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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 15 TEGUCIGALPA 000432 
 
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 2006/2007 
 
REF: A. 06 STATE 202745 (2007 TIP REPORT INSTRUCTIONS) 
     ¶B. 05 TEGUCIGALPA 459 (2005/2006 TIP REPORT) 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  The following is the 2006/2007 Anti-Trafficking in 
Persons (TIP) Report input for Honduras, responding to 
questions posed in the checklist.  Post point of contact is 
Vice Consul Jason McInerney, phone: 011-504-238-5114 x 4152, 
IVG phone: 539-4152, fax 011-504-237-1792, and unclassified 
email.  One FS-4 spent 55 hours in preparation of this 
report, one LES spent 20 hours in preparation of this report, 
and one FS-3 spent 10 hours in preparation of this report. 
 
Detailed answers to the questions raised in the checklist are 
below. 
 
Question 27.  OVERVIEW 
 
¶A. IS HONDURAS A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, TRANSIT, OR DESTINATION 
FOR INTERNATIONALLY TRAFFICKED MEN, WOMEN, OR CHILDREN?  Yes. 
 Honduras is a point of origin and transit for 
internationally trafficked women and children. 
 
-- PROVIDE, WHERE POSSIBLE, NUMBERS OR ESTIMATES FOR EACH 
GROUP; HOW THEY WERE TRAFFICKED, TO WHERE, AND FOR WHAT 
PURPOSE.  There are no authoritative numbers available.  Post 
estimates there are significantly more than 100 
internationally trafficked victims.  The most common form of 
international trafficking is Commercial Sexual Exploitation 
(CSE) of children. 
 
-- DOES THE TRAFFICKING OCCUR WITHIN THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS? 
Trafficking also occurs within the country,s borders. 
 
-- DOES IT OCCUR IN TERRITORY OUTSIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S 
CONTROL (E.G. IN A CIVIL WAR SITUATION)?  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?  Though there are no 
authoritative numbers available, post estimates that there 
are in the range of 10,000 internally and internationally 
trafficked victims.  The majority are trafficked to large 
cities within Honduras while the remainder are trafficked 
internationally, primarily to Guatemala and Mexico. 
 
In its National Action Plan against CSE of children, which 
was published in June 2006, the GOH cites two specific 
statistics.  The first is from an investigation, by Save the 
Children UK in 1999, which uncovered 2280 cases of child CSE 
in the greater Tegucigalpa area alone.  The second statistic 
cited by the GOH is from NGO Casa Alianza, which bears the 
primary burden of caring for abused or abandoned children, 
including victims of TIP.  Casa Alianza's current estimate is 
10,000 TIP victims in the major and moderately sized cities 
throughout Honduras.  PolOff has discussed these statistics 
with police, prosecutors and NGOs, never once receiving 
conflicting estimates. 
 
-- WHAT IS (ARE) THE SOURCE(S) OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS OR WHAT PLANS ARE IN PLACE (IF ANY) TO 
UNDERTAKE DOCUMENTATION OF TRAFFICKING? 
 
Generally speaking, available sources of information could 
include Honduran government officials in the Ministry of 
Government and Justice, including Immigration; the Ministry 
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 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  002 OF 015 
 
 
(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. 
 
It is worth noting the extreme difficulty in extracting 
numbers of TIP complaints, cases investigated, prosecuted or 
convicted due to the GOH,s decentralized system of 
identifying, collecting and handling TIP cases.  Starting in 
April 2007 the GOH plans to begin a nationwide system to 
track all forms of criminal complaints, including TIP.  This 
database would include the initial complaint and any 
subsequent investigation, prosecution or adjudication of the 
case. 
 
-- HOW RELIABLE ARE THE NUMBERS AND THESE SOURCES?  The 
sources are reliable; however, very few of the potential 
sources have suggested actual numbers since such statistics 
are generally unavailable in Honduras.  Nonetheless, post 
expects the estimate of 10,000 TIP victims is relatively 
accurate for the following reasons: (1) it comes from Casa 
Alianza, a long-time and well respected NGO most involved in 
aiding TIP victims; (2) it is a logical extrapolation from 
the 2280 victims found in Tegucigalpa alone, and (3) no one 
in the GOH, IO or NGO community we spoke to disagreed with 
the estimate. 
 
