Honduras
MIRPS in Honduras
According to official data, at least 247,090 people were internally displaced between 2004 and 2018. Since 2015, 437,773 Hondurans have been deported, mainly from the United States and Mexico; the highest number of deportations ever registered was 109,185 persons in 2019. On the other hand, 353 people sought asylum in Honduras, mainly Nicaraguan nationals. The data shows the need to consolidate a comprehensive response framework for the internally displaced population, returnees with protection needs, as well as refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
To respond to this, Honduras joined the MIRPS in 2017, and since then, it has made progress in the implementation of its commitments to ensure protection and solutions for forcibly displaced persons. However, the support of the international community is required to: promote the consolidation of the legal and institutional framework; improve reception conditions, as well as protection and assistance mechanisms; and line up assistance mechanisms to social protection and livelihood programs to expand the possibilities for durable solutions.
National Action Plan Focus Areas
Protection
21 commitments
Jobs and Livelihoods
4 commitments
Education
1 commitment
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Latest Achievements
The-Second profiling study of internal displacement due to violence in Honduras
2004-2018 allowed to better understand the magnitude of internal displacement, its main causes and impacts, as well as the most-affected regions. This quantitative and qualitative data has contributed to highlight the need to promote a comprehensive response to internal displacement at the national and local levels; support the formulation and implementation of public policies based on differentiated data; and strengthen the capacities of the institutions and organizations that implement actions in favour of the displaced population and those at risk of displacement.
Draft legislation for the prevention, assistance and protection of internally displaced persons
seeks to consolidate a legal framework to guarantee the rights of the displaced population. The bill is a result of the coordinated work between State institutions, civil society organizations, and international human rights organizations, under the leadership of the Human Rights Secretariat. The Human Rights Commission of the National Congress issued a favourable opinion of the draft bill; therefore, it is currently in the process of being incorporated into the legislative agenda to start the debate phase, prior to becoming a national law.
Adoption of assistance and protection measures to displaced populations
through the implementation of institutional assistance programs has made it possible to activate the State response to individual cases, as well as identifying challenges and lessons learned that will further contribute to the formulation of the required protocols and procedures established in the bill.
Development of a system to protect abandoned or dispossessed land and property
will contribute to advance the design of a legal framework to protect the rights to land, housing and property of the displaced population.
Activation of decentralized mechanisms to process asylum applications
through the implementation of mobile brigades to carry out registration and interviews, as well as opening border branch offices for registration procedures, eliminate the barriers to access to the asylum process for the most vulnerable population in remote or border zones that are unable to travel to central offices.
Activation of mechanisms for the identification of persons in need of international protection and returnees with protection needs
developed by the National Migration Institute by creating a vulnerability screening tool implemented by the Human Rights Unit, to identify persons in need of international protection; on the other hand, by implementing an assistance protocol in the Centres for the Assistance of Returned Migrants (CAMRs) for returnees with protection needs.
Looking ahead
Promote interinstitutional and intersectoral coordination
including the private sector, at the national and local level, to strengthen and improve socio-economic inclusion and advocate with the labor and education secretariats to address barriers in the access to labor and education for asylum seekers and refugees.
Strengthen State presence in communities at risk of displacement
developing prevention and protection programs that address the root causes of displacement and its differentiated impact
Develop strategies aimed at preventing and addressing specific risks that affect the population most impacted by violence
like women, children, LGBTQ+ persons, teachers, bus drivers, merchants, among others.
Advance in the drafting and implementation of a strategy on violence prevention and protection
In education to fight forced recruitment, and the creation of a confidential registry of abandoned houses, land and property.
Strengthen reception and assistance capacity by creating centres to provide a comprehensive response to people in need of international protection
Promote programs and projects to improve the livelihoods of returnees, asylum-seekers and refugees
Advance in the decentralization of the asylum system and expand reception mechanisms for people with international protection needs