26, 455.  Any 
forms of exhibition of minors in lewd and lascivious acts 
also provides for a sentence of between 3 and 6 years of 
prison.  In addition, knowingly infecting someone via sexual 
intercourse of an incurable infectious disease or the 
HIV/AIDS virus or aggravated assault involving penetration 
will provide for a sentence of between 15 and 20 years. 
Sexual acts with a minor shall be sanctioned by a 6 to 12 
year imprisonment. 
 
¶B. WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR TRAFFICKERS OF PEOPLE FOR SEXUAL 
EXPLOITATION?  FOR TRAFFICKERS OF PEOPLE FOR LABOR 
EXPLOITATION?  See answer to previous question. 
 
¶C. WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR RAPE OR FORCIBLE SEXUAL 
ASSAULT?  The penalties for rape are 10 to 15 years 
imprisonment.  The penalties are subject to increasing to 15- 
20 years in the following instances: if victim is under the 
age of 14; if victim was deprived of reason or will, or for 
whatever other reasons, was physically incapable of 
resisting; if offender intentionally used any psychologically 
altering substances, including alcohol, in order to diminish 
or annul the will of the victim, including if victim was 
found by offender in such a state; if offender has custody or 
is guardian of victim and takes advantage of being such; and 
if offender commits crime knowing he/she has HIV/AIDS.  Also 
subject to a 15-20 year penalty are rape cases in which the 
victim was pregnant, becomes pregnant as a result of the 
rape, and if the victim is above the age of 70.  Also, all 
rapes are considered public crimes, so a rapist can be 
prosecuted even if the victim does not want to press charges. 
 
-- HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO THE PENALTY FOR TRAFFICKING?  They 
are not as strong as laws prohibiting alien smuggling, 
trafficking for sexual exploitation, and the trafficking or 
sale of children. 
 
¶D. IS PROSTITUTION LEGALIZED OR DECRIMINALIZED? 
SPECIFICALLY, ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PROSTITUTE 
CRIMINALIZED?  ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BROTHEL 
OWNER/OPERATOR, CLIENTS, PIMPS, AND ENFORCERS CRIMINALIZED? 
IF PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL AND REGULATED, WHAT IS THE LEGAL 
MINIMUM AGE FOR THIS ACTIVITY?  Prostitution is legal for 
adults, but illegal for minors.  Article 148 of the Criminal 
Code prohibits promoting or facilitating the prostitution of 
adults and provides for sentences between five and eight 
years and a fine from USD 2,672 to 5,345. 
 
¶E. HAS THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTED ANY CASES AGAINST 
TRAFFICKERS?  Yes (see answer to question 18 B for more 
details).  The GOH is in the process of investigating and 
prosecuting multiple cases against traffickers.  There have 
also been numerous prosecutions against alien smugglers. 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  014 OF 020 
 
 
 
-- IF YES, PROVIDE NUMBERS OF INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, 
CONVICTIONS, AND SENTENCES, INCLUDING DETAILS ON PLEA 
BARGAINS AND FINES.  See 18 B for list of recent 
prosecutions. 
 
-- ARE THE TRAFFICKERS SERVING THE TIME SENTENCED? IF NO, WHY 
NOT?  See 18 B for list of recent prosecutions. 
 
-- PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE THIS 
INFORMATION, AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?   Yes, the GOH is able to 
provide this information once prosecutions are complete. 
 
¶F. IS THERE ANY INFORMATION OR REPORTS OF WHO IS BEHIND THE 
TRAFFICKING?  Most traffickers are suspected to be Honduran, 
Guatemalan, or Mexican "coyotes" and, in some cases, they are 
Chinese or Taiwanese traffickers. 
 
-- ARE THERE ANY REPORTS OF WHERE PROFITS FROM TRAFFICKING IN 
PERSONS ARE BEING CHANNELED?  Post is unaware of any reports 
regarding this. 
 