-- ARE CERTAIN GROUPS OF PERSONS MORE AT RISK OF BEING 
TRAFFICKED (E.G. WOMEN AND CHILDREN, BOYS VERSUS GIRLS, 
CERTAIN ETHNIC GROUPS, REFUGEES, ETC.)?  Girls and women are 
trafficked more often than boys or men.  According to a 2003 
Casa Alianza study of victims inside Honduras, 98% of victims 
are girls and 2% are boys.  As of PolOff meeting with Casa 
Alianza in January 2007 this estimate has become 96% girls 
and 4% boys.  Internationally, most victims start as economic 
migrants, heading through Guatemala and Mexico before 
attempting illegal entry to the US.  Along the way some of 
these migrants can be sold or forced into CSE.  Casa Alianza 
reports a case of a Honduran mother selling her minor 
daughter in Mexico for $50 to finance her onward journey 
toward the US.  Due to its illegal nature accurate estimates 
of the magnitude or gender balance of this population flow is 
difficult; however, the existing data suggest boys make up 
the majority of underage illegal immigrants.  Whether greater 
representation translates to greater risk of CSE is unknown. 
The Honduran Center for Returned Migrants stated there were 
187 minors repatriated to Honduras from January to May 2005, 
of whom 165 were boys and 22 were girls. 
 
 
¶B. PLEASE PROVIDE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE TRAFFICKING 
SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY AND ANY CHANGES SINCE THE LAST TIP 
REPORT (E.G. CHANGES IN DIRECTION). 
 
Overview 
-------- 
 
Honduras is a source and transit country for women and 
children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. 
Many victims are Honduran children trafficked from rural 
areas to urban and tourist centers such as Tegucigalpa, San 
Pedro Sula, the North Caribbean coast and the Bay Islands. 
Honduran women and children are predominantly trafficked to 
Guatemala, Mexico and the United States.  Most foreign 
victims trafficked into Honduras for commercial sexual 
exploitation come from neighboring countries. 
 
Domestically, Casa Alianza estimates the number of TIP/CSE 
victims will increase in the future.  Roatan (the most 
popular of the Bay Islands) is a destination for CSE of 
children, and they believe the problem is worsening.  Cruise 
ships are bringing an increasing number of tourists, 
including customers for underage prostitution.  Traditionally 
from the United States, these tourists now also come from 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  003 OF 015 
 
 
Canada, Europe and Costa Rica.  Internet sites specifically 
lure CSE customers from developed countries to Honduras.  As 
stated in the Honduran National Action Plan against TIP, 50% 
of the population are minors, 65.8% live in poverty by 
Honduran standards, and 47.1% live in extreme poverty. 
Recent data from the GOH Household Survey suggests the 
poverty rate has dropped to 61% overall, as the economy 
continues a strong growth trend and remittances from abroad 
expand dramatically. 
 
Internationally, most Honduran victims start as economic 
migrants heading through Guatemala and Mexico before 
attempting illegal entry to the United States.  Along the way 
some of these migrants can be sold or forced into commercial 
sexual exploitation.  The quantity of illegal migrants from 
Honduras to the United States is immense.  Casa Alianza 
estimates between 80,000 and 100,000 Hondurans successfully 
migrate illegally to the US annually.  More attempt the 
journey; Mexico alone deports 15,000 Honduran children each 
year. 
 
Honduras is also a transit country for economic migrants 
heading from third countries to the United States.  According 
to the Director of Honduran Immigration, 302 Cubans entered 
Honduras on their way to the US in the first six months of 
2006 alone.  It should be noted that Cubans are far more 
likely to identify themselves to Honduran authorities since 
their nationality allows them to request asylum once in the 
US.  There were dozens of Chinese heading to the US who came 
to the attention of Honduran Immigration over the last 18 
months; presumably there are many more who escape GOH 
attention. 
 
A new law that came into effect on 4 Feb 2006, sets increased 
penalties and specifically makes trafficking a crime. 
Penalties involve longer imprisonment in six areas: incest, 
lechery, abuse, prostitution, pornography and knowingly 
infecting someone with AIDS.  As of February 2007, no cases 
have been prosecuted under this new law.  The number of cases 
investigated and brought to trial under traditional laws has 
decreased slightly from 2005 to 2006. 
 
Lastly, as mentioned in the Honduran National Action Plan 
against TIP, portions of Honduran society do not feel that 
CSE of children is a crime, especially when the victim is 
over age 12.  The Special Prosecutor for Children explained 
to PolOff that she routinely meets with the media and uses 
the new TIP law to highlight the fact that CSEC is illegal, 
carries hefty jail sentences, and that therefore CSEC is 
wrong and should not be tolerated. 
 
-- ALSO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE POLITICAL WILL TO ADDRESS 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.  The GOH is strongly opposed to 
trafficking in persons, and the Feb 2006 law is a clear 
signal that the GOH is paying attention to TIP.  In 2005 
there were 37 formal investigations of TIP with 17 
prosecutions and 10 convictions.  In 2006 those numbers 
declined somewhat, to 24 investigations, 17 prosecutions and 
8 convictions.  While not having an independent budget, the 
number of prosecutors assigned to children,s issues (and 
therefore most likely to deal with TIP cases) is large 
compared to the number of prosecutors for other crimes, and 
the children,s issues prosecutors enjoy a relatively greater 
level of support from their parent Public Ministry. 
Specifically, there are 13 prosecutors in Tegucigalpa, five 
in San Pedro Sula and two in La Ceiba, along with eight 
special child abuse investigators in Tegucigalpa, four of 
whom focus on CSEC.  On the financial front, the Public 
Ministry has not received budget increases beyond a nominal 
amount for inflation over the past several years.  Police are 
plagued by lack of manpower and equipment, often including 
vehicles, fuel and cameras, for even basic investigative 
work.  The GOH does not run any shelters for TIP victims, 
instead allowing this burden to be shouldered by various NGOs 
and IOs. 
 
