Statement by Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs on Her Visit to Honduras

December 2, 2011

In a statement to press, Under Secretary Maria Otero stressed the importance of human rights, security, and youth empowerment. (State Dept. Photo)

Translated from the Spanish, As Delivered

Thank you, Madam Ambassador, and many thanks to you all.

During my visit to Honduras, I have met with leaders at all levels of Honduran society –from senior government officials to members of civil society and university students– to discuss the important challenges Hondurans face, such as creating a framework to stop impunity, protecting human rights, creating safer streets, and strengthening democratic institutions.  The United States enjoys a close bilateral partnership with Honduras and is committed to supporting the Honduran people as you work to build a safer, more prosperous, and more democratic future for all Hondurans.

The respect for human rights and the elimination of impunity are two fundamental areas to address in order to strengthen Honduran democracy.  I urge members of the government to strengthen their efforts focusing on the judicial system, law enforcement and security, and other mechanisms to protect the human rights of every Honduran, especially the most vulnerable members of society: women, sexual minorities, journalists, and the physically and mentally challenged.  The government has a responsibility to its citizens to provide resources for prompt, transparent, and credible investigations of all serious human rights abuses, and the prosecution of those responsible.  We recognize that Honduras has taken important steps to improve human rights conditions and to promote the rule of law.  However, we are concerned about developments related to trafficking in persons, and the harassment and killings of journalists, opposition figures, members of sexual minorities, and other groups that have suffered abuse.

The United States is particularly concerned by the country’s security issues, particularly with regards to the situation in the Bajo Aguán.  We now have a deeper understanding about the efforts that President Lobo’s government is making to address this situation, and about progress related to land tenure problems in Bajo Aguán.  We urge that efforts continue in this area, as well as thorough investigations into all outstanding cases of human rights abuses in this country.  We hope that police reforms currently being implemented will strengthen this institution, which is vital to the country.  The lack of public confidence in the police discourages victims of crime from reporting crimes to those authorities who should be enforcing the law, and inhibits the ability of the government to bring criminals to justice in order to stop the violence.  We are deeply concerned about reports of police having been involved in attacks and extrajudicial killings.  I join the families and friends of the victims in mourning the tragic murders of the university students killed last month.  I met with the University Rector to express my deepest sympathies with respect to the tragic death of her son.

The Government of Honduras has welcomed international assistance to strengthen its investigative capabilities, and in my meetings with members of civil society, I have emphasized that we will continue to support Honduras’ important efforts.  We also know that the events surrounding the murders of the students has prompted, among all members of society, a sense of urgency about the critical state of the police system.  This presents an opportunity to cleanse, professionalize, and strengthen this institution.

The United States recognizes the devastating toll that gangs, narcotrafficking and transnational crime has taken on Honduras and its neighbors in Central America, and we are committed to supporting the Honduran government —just as we support other governments in the region— to improve citizen security.  We are implementing high-impact programs such as police training, a special victims task force, an anti-gang and counter-trafficking unit, services for at-risk youth, and community policing in high-crime municipalities.  The United States supports Honduras’ efforts to combat crime and to reform its public institutions, including, as I have already mentioned, the National Police.

Challenges confronting Honduras that have reached crisis levels —including violence, impunity, poverty, and unemployment— are not hurdles for the government alone.  Every Honduran must play a role in the country’s success.  Every member of society, whether through civil society engagement or through the private sector, must play his or her part and assume the responsibility of improving the country’s situation.  The United States will continue to support policies that promote social inclusion and engage all members of society –especially under-served and highly vulnerable individuals, and Hondurans who live in rural areas– so that they can have a safer, more prosperous, and more democratic future.

Thank you very much.