-- ARE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INVOLVED?  There is no evidence 
of the involvement of high-ranking Government officials in 
trafficking.  However, there have been ongoing corruption 
problems in Honduran Immigration during 2005-6.  As 
previously stated, individual low-ranking and mid-level 
employees of various Government agencies have been accused of 
taking bribes for alien smuggling/TIP. 
 
-- ARE THERE ANY REPORTS OF WHERE PROFITS FROM TRAFFICKING IN 
PERSONS ARE BEING CHANNELED?  The Special Prosecutor for 
Organized Crime reports that funds that have been captured in 
the transnational TIP-related cases above have been in the 
form of cash, vehicles, houses, and household goods. 
 
¶G. DOES THE GOVERNMENT ACTIVELY INVESTIGATE CASES OF 
TRAFFICKING?  Yes, Immigration, with the Frontier Police as 
their enforcement arm and the Division of Migration Police 
investigators in the DGSEI and DATESI and the Special 
Prosecutor Against Organized Crime and the Special Prosecutor 
for Children, actively investigate cases of trafficking. 
 
-- DOES THE GOVERNMENT USE ACTIVE INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES IN 
TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS?  Yes. 
 
-- TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE UNDER DOMESTIC LAW, ARE TECHNIQUES 
SUCH AS ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS AND 
MITIGATED PUNISHMENT OR IMMUNITY FOR COOPERATING SUSPECTS 
USED BY THE GOVERNMENT?  Electronic surveillance can be 
carried out for a determined length of time if authorized by 
a judge.  Normally the judge grants 15 days, and an 
additional 15 days can be requested.  The evidence can be 
used in court. 
 
-- DOES THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE OR OTHER LAWS PROHIBIT 
THE POLICE FROM ENGAGING IN COVERT OPERATIONS?  Honduran law 
forbids undercover operations, and evidence gathered through 
such operations is not generally admissible in court. 
However, according to the Supreme Court president, there are 
some limited ways of conducting undercover operations.  In 
certain cases, with the approval of the prosecutor and the 
defense, mitigated punishment and immunity for cooperating 
suspects can be used by the GOH.  This is a provision under 
the relatively new Code of Criminal Procedures. 
 
¶H. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE ANY SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN HOW TO RECOGNIZE, INVESTIGATE, AND 
PROSECUTE INSTANCES OF TRAFFICKING?  Yes, with the assistance 
of the USG.  The Embassy has spent USD 350,000 in 2003-2005 
in ESF Police Assistance Funds to support the Frontier Police 
to, among other goals, prevent and interdict the 
transportation of illegal immigrants, including trafficking 
in persons.  Since 2002, U.S. Border Patrol has trained 
Frontier Police and Migration Police investigators on 
combating trafficking in persons, alien smuggling, and the 
protection of trafficking victims.  Since 2004, NAS has 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  015 OF 020 
 
 
received USD 1,063,184 to assist the different units of the 
Honduran Police.  This assistance has been broken down as 
follows: Joint Information Coordinated Center (JICC): USD 
194,142; Special Vetted Unit: USD 215,000; Combined 
Operations: 447,183; Frontier Police: 206,859.  Four courses 
were carried out in 2004, using the U.S. Border Patrol to 
teach investigation courses focusing on trafficking in 
persons and alien smuggling.  The U.S. Border Patrol was in 
Honduras from January - November 2005, giving a continuous 
assessment to the Frontier Police. The Embassy is spending 
USD 320,000 in 2004-2006 in funds from G/TIP to provide 
training, technical assistance, equipment to police 
investigators and prosecutors on TIP, as well as public 
awareness campaigns on TIP.  In addition, G/TIP spent 
approximately USD 43,000 in Honduras to fund Department of 
Justice Office of Prosecutorial Development and Training 
(OPDAT) classes November 16-18, 2004, for Honduran judges on 
TIP and TIP-related crimes.  In January 2005, IOM using PRM 
funding, implemented a well-attended two-day seminar on 
trafficking to train mid- and high-level GOH officials on all 
aspects of the problem, from issues of definitions and 
terminology to case studies, international agreements, and 
national legislation.  The Deputy Director of the Migration 
Police, who attended the IOM training, subsequently used the 
seminar materials to train all of her staff on recognizing 
and investigating TIP.  The GOH has also received training 
from the Spanish police in Internet crimes, which should help 
the GOH investigate cases of internet-based CSEC, such as 
child pornography.  Local CSEC commissions have done some 
training after CSE/TIPC seminars were held in their 
municipalities, including the training of local authorities 
and civil society in Tela.  The GOH, in collaboration with 
several NGOs and other GOH entities, was able to carry out 17 
seminars on CSEC to 740 justice operatives. 
 