Honduras has created an Inter-Institutional Committee to 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  004 OF 015 
 
 
address TIP concerns.  Made up of representatives from the 
prosecutors, police and NGOs, this committee has created 
National Action Plan against CSE of children.  The plan was 
published in June 2006.  In Post,s opinion the plan is well 
written and well thought out, mentioning a variety of factors 
that enable TIP/CSE to persist in Honduras, including both 
easily measured factors such as poverty, domestic violence 
and single-parent homes, but also cultural factors such as a 
male-dominated society and a tolerance of CSE among certain 
segments of society.  Unfortunately, to date the GOH has not 
funded any of the requests from the National Action Plan. 
 
-- OTHER ITEMS TO ADDRESS MAY INCLUDE:  WHAT KIND OF 
CONDITIONS ARE THE VICTIMS TRAFFICKED INTO?  WHICH 
POPULATIONS ARE TARGETED BY THE TRAFFICKERS?  WHO ARE THE 
TRAFFICKERS?  WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO APPROACH VICTIMS? (ARE 
THEY OFFERED LUCRATIVE JOBS, SOLD BY THEIR FAMILIES, 
APPROACHED BY FRIENDS OF FRIENDS, ETC.?)  WHAT METHODS ARE 
USED TO MOVE THE VICTIMS (E.G., ARE FALSE DOCUMENTS BEING 
USED?)  Victims are typically trafficked from rural areas, 
which are generally poorer, to medium and large cities. 
According to the Honduras, 2006 National Action Plan against 
child CSE, some factors that make victims vulnerable include 
extreme poverty, domestic violence, drug addiction, dropping 
out from school, and negligence on the part of families. 
There are reports of victims, usually girls, being sold by 
their families.  While false documents could be easily 
obtained, the need for them is low.  International 
trafficking is done by land, and land borders are only 
controlled at specific crossings.  An off-duty Honduran 
border patrol agent remarked to PolOff that people had only 
to walk 100 yards on either side of a border crossing to 
enter illegally.  Gangs, organized crime and human smugglers, 
or &coyotes8 are all reported to be involved in CSE of 
children. 
 
¶C.  WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO 
ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IN PRACTICE?  FOR EXAMPLE, IS FUNDING 
FOR POLICE OR OTHER INSTITUTIONS INADEQUATE?  IS OVERALL 
CORRUPTION A PROBLEM?  DOES THE GOVERNMENT LACK THE RESOURCES 
TO AID VICTIMS?  There are three significant limitations on 
the government,s ability to address TIP: lack of resources; 
corruption; and the routine dismissal of government employees 
of all ranks each time the ruling party changes.  These 
routine dismissals of government employees rob the GOH of 
institutional knowledge and technical ability, and require 
the GOH to start from scratch each time the ruling party 
changes.  These same limitations apply to virtually every law 
enforcement sector. 
 
Two other items are worthy of note.  First, while Honduras is 
a developing country and the GOH has significant budget 
constraints, there is an opportunity for improvement.  The 
former administration reduced the national debt through 
payments and debt forgiveness so the GOH now has more 
disposable income than in previous years.  This has allowed 
for the police budget to be increased by 20% - a significant 
increase though still insufficient to establish rule of law 
in many facets of life in Honduras.  Whether the GOH will use 
its additional funds wisely, or on politically motivated 
priorities, remains to be seen. 
 
Second, the GOH has traditionally underfunded police 
investigators, who are regarded as the most crucial element 
in the fight against TIP.  The reasons for this were 
explained to PolOff by the Advisor to the National Police 
Minister.  Up until 1994 the military was in charge of law 
enforcement.  When the civilian police forces were initiated, 
they were all patrol officers, with no investigators.  Only 
in 1998 was the DGIC ) the police investigation unit ) 
started.  Initially the DGIC drew white collar civilians, and 
they brought with them a culture of working from 8-4 Monday 
through Friday.  This resulted in the DGIC suffering a lack 
of credibility, since it did not have the appropriate 
personnel to track down criminals on the street.  This lack 
of credibility translated quickly into a lack of budget 
support from the GOH that continues to this day.  Only 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  005 OF 015 
 
 
recently has the DGIC begun to attract career police into its 
ranks.  In 2006 the overall police budget was increased by 
20%, with a corresponding manpower increase of 20%.  DGIC has 
added 165 personnel in 2006, which represents approximately a 
10% increase.  Most of these are technically on loan from 
other police sections, as DGIC itself did not receive a 
budget increase. 
 
