Contribution to the country office of UN Human Rights in Honduras (United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)


UN Human Rights has established itself as the principal point of reference for critically positioning human rights in the public and political agenda of Honduras. It will continue to strive to provide protection of individuals and communities whose rights are at risk or denied, while also working to further develop institutions, laws and policies that effectively protect human rights. This will contribute to rule of law and providing the necessary framework for equitable and sustainable development.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Honduras
Governance
Conflict & fragility
Legal and judicial development
Conflict prevention
01.01.2022 - 30.06.2024
CHF  1’980’000
Background The human rights context in Honduras is deteriorating. The no-renovation of the Mission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras as well as recent reforms of the Constitution and the Criminal Code exacerbate the criminalization of Human Rights defenders and restrain the work of Civil Society Organizations (CSO). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, new legislations further relaxed the State procurement procedures, making direct purchases the norm. The justice sector institutions continue to be characterized by a general lack of independence and effectiveness. Security forces, on the other hand, still present corruption issues, deficiencies on crime investigations and excessive use of force, which, in some cases, constitute serious human rights violations. Switzerland is committed to maintaining a just and peaceful international order based on strong multilateralism. It is recognised for its commitment to strengthening human rights and gender equality. (IC Strategy 21-24/Subgoal 9).
Objectives To contribute to the respect and guarantee of human rights of the Honduran population during 2022-2024, by strengthening the rule of law, expanding and promoting civic space and people’s participation, promoting development and access to economic, social and cultural rigths and countering discrimination against people in vulnerable situations.
Target groups

-    Civil society organizations, marginalized groups (indigenous people and afrodecendents, women, youth, children, LGTBI), defenders of environmental and human rights, advocates, judges and journalists

-    National Commission for Human Rights CONADEH and the national Commission for the Prevention of Torture CONAPREV; UN-organizations

-    Government, judicial and legislative institutions, judicial and security institutions: police and penitentiary system

-    Private business namely of extractive end energy industry

Medium-term outcomes

1.    Strengthening the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations.

2.    Enhancing and protecting civic space and people’s participation.

3.    Promoting development and access to and enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

4.    Promoting equality and non-discrimination against people in vulnerable situations.

The intervention will also focus on promoting inclusive recovery from COVID-19, and a ‘Build Back Better’ approach in the recovery process after humanitarian emergencies (and possibly challenging electoral processes at the end of 2021). The Office will be supporting a strong fulfilment and protection of economic and social rights, the 2030 Agenda and the Secretary General’s Call to Action for Human Rights.

Results

Expected results:  

-    Strengthen the justice sector institutions and CSO to seek and provide redress to victims and accountability for human rights violations, through technical assistance and capacity building.

-    Strengthen the capacities of the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and prosecute crimes committed against human rights defenders through the development of a Specialized Investigation Protocol for crimes committed against human rights defenders.

-    Strengthen State institutions in charge of formulating and implementing public policies aimed at populations in situations of vulnerability, incorporating a human rights-based approach.


Results from previous phases:   UN Human Rights-Honduras developed strategic partnerships and strengthened its collaboration with CSOs, the United Nations system, the National Human Rights Institution and State authorities, including the judicial, legislative and executive branches and improved its technical and operational capacities to respond to the multiple and complex human rights challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office positioned as a key partner of high-level actors ensuring that human rights took centre stage in the COVID-19 response. Finally, the establishment of partnerships at the highest level with the Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court of Justice has facilitated the adoption of technical cooperation agreements.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • UNHCHR


Other partners
UN Human Rights (United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)
Coordination with other projects and actors

-    Main national partners: Vice Ministry of Human Rights and Justice, Attorney General, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission of Congress, National Human Rights Ombudsman, Civil Society Organizations

-    SDC Portfolio in Honduras

-    SDC regional portfolio on governance, human rights and corruption

-    Donor coordination G-16 and coordination group on justice, human security and human rights 

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’980’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’980’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   8’080’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   1’813’158
Project phases

Phase 3 01.01.2022 - 30.06.2024   (Active)

Phase 2 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2021   (Active) Phase 1 01.06.2015 - 31.12.2017   (Active)