¶I. DOES THE GOVERNMENT COOPERATE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN 
THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING CASES?  Yes. 
There has been cooperation between GOH officials and 
governments of countries where Honduran citizens are 
trafficking victims, including Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and 
the U.S.  For example, the Special Prosecutor for Children is 
working with her counterpart in Guatemala on locating and 
repatriating Honduran children who are victims of CSE/TIP in 
Guatemala. 
 
¶J. DOES THE GOVERNMENT EXTRADITE PERSONS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH 
TRAFFICKING IN OTHER COUNTRIES? DOES THE GOVERNMENT EXTRADITE 
ITS OWN NATIONALS CHARGED WITH SUCH OFFENSES?  The Honduran 
constitution prohibits the extradition of Honduran citizens 
(Article 102).  This is unlikely to be changed in the near 
future.  Honduras currently has extradition treaties with 
most countries in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama), Colombia, Mexico, Italy, 
and the U.S.  The treaties allow for the extradition of non- 
Honduran citizens from Honduras.  To the best of Post's 
knowledge, the issue of extraditing non-Hondurans charged 
with trafficking in other countries has not yet been tested. 
 
¶K. IS THERE EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN OR 
TOLERANCE OF TRAFFICKING, ON A LOCAL OR INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL? 
There is no institutional-level involvement in or tolerance 
of trafficking.  However, there have been ongoing corruption 
problems in Honduran Immigration during 2005-6.  There have 
also been other cases of low-level and mid-level corruption, 
as previously noted. 
 
¶L. IF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED IN TRAFFICKING, WHAT 
STEPS HAS THE GOVERNMENT TAKEN TO END SUCH PARTICIPATION?  As 
previously mentioned, there is no institutional-level 
involvement in or tolerance of trafficking.  However, there 
have been ongoing corruption problems in Honduran Immigration 
during 2005-6. 
 
-- HAVE ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BEEN PROSECUTED FOR 
INVOLVEMENT IN TRAFFICKING OR TRAFFICKING-RELATED CORRUPTION? 
Not to the best of Post's knowledge, but as previously noted 
there are ongoing alien smuggling-related investigations of 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  016 OF 020 
 
 
low-ranking national and municipal officials in Ocotepeque, 
Copan, and San Pedro Sula.  The Director of Immigration, who 
was fired and arrested in May 2005, was charged with crimes 
relating to abuse of authority and facilitating the illegal 
entry into Honduras, partly for alien smuggling, but not TIP. 
His case is still pending. 
 
¶M. IF THE COUNTRY HAS AN IDENTIFIED CHILD SEX TOURISM PROBLEM 
(AS A SOURCE OR DESTINATION), HOW MANY FOREIGN PEDOPHILES HAS 
THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTED OR DEPORTED/EXTRADITED TO THEIR 
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN?  DOES THE COUNTRY'S CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 
LAWS HAVE EXTRATERRITORIAL COVERAGE (LIKE THE U.S. PROTECT 
ACT)?  Honduras has some child sex tourism on the North Coast 
and in San Pedro Sula, although the extent is unclear.  The 
March 2002 Casa Alianza report mentioned above found 25 cases 
of CSEC in which the victims had sexual relations with 
foreigners.  These cases were concentrated on the North Coast 
and in San Pedro Sula.  The 2002 ILO/IPEC study mentioned 
above found that 46.5 percent of the CSEC victims in San 
Pedro Sula had had relations with foreign tourists.  The 
CIPRODEH study also mentioned above notes the possible 
existence of child sex tourism in the Department of Atlantida 
(North Coast).  Post has not seen evidence on any organized 
promotion of Honduras as a child sex tourism destination. 
See 18 B for information on Americans prosecuted for crimes 
against children.  Post notes that most foreign pedophiles 
after initial arrest, or once under investigation, flee the 
country before GOH is able to prosecute.  Post has not found 
information on the prosecution or deportation of non-American 
foreign pedophiles.  Honduras's child sexual abuse laws do 
not have extraterritorial coverage, but sex tourism is 
included in the reform to the penal code on CSE/TIP.  One 
hotel in Tegucigalpa is currently under investigation for 
permitting use of the hotel for CSEC.  The penalties for 
hotel owners found guilty are significant and could be used 
also in connection to child sex tourism. 
 