¶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?  In 2007 the GOH plans to 
unveil a new database that will track all kinds of crimes, 
including TIP/CSE, from the original complaint through final 
adjudication.  Currently, the GOH has a limited ability to 
monitor its efforts against trafficking.  The 
Inter-Institutional Committee is striving to improve the GOH 
efforts against CSE/TIP.  The NGO Casa Alianza plays an 
important role in monitoring GOH efforts. 
 
 
¶28. PREVENTION: 
 
¶A. DOES THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TRAFFICKING IS A 
PROBLEM IN THE COUNTRY?  IF NOT, WHY NOT?  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?  In terms of 
providing the statistics for investigations, prosecutions and 
convictions, the Prosecutor for Children has the lead.  Each 
of the following GOH institutions are involved: 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, GOVERNMENT-RUN ANTI- 
TRAFFICKING INFORMATION OR EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS?  Yes.  In 
terms of public outreach campaigns, the police conducted 10 
training sessions that reached 12,324 members of civil 
society in 2006.  In prior years the UN, UNICEF, Save the 
Children and Casa Alianza have conducted public outreach 
campaigns in conjunction with the GOH.  Past efforts have 
also included public relations campaigns against illegal 
immigration in general, including one sponsored by the USG. 
There have been informational campaigns on women and 
children's rights, including one led by the United Nations 
Development Program (UNDP). 
 
Another side of the education programs should be noted   - 
training of the police themselves.  Civilian police forces 
are relatively new in Honduras, since the military performed 
law enforcement functions until 1994.  Each year the police 
train significant numbers of personnel on TIP and many other 
areas.  The tally for 2006 included 27 training sessions 
which reached 3,433 police.  Additionally, two specialists 
received training in Costa Rica and one in Guatemala. 
 
-- IF SO,BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE CAMPAIGN(S), INCLUDING THEIR 
OBJECTIVES AND EFFECTIVENESS.  DO THESE CAMPAIGNS TARGET 
POTENTIAL TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AND/OR THE DEMAND FOR 
TRAFFICKING (E.G. "CLIENTS" OF PROSTITUTES OR BENEFICIARIES 
OF FORCED LABOR)?  Past campaigns by the UN, UNICEF, Save the 
Children and Casa Alianza have done all of the above, though 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  006 OF 015 
 
 
usually focusing on the potential victims.  However there 
were no campaigns in 2006.  The effectiveness of such 
campaigns is hard to judge. 
 
¶D. DOES THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OTHER PROGRAMS TO PREVENT 
TRAFFICKING? (E.G., TO PROMOTE WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN 
ECONOMIC DECISION-MAKING OR EFFORTS TO KEEP CHILDREN IN 
SCHOOL.)  PLEASE EXPLAIN.  The GOH is making efforts but face 
deep difficulties.  Honduras remains a conservative 
male-dominated society where over 50% of the population are 
minors and the average education level is fifth grade.  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.  There is an Inter-Institutional Committee 
focusing on TIP and made up of police, prosecutors and NGOs 
which created the National Action Plan vs TIP.  The GOH works 
closely with Casa Alianza on CSEC cases. 
 
¶F. DOES THE GOVERNMENT MONITOR IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION 
PATTERNS FOR EVIDENCE OF TRAFFICKING?  DO LAW ENFORCEMENT 
AGENCIES SCREEN FOR POTENTIAL TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ALONG 
BORDERS?  The GOH does limited monitoring of 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 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  007 OF 015 
 
 
trafficking cases. 
 
In 2006 the GOH instituted a new requirement that minors must 
travel with passports.  This law is clearly a positive step. 
However, as previously noted, most CSEC victims and other 
migrants leaving Honduras will do so via means that do not 
require documentation. 
 
¶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?  DOES THE 
GOVERNMENT HAVE A TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS WORKING GROUP OR 
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT?  DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A PUBLIC 
CORRUPTION TASK FORCE?  There is an Inter-Institutional 
Committee focusing on TIP and made up of police, prosecutors 
and NGOs.  This committee created the National Action Plan vs 
CSE.  However, the GOH is not acting upon this plan.  There 
is no single point of contact for TIP ) in fact, attempting 
to find statistics regarding TIP cases investigated, 
prosecuted and adjudicated is extremely difficult.  By way of 
illustration, the police are unable to provide numbers of TIP 
or CSE cases investigated or even the number of complaints 
received.  In practice the most reliable POC is Ms. Nora 
Urbina, the Special Prosecutor for Children, who is able to 
provide nationwide data. 
 
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?  IF SO, WHICH AGENCIES WERE 
INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING IT?  WERE NGOS CONSULTED IN THE 
PROCESS?  WHAT STEPS HAS THE GOVERNMENT TAKEN TO DISSEMINATE 
THE ACTION PLAN?  No.  However there is a National Action 
Plan against CSE, which accounts for the vast majority of TIP 
cases.  The plan was created by police, prosecutors and NGOs. 
 Unfortunately dissemination of the action plan is a moot 
point ) to date the GOH has not funded the plan. 
 
¶29. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS: 
 
For questions A-D, posts should highlight in particular 
whether or not the country has enacted any new legislation 
since the last TIP report. 
 
¶A. DOES THE COUNTRY HAVE A LAW SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITING 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS--BOTH FOR SEXUAL AND NON-SEXUAL 
PURPOSES (E.G. FORCED LABOR)?  IF SO, PLEASE SPECIFICALLY 
CITE THE NAME OF THE LAW AND ITS DATE OF ENACTMENT.  DOES THE 
LAW(S) COVER BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL (TRANSNATIONAL) FORMS 
OF TRAFFICKING? 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 FORCE, FRAUD 
OR COERCION?   ARE THESE OTHER LAWS BEING USED IN TRAFFICKING 
CASES?  ARE THESE LAWS, TAKEN TOGETHER, ADEQUATE TO COVER THE 
FULL SCOPE OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS? PLEASE PROVIDE A FULL 
INVENTORY OF TRAFFICKING LAWS, INCLUDING NON-CRIMINAL 
STATUTES THAT ALLOW FOR CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ALLEGED 
TRAFFICKING CRIMES, (E.G., CIVIL FORFEITURE LAWS AND LAWS 
AGAINST ILLEGAL DEBT.   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, and 
went into force on February 4, 2006.  This new law is a 
watershed in the GOH's efforts to prevent and prosecute TIP. 
Unfortunately, although the law has been in force for over a 
year, no cases have been tried under it. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  008 OF 015 
 
 
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 Trafficking in Persons and states that TIP includes 
facilitating, promoting, or executing of 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. 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 
fines 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 ARE THE PENALTIES FOR TRAFFICKING PEOPLE FOR SEXUAL 
EXPLOITATION?  See answer to previous question. 
 
¶C. PUNISHMENT OF LABOR TRAFFICKING OFFENSES: WHAT ARE THE 
PRESCRIBED AND IMPOSED PENALTIES FOR TRAFFICKING FOR LABOR 
EXPLOITATION, SUCH AS FORCED OR BONDED LABOR AND INVOLUNTARY 
SERVITUDE?  DO THE GOVERNMENT'S LAWS PROVIDE FOR CRIMINAL 
PUNISHMENT -- I.E. JAIL TIME -- FOR LABOR RECRUITERS IN LABOR 
SOURCE COUNTRIES WHO ENGAGE IN RECRUITMENT OF LABORERS USING 
KNOWINGLY FRAUDULENT OR DECEPTIVE OFFERS THAT RESULT IN 
WORKERS BEING EXPLOITED IN THE DESTINATION COUNTRY?  FOR 
EMPLOYERS OR LABOR AGENTS IN LABOR DESTINATION COUNTRIES WHO 
CONFISCATE WORKERS' PASSPORTS OR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, SWITCH 
CONTRACTS WITHOUT THE WORKER'S CONSENT AS A MEANS TO KEEP THE 
WORKER IN A STATE OF SERVICE, OR WITHHOLD PAYMENT OF SALARIES 
AS MEANS OFKEEPING THE WORKER IN A STATE OF SERVICE?  IF 
LAW(S) PRESCRIBE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENTS FOR THESE OFFENSES, 
WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL PUNISHMENTS IMPOSED ON PERSONS CONVICTED 
OF THESE OFFENSES?  There are no specific penalties for labor 
exploitation; however, some of the offenses listed above may 
be covered under other laws.  For example, recruiters of 
victims for CSE can be sentenced to between eight and 13 
years of incarceration. 
 
¶D. WHAT ARE THE PRESCRIBED PENALTIES FOR RAPE OR FORCIBLE 
SEXUAL ASSAULT?  HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO THE PRESCRIBED AND 
IMPOSED PENALTIES FOR CRIMES OF TRAFFICKING FOR COMMERCIAL 
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION?  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 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  009 OF 015 
 
 
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. 
 
¶E. 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? ARE THESE LAWS ENFORCED?  IF 
PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL AND REGULATED, WHAT IS THE LEGAL 
MINIMUM AGE FOR THIS ACTIVITY? NOTE THAT IN MANY COUNTRIES 
WITH FEDERALIST SYSTEMS, PROSTITUTION LAWS MAY BE COVERED BY 
STATE, LOCAL, AND PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES.  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. 
 