¶N. HAS THE GOVERNMENT SIGNED AND RATIFIED THE FOLLOWING 
INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS? 
 
-- ILO CONVENTION 182 CONCERNING THE PROHIBITION AND 
IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THE WORST FORMS OF 
CHILD LABOR?  Honduras became a party to ILO Convention 182 
in June 2001. 
 
-- ILO CONVENTION 29 AND 105 ON FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR? 
Yes, the GOH is a party to both conventions. 
 
-- OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE 
CHILD ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN, CHILD PROSTITUTION, AND CHILD 
PORNOGRAPHY? Yes. 
 
-- THE PROTOCOL TO PREVENT, SUPPRESS AND PUNISH TRAFFICKING 
IN PERSONS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, SUPPLEMENTING THE 
UN CONVENTION AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME?  The GOH 
has not signed this protocol.  The Charge and PolOff 
underlined the importance of the GOH signing and becoming a 
party to this protocol in a meeting with the Foreign Minister 
on February 18, 2005.  The Foreign Minister said he would 
look into the issue and update the Embassy on any 
developments.  PolOff followed-up with the Foreign Ministry 
in an October 13, 2005 demarche.  The Charge sent a letter to 
the Foreign Minister on November 8, 2005 on the same issue. 
The Ambassador plans to send a letter to the new Foreign 
Minister in March 2006 urging the GOH's to sign and ratify 
this protocol. 
 
Question 24. 
 
PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS: 
 
¶A. DOES THE GOVERNMENT ASSIST VICTIMS, FOR EXAMPLE, BY 
PROVIDING TEMPORARY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY STATUS, RELIEF 
FROM DEPORTATION, SHELTER AND ACCESS TO LEGAL, MEDICAL AND 
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES? IF YES, PLEASE EXPLAIN.  IHNFA runs 
three centers for children, one in San Pedro Sula and two in 
Tegucigalpa, where it sends repatriated children before they 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  017 OF 020 
 
 
are transferred to longer-term care in coordination with the 
prosecutors for children.  In 2000, the GOH inaugurated two 
Centers for the Attention of Returned Migrants in Tegucigalpa 
and San Pedro Sula to assist Hondurans deported from other 
countries to relocate in the country.  The centers' 
activities continue with the assistance of international 
organizations, including IOM and NGOs, and until recently 
received funding from PRM via IOM.  The GOH, with the 
technical assistance of the IOM, is currently seeking funding 
for the centers from DHS/ICE.  As mentioned above, IOM and 
Immigration opened a migrant transition center in Choluteca 
in July 2004 that will be available for trafficking victims, 
although its primary purpose will be to house detained third 
country nationals awaiting deportation. 
 