¶F. HAS THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTED ANY CASES AGAINST 
TRAFFICKERS?  IF SO, PROVIDE NUMBERS OF INVESTIGATIONS, 
PROSECUTIONS, CONVICTIONS, AND SENTENCES, INCLUDING DETAILS 
ON PLEA BARGAINS AND FINES, IF RELEVANT AND AVAILABLE.  DOES 
THE GOVERNMENT IN A LABOR SOURCE COUNTRY CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE 
LABOR RECRUITERS WHO RECRUIT LABORERS USING KNOWINGLY 
FRAUDULENT OR DECEPTIVE OFFERS OR IMPOSE ON RECRUITED 
LABORERS INAPPROPRIATELY HIGH OR ILLEGAL FEES OR COMMISSIONS 
THAT CREATE A DEBT BONDAGE CONDITION FOR THE LABORER?  DOES 
THE GOVERNMENT IN A LABOR DESTINATION COUNTRY CRIMINALLY 
PROSECUTE EMPLOYERS OR LABOR AGENTS WHO CONFISCATE WORKERS' 
PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, SWITCH CONTRACTS OR TERMS OF 
EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT THE WORKER'S CONSENT, USE PHYSICAL OR 
SEXUAL ABUSE OR THE THREAT OF SUCH ABUSE TO KEEP WORKERS IN A 
STATE OF SERVICE, OR WITHHOLD PAYMENT OF SALARIES AS A MEANS 
TO KEEP WORKERS IN A STATE OF SERVICE?  ARE THE TRAFFICKERS 
SERVING THE TIME SENTENCED: IF NOT, WHY NOT?  PLEASE INDICATE 
WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION, AND IF 
NOT, WHY NOT? (NOTE: COMPLETE ANSWERS TO THIS SECTION ARE 
ESSENTIAL. END NOTE) 
 
In 2005 there were 37 formal investigations of TIP cases with 
17 prosecutions and 10 convictions.  In 2006 those numbers 
declined somewhat, to 24 investigations, 17 prosecutions and 
8 convictions.  The GOH has great difficulty in providing 
information on TIP / CSE cases.  As previously mentioned our 
only source of information on investigations, prosecutions 
and convictions is the Special Prosecutor for Children. 
 
It is worth mentioning that criminals found guilty will serve 
their jail time unless they escape or bribe their way out. 
However, Honduran law mandates that suspects over age 60 be 
placed under house arrest while awaiting trial.  Since a 
significant percentage of CSE customers are older men, the 
house arrest phenomenon allows a distressingly high 
percentage of suspects to disappear and never face trial.  By 
way of illustration, there are eight active cases of AmCits 
arrested for CSE of children.  Of the eight, only two are in 
jail or awaiting trial.  Four more were under house arrest; 
of those two have already  escaped, from their homes.  Two 
additional AmCits escaped or bribed their way out of jail. 
 
¶G. IS THERE ANY INFORMATION OR REPORTS OF WHO IS BEHIND THE 
TRAFFICKING?  FOR EXAMPLE, ARE THE TRAFFICKERS FREELANCE 
OPERATORS, SMALL CRIME GROUPS, AND/OR LARGE INTERNATIONAL 
ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATES?  ARE EMPLOYMENT, TRAVEL, AND 
TOURISM AGENCIES OR MARRIAGE BROKERS FRONTING FOR TRAFFICKERS 
OR CRIME GROUPS TO TRAFFIC INDIVIDUALS? ARE GOVERNMENT 
OFFICIALS INVOLVED?  ARE THERE ANY REPORTS OF WHERE PROFITS 
FROM TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARE BEING CHANNELED?  (E.G. ARMED 
GROUPS, TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, JUDGES, BANKS, ETC.)  Most 
traffickers are suspected to be Honduran, Guatemalan, or 
Mexican "coyotes" and, in some cases, they are Chinese or 
Taiwanese traffickers.  Gangs are involved in human 
smuggling, of both gang members and paying customers, to the 
United States.  Some coyotes and gang members are reported to 
work together; there are also reports of gangs and coyotes 
being in violent competition.  There is no evidence of the 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  010 OF 015 
 
 
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. 
 
¶H. DOES THE GOVERNMENT ACTIVELY INVESTIGATE CASES OF 
TRAFFICKING?  (AGAIN, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON TRAFFICKING 
CASES VERSUS MIGRANT SMUGGLING CASES.) DOES THE GOVERNMENT 
USE ACTIVE INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES IN TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
INVESTIGATIONS?  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?  DOES THE 
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE OR OTHER LAWS PROHIBIT THE POLICE 
FROM ENGAGING IN COVERT OPERATIONS? 
 
Both Honduran police officials and Honduran prosecutors state 
the most significant impediment to stopping TIP is the lack 
of funds and equipment for police investigators. 
Specifically cited are lack of manpower, lack of vehicles, 
lack of fuel for the vehicles and lack of cameras.  Police 
routinely pay for bullets from personal funds.  The following 
points regarding electronic surveillance should be read with 
that background in mind. 
 
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.  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. 
 
¶I. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE ANY SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN HOW TO RECOGNIZE, INVESTIGATE, AND 
PROSECUTE INSTANCES OF TRAFFICKING?  As previously stated the 
police train significant numbers of personnel on TIP and many 
other law enforcement areas.  The tally for 2006 included 27 
training sessions which reached 3,433 police.  Prior years 
have seen a plethora of USG funded programs aimed at illegal 
immigration and anti-narcotics but that also included a TIP 
component.  NAS funding has declined significantly in 2006. 
 
¶J. DOES THE GOVERNMENT COOPERATE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN 
THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING CASES? IF 
POSSIBLE, CAN POST PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF COOPERATIVE 
INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS ON TRAFFICKING?  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 has been working 
with her counterpart in Guatemala on locating and 
repatriating Honduran children who are victims of CSE/TIP in 
Guatemala.  To date 51 Honduran children have been rescued 
from CSEC in Guatemala, and one child each from Belize and 
Nicaragua. 
 
¶K. DOES THE GOVERNMENT EXTRADITE PERSONS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH 
TRAFFICKING IN OTHER COUNTRIES?  IF SO, CAN POST PROVIDE THE 
NUMBER OF TRAFFICKERS EXTRADITED?  DOES THE GOVERNMENT 
EXTRADITE ITS OWN NATIONALS CHARGED WITH SUCH OFFENSES?   IF 
NOT, IS THE GOVERNMENT PROHIBITED BY LAW FORM EXTRADITING ITS 
OWN NATIONALS?  IF SO, IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING TO MODIFY ITS 
LAWS TO PERMIT THE EXTRADITION OF ITS OWN NATIONALS?  The 
Honduran constitution prohibits the extradition of Honduran 
citizens (Article 102).  This is unlikely to change. 
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 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  011 OF 015 
 
 
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. 
 
¶L. IS THERE EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN OR 
TOLERANCE OF TRAFFICKING, ON A LOCAL OR INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL? 
IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN IN DETAIL.  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.  Furthermore, as noted in Post,s 
response to 29F, the practice of allowing suspects over the 
age of 60 to await trial under house arrest effectively 
allows a substantial percentage of CSE suspects to avoid 
trial. 
 
¶M. IF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED IN TRAFFICKING, WHAT 
STEPS HAS THE GOVERNMENT TAKEN TO END SUCH PARTICIPATION? 
HAVE ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BEEN PROSECUTED FOR INVOLVEMENT 
IN TRAFFICKING OR TRAFFICKING- RELATED CORRUPTION?  HAVE ANY 
BEEN CONVICTED?  WHAT SENTENCE(S) WAS IMPOSED?  PLEASE 
PROVIDE SPECIFIC NUMBERS, IF AVAILABLE.  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. 
There are ongoing alien smuggling-related investigations of 
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 illegal entry 
into Honduras, partly for alien smuggling, but not TIP. After 
almost two years, his case is still pending.  In all 
probability it will never go to trial. 
 
¶N. IF THE COUNTRY HAS AN IDENTIFIED CHILD SEX TOURISM PROBLEM 
(AS SOURCE OR DESTINATION), HOW MANY FOREIGN PEDOPHILES HAS 
THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTED OR DEPORTED/EXTRADITED TO THEIR 
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN?  WHAT ARE THE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN FOR SEX 
TOURISTS?  DO THE COUNTRY'S CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE LAWS HAVE 
EXTRATERRITORIAL COVERAGE (SIMILAR TO THE U.S. PROTECT ACT)? 
IF SO, HOW MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S NATIONALS HAVE BEEN 
PROSECUTED AND/OR CONVICTED 
UNDER THE EXTRATERRITORIAL PROVISION(S)?  Honduras is a 
destination for foreign child sex tourists.  The extent is 
unclear, though Casa Alianza states the problem is growing 
worse and no data seem to suggest otherwise (please see 
Post,s response to 27B).  Child sex tourism is centered in 
major cities and the North Coast.  A 2002 ILO/IPEC study 
found that 46.5 percent of the CSEC victims in San Pedro Sula 
had had relations with foreign tourists.  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.  Of the 
eight AmCits currently under investigation for CSE, only two 
are actually in jail.  The rest have escaped, bribed their 
way out of jail, or are under house arrest.  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. 
¶O. HAS THE GOVERNMENT SIGNED, RATIFIED, AND/OR TAKEN STEPS TO 
IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS? PLEASE 
PROVIDE THE DATE OF SIGNATURE/RATIFICATION IF APPROPRIATE. 
 
--ILO CONVENTION 182 CONCERNING THE PROHIBITION AND IMMEDIATE 
ACTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR. 
Yes. --ILO CONVENTION 29 AND 105 ON FORCED OR COMPULSORY 
LABOR.  Yes. --THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE 
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (CRC) 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.  No. 
Despite significant pressure from Post in 2005 and 2006, the 
GOH has not accomplished even the first step of signing the 
protocol, namely, the president,s authorization.  At this 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  012 OF 015 
 
 
point the GOH does not appear to have the political will to 
turn this into law. 
 