Casa Alianza runs three shelters, one of which is for girls 
who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.  This 
shelter was designed to expand efforts by Casa Alianza, which 
previously provided shelter to 160 children.  It has a 
capacity for 20 girls and currently houses 16, from ages 12 
to 17.  This shelter provides complete legal, medical, and 
psychological assistance.  There are NGO programs, such as 
the San Juan Bosco Center Project, which supports efforts to 
eradicate child labor in the informal sector in the city of 
Tela, particularly targeting girls that are victims of CSEC. 
Project PRODIM is seeking to help girls involved in 
prostitution in the city of Comayaguela, part of Tegucigalpa. 
There is also a women's shelter funded by the Irish Catholic 
Church assistance organization Trocaire that houses 15 
victims of violence who are in need of protection as they 
press charges against their abusers.  This shelter also has a 
non-residential program of assistance to 100 prostitutes, 
including training in alternative means of income generation. 
On April 22, 2004, Casa Alianza signed an agreement with the 
Ministry of Government and Justice and the Directorate of 
Immigration to protect CSE/TIP victims outside Honduras, and 
the GOH committed to informing Casa Alianza of any 
repatriation of minors.  In practice, IHNFA, as the GOH 
entity responsible for child welfare, has retained the 
central role in this agreement. 
 
Two GOH/IOM/Casa Alianza fact-finding trips were focused on 
the repatriation of deported minors: one in November 2004 and 
one in January 2005, both to border areas in the state of 
Ocotepeque.  GOH was supposed to build a shelter in Santa Fe, 
Ocotepeque with support from the Office of the First Lady, 
IOM, and UNICEF.  However, instead the GOH formed a strategic 
alliance with the Catholic Church in Yunque, Ocotepeque where 
there is a well-established shelter.  As part of this 
alliance, IHNFA and IOM will handle USD 35,157 yearly and use 
of the IOM donated vehicle and other equipment in order to 
help returned minors, women and handicapped migrants in 
Ocotepeque.  The location of this shelter is critical since 
all Hondurans who are repatriated from Mexico and Guatemala 
by land go through the border crossing in Ocotepeque.  The 
GOH reported in February 2005 that 75,000 illegal Hondurans 
were deported from Mexico in 2004, compared to 53,000 in 2003 
and 35,000 in 2002. 
 
-- DOES THE COUNTRY HAVE VICTIM CARE AND VICTIM HEALTH CARE 
FACILITIES? IF SO, CAN POST PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS 
PLACED IN THESE CARE FACILITIES?  There is limited public 
health care in Honduras due to financial limitations.  There 
is one NGO-run shelter for battered women and children in 
Tegucigalpa that can accommodate 20 women and their families. 
The Canadian aid agency has funded two similar shelters, one 
in Choluteca and one in San Pedro Sula.  There are a few 
other private centers for battered women that offer legal, 
medical, and psychological assistance, but not physical 
shelter. 
 
¶B. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE FUNDING OR OTHER FORMS OF 
SUPPORT TO FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC NGOS FOR SERVICES TO VICTIMS? 
PLEASE EXPLAIN.  No.  As noted previously, the Government, as 
in virtually every sector of victim assistance, lacks the 
resources necessary to assist victims of trafficking.  It is 
not able to fund any NGOs to work in this area.  However, the 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  018 OF 020 
 
 
GOH works closely with NGOs on TIP.  Several GOH entities, 
international organizations, and NGOs have participated in an 
inter-institutional working group that developed a national 
plan against CSEC for 2003-2006. 
 
¶C. IS THERE A SCREENING OR REFERRAL PROCESS IN PLACE, WHEN 
APPROPRIATE, TO TRANSFER VICTIMS DETAINED, ARRESTED OR PLACED 
IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO NGOS 
THAT PROVIDE SHORT- OR LONG-TERM CARE?  As previously stated, 
the GOH works closely with several NGOs, including Casa 
Alianza and NGOs that focus on domestic violence.  For 
minors, law enforcement coordinates with IHNFA and the office 
of the Special Prosecutor for Children to arrange for care to 
be provided in GOH-run centers or by NGOs such as Casa 
Alianza.  Casa Alianza reports that victims at its CSEC 
shelter are referred in five ways: by the organization's 
"street educators," which provide assistance to CSEC victims 
on the street, by the prosecutors for children, by IHNFA if 
its own centers are not adequate, and by their families or by 
themselves (they or their families learn about the shelter 
through Casa Alianza's community outreach).  In the case of 
women, victims are referred to the Women's Rights Center and 
women's health centers by the GOH. 
 