¶30. 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 SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN.  DOES THE 
COUNTRY HAVE VICTIM CARE AND VICTIM HEALTH CARE FACILITIES? 
DOES THE COUNTRY HAVE FACILITIES DEDICATED TO HELPING VICTIMS 
OF TRAFFICKING?  IF SO, CAN POST PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF 
VICTIMS PLACED IN THESE CARE FACILITIES?  The NGO Casa 
Alianza has the lead in providing tangible services 
specifically to CSE victims.  Approximately 30 other 
organizations, including the GOH, are involved in related 
matters, such as general assistance to women, children and 
returned migrants.  Unfortunately such assistance only serves 
a small percentage of victims. 
 
Casa Alianza runs three shelters, one of which is for girls 
who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.  As of 
PolOff meeting with Casa Alianza in Jan 2007, there were 70 
victims of CSE in the shelters.  Casa Alianza provides 
complete legal, medical, and psychological assistance.  The 
UN,s focus is on international migration.  In 2006 their 
rehabilitation schools were attended by 53 children 
repatriated from Guatemala and Mexico (but not necessarily 
TIP victims).  There are other 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. 
 
The Honduran National Institute for Children and Family 
(IHNFA) runs three centers for children, one in San Pedro 
Sula and two in Tegucigalpa, where it sends repatriated 
children before they 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, continues 
to seeking funding for the centers from DHS/ICE. 
 
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 (former) 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 IOM donated vehicles 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 2006 that 90,000 illegal Hondurans were deported 
from Mexico in 2005, compared to  75,000 in 2004, 53,000 in 
2003 and 35,000 in 2002. 
 
¶B. DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE FUNDING OR OTHER FORMS OF 
SUPPORT TO FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC NGOS FOR SERVICES TO VICTIMS? 
PLEASE EXPLAIN.  Due to significant financial difficulties, 
the GOH does not provide funding to NGOs; in fact, certain 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  013 OF 015 
 
 
NGOs, such as Casa Alianza, seem to be performing functions 
that should properly be carried out or funded by the GOH. 
Given the financial limitations, however, the GOH has shown 
consistent willingness to work with NGOs and IOs in the fight 
against TIP as well as other related matters, such as 
immigration and child labor. 
 
¶C. DO THE GOVERNMENT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES 
PERSONNEL HAVE A FORMAL SYSTEM OF IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF 
TRAFFICKING AMONG HIGH-RISK PERSONS WITH WHOM THEY COME IN 
CONTACT(E.G. FOREIGN PERSONS ARRESTED FOR PROSTITUTION OR 
IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS)? IS THERE A REFERRAL PROCESS IN 
PLACE, WHEN APPROPRIATE, TO TRANSFER VICTIMS DETAINED, 
ARRESTED OR PLACED IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT 
AUTHORITIES TO NGO'S THAT PROVIDE SHORT- OR LONG-TERM CARE? 
There is no formal system to identify TIP victims.  There is 
a process by which some victims of TIP can be referred to 
Casa Alianza or other organizations for rehabilitation, 
though as previously mentioned the percentage of victims 
assisted by rehabilitation facilities is low. 
 
¶D. ARE THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS RESPECTED, OR ARE VICTIMS 
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 
VICIMS IN REBUILDING THEIR LIVES?  The GOH does not provide 
shelter or housing benefits in order to aid victims 
rebuilding their lives. 
 
 
TEGUCIGALP 00000432  014 OF 015 
 
 
-- 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?  The GOH does not have the resources to provide 
this training itself, and it relies on international 
assistance to implement TIP-specific training.  In the past, 
Frontier Police and Migration Police investigators were 
trained by U.S. Border Patrol on combating trafficking in 
persons and alien smuggling, including training on the 
protection of trafficking victims. 
 
-- 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 
Honduran 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?  There is nothing done 
specifically for TIP victims.  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.  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 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OR NGOS, IF ANY, WORK 
WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS?  WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES DO THEY 
PROVIDE?  WHAT SORT OF COOPERATION DO THEY RECEIVE FROM LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES?  NOTE:  IF POST REPORTS THAT A GOVERNMENT IS 
INCAPABLE OF ASSISTING AND PROTECTING TIP VICTIMS, THEN POST 
SHOULD EXPLAIN THOROUGHLY.  FUNDING, PERSONNEL, AND TRAINING 
CONSTRAINTS SHOULD BE NOTED, IF APPLICABLE. CONVERSELY, THE 
LACK OF POLITICAL WILL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE NOTED 
AS WELL.  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).  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.  Several 
NGOs, especially Casa Alianza, work closely with the GOH on 
TIP and receive good cooperation. 
 
¶31.  TIP HEROES: 
 
Post would like to nominate Special Prosecutor for Children 
Nora Suyapa Urbina Pineda.  Ms. Urbina 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 makes 
public statements about CSEC and other crimes against 
 
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children.  She has been very aggressive in using her office 
to combat CSEC, including raids of centers of possible 
underage prostitution. 
 
FORD