¶D. ARE THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS RESPECTED, OR ARE THEY ALSO 
TREATED AS CRIMINALS? ARE VICTIMS DETAINED, JAILED OR 
DEPORTED? IF DETAINED OR JAILED, FOR HOW LONG?  ARE VICTIMS 
FINED? ARE VICTIMS PROSECUTED FOR VIOLATIONS OF OTHER LAWS, 
SUCH AS THOSE GOVERNING IMMIGRATION OR PROSTITUTION?  Post is 
unaware of any cases of victims of trafficking being arrested 
in Honduras, although there is the possibility that third 
country nationals that are trafficking victims might have 
been arrested for Honduran immigration violations.  As 
previously noted, prostitution by adults is legal in 
Honduras. 
 
¶E. DOES THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGE VICTIMS TO ASSIST IN THE 
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING?  The GOH 
actively seeks information on alien smuggling and trafficking 
from victims. 
 
-- MAY VICTIMS FILE CIVIL SUITS OR SEEK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST 
THE TRAFFICKERS?  Yes. 
 
-- DOES ANYONE IMPEDE THE VICTIMS' ACCESS TO SUCH LEGAL 
REDRESS?  No, however, because of widespread corruption in 
the judiciary, a victim of moderate means would face 
formidable legal obstacles against a well-financed accused 
trafficker. 
 
-- IF A VICTIM IS A MATERIAL WITNESS IN A COURT CASE AGAINST 
THE FORMER EMPLOYER, IS THE VICTIM PERMITTED TO OBTAIN OTHER 
EMPLOYMENT OR TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY?  There has been some 
witness protection and relocation in other court cases. 
 
-- IS THERE A VICTIM RESTITUTION PROGRAM?  Victims may seek 
compensation for pain and suffering within the penal process 
or separately. 
 
¶F. WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION IS THE GOVERNMENT ABLE TO PROVIDE 
FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES?  DOES IT PROVIDE THESE PROTECTIONS 
IN PRACTICE?  As previously stated, there has been some 
witness protection and relocation in other court cases.  In 
November 2004 the GOH released a "Provisional Strategy for 
the Protection of Witnesses, Experts, Victims, and Others 
Involved in the Penal Process."  This is currently a 
government policy, but the Inter-institutional Commission of 
Penal Justice is formulating a draft law that will go to the 
Supreme Court for its judicial opinion and then to Congress 
for action.  This commission includes the Supreme Court, 
Public Ministry, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of 
Government and Justice, Congress, and the Public Defender's 
Office. 
 
-- WHAT TYPE OF SHELTER OR SERVICES DOES THE GOVERNMENT 
PROVIDE?  DOES IT PROVIDE SHELTER OR ANY OTHER BENEFITS TO 
VICTIMS FOR HOUSING OR OTHER RESOURCES IN ORDER TO AID THE 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  019 OF 020 
 
 
VICIMS IN REBUILDING THEIR LIVES?  The GOH does not provide 
shelter or housing benefits in order to aid victims 
rebuilding their lives primarily because it lacks the 
resources to do so. 
 
-- WHERE ARE CHILD VICTIMS PLACED?  The NGO Casa Alianza has 
some shelters that act as temporary foster-care type systems. 
Depending on the case, IHNFA may have jurisdiction over 
determining the child's relocation. 
 
¶G. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE ANY SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN HOW TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO 
TRAFFICKED VICTIMS, INCLUDING THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF TRAFFICKED 
CHILDREN?  As previously stated, Frontier Police and 
Migration Police investigators continue to be trained by U.S. 
Border Patrol on combating trafficking in persons and alien 
smuggling, including training on the protection of 
trafficking victims.  The GOH does not have the resources to 
provide this training itself; it relies on international 
assistance to implement TIP-specific training. 
 
-- DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE TRAINING TO ITS EMBASSIES AND 
CONSULATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT ARE DESTINATION OR 
TRANSIT COUNTRIES?  Yes.  Honduran Consular Officers receive 
general training in assistance to Honduran citizens living 
abroad prior to being assigned to an embassy or consulate. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Affairs' Office has 
said that Honduran Consular Officers in countries with large 
numbers of trafficking victims (Guatemala and Mexico, as well 
as the U.S.) are especially attuned to the problems of 
migrants, including those who are victims of trafficking. 
 
-- DOES IT URGE THOSE EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO DEVELOP 
ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NGOS THAT SERVE TRAFFICKED 
VICTIMS?  Yes.  Honduran Consular Officers work with Casa 
Alianza to help trafficking victims.  Due to limited 
government funds, GOH officials, including embassy/consular 
employees, work with host country governments, international 
organizations, and NGO's to help finance the repatriation of 
Hondurans trafficking victims in other countries. 
 
¶H. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS MEDICAL 
AID, SHELTER, OR FINANCIAL HELP, TO ITS REPATRIATED NATIONALS 
WHO ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING?  As previously stated, in 
2000, the GOH inaugurated two Centers for the Attention of 
Returned Migrants in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula to assist 
Hondurans deported from other countries to relocate in the 
country.  The centers' activities continued during the year, 
with the assistance of international organizations, including 
IOM and NGOs.  As previously noted, in Yunque, Ocotepeque, 
the GOH has formed an alliance with the Catholic Church, IOM, 
and IHNFA to help returned minors, women with children and 
handicapped migrants.  Also as noted previously, the 
Government, as in virtually every sector, lacks the resources 
necessary to address this problem sufficiently. 
 
¶I. WHICH NGOS, IF ANY, WORK WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS?  Casa 
Alianza works closely with children who are trafficking 
victims.  Other NGOs that work with trafficking victims 
include Save the Children UK, the Women's Rights Center, and 
the Center for the Study of Women - Honduras (CEM-H). 
 
-- WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES DO THEY PROVIDE?  Casa Alianza 
assists in the repatriation of trafficking victims and 
provides shelter and assistance for victims of trafficking 
and commercial sexual exploitation.  Other NGOs provide 
information and support services. 
 
-- WHAT SORT OF COOPERATION DO THEY RECEIVE FROM LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES?  Several NGOs, especially Casa Alianza, work 
closely with the GOH on TIP and receive good cooperation. 
 
Question 25: TIP HEROES: 
 
Note: The nominee has been vetted by Post and has no visa 
ineligibilities or other derogatory information.  End Note. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000459  020 OF 020 
 
 
Post would like to nominate the following individuals as TIP 
heroines: 
 
Special Prosecutor for Children Nora Suyapa Urbina Pineda is 
a high-profile voice calling for stronger efforts against 
TIP, especially CSEC.  Urbina worked tirelessly for the 
passage of the anti-CSE/TIP legislation and frequently made 
public statements about CSEC and other crimes against 
children.  She has been very aggressive in using her office 
to combat CSEC, including raids of centers of possible 
underage prostitution. 
 
Ambassador Maria Soledad Funes Donaire de Ramirez Soto was 
the GOH delegate to the OAS Inter-American Commission on 
Women and the principal driving force behind the recent 
successful efforts to reform the penal code to enable 
stronger prosecution of commercial sexual exploitation and 
other trafficking crimes.  She worked to galvanize support 
within the GOH for anti-TIP efforts, especially through the 
inter-institutional commission on CSEC.  She has also been a 
strong high-profile voice for raising awareness of these 
crimes in Honduras.  Although she no longer has an official 
GOH position, she bears much of the credit for the new 
TIP/CSE legislation. 
 
Question 26. 
 
BEST PRACTICES: 
 
The Inter-institutional Commission on CSEC has grown to 
include 52 GOH entities, NGOs, and international 
organizations, and has been instrumental in unifying these 
disparate organizations around the goal of combating CSE/TIP. 
The commission has served as a forum for discussing 
legislation related to TIP, the National Plan of Action, and 
the anti-CSEC efforts of the members so as to complement and 
not duplicate efforts.  The Embassy has worked closely with 
this commission to bring in U.S. speakers, both from a NGO 
and G/TIP, to address regional seminars held on preventing 
and combating CSE/TIPC. 
 
Ford