United Nations Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado on Honduras
/
2:31
/
MP4
/
278.5 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | OHCHR , UNOG

United Nations Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado on Honduras

“We are very concerned by the militarization of public security in Honduras. On 5 July, the Government extended, for an additional 45 days, a state of emergency introduced in December 2022 as part of its efforts to tackle extortion and organised crime,” she said.

The state of emergency, in force in 17 of the 18 departments in Honduras, enables the military police to support the national police in carrying out public security tasks. It also derogates the right of personal liberty, freedom of association, assembly and movement, and allows security and armed forces to carry out arrests and searches without a warrant.

“On 21 June, the authorities announced that the command and control of the prison system was being transferred to the military police. This decision came in the wake of a violent incident at the national women’s prison in the town of Tamara, where 46 female inmates were killed when members of one gang attacked a part of the prison housing members of a rival gang,” Hurtado said.

“Since then, military police operations have been carried out in all prisons across Honduras.

Initial monitoring by our Office, as well as information from civil society organisations and other sources with regard to military operations in prisons, indicates that inmates, in particular those allegedly associated with gangs, have been beaten and kicked by military police. Inmates have also been subjected to sleep deprivation, and had their food and water rationed – actions that may amount to ill-treatment,” she added.

“We urge the authorities to ensure that there is internal and external oversight of military operations in prisons, as well as of the military’s command and control of the prisons system, to prevent human rights violations. Allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force should be promptly investigated,” Hurtado said.

The UN Human Rights Office recognises the urgent need in Honduras to address the prevailing levels of violence in and outside prisons, but is extremely worried that some of the measures that have been adopted could lead to human rights violations, Hurtado noted.

The use of states of emergency must be exceptional, time-bound and restricted to what is strictly necessary under the circumstances of the particular case.

“The prison system should be under civilian control, within the framework of a comprehensive security policy that addresses the root causes of violence and contributes to the dismantling of gangs and other organised crime groups,” Hurtado said.

Among other steps, efforts should immediately be redoubled stressed the spokesperson to address long-standing criminal justice and prison challenges. These include the extensive use of incarceration, overcrowding, unsuitable living conditions, the lack of basic services, and inmates controlling some prisons.

“We recall the State’s duty to protect the life of people in custody. All efforts to address the prison challenge should be based on international human rights law and standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners - the Nelson Mandela Rules,” she said.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or

Jeremy Laurence + +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org or

Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

Tag and share

Twitter @UNHumanRights

Facebook unitednationshumanrights

Instagram @unitednationshumanrights

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights

  1. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “We are very concerned by the militarization of public security in Honduras. On 5 July, the Government extended, for an additional 45 days, a state of emergency introduced in December 2022 as part of its efforts to tackle extortion and organised crime.”
  2. Cut away: Briefing room.
  3. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “On 21 June, the authorities announced that the command and control of the prison system was being transferred to the military police. This decision came in the wake of a violent incident at the national women’s prison in the town of Tamara, where 46 female inmates were killed when members of one gang attacked a part of the prison housing members of a rival gang.”
  4. Cut away: Briefing room.
  5. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “Since then, military police operations have been carried out in all prisons across Honduras. Initial monitoring by our Office, as well as information from civil society organisations and other sources with regard to military operations in prisons, indicates that inmates, in particular those allegedly associated with gangs, have been beaten and kicked by military police. Inmates have also been subjected to sleep deprivation, and had their food and water rationed – actions that may amount to ill-treatment.”
  6. Cut away: Briefing room.
  7. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “We urge the authorities to ensure that there is internal and external oversight of military operations in prisons, as well as of the military’s command and control of the prisons system, to prevent human rights violations. Allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force should be promptly investigated.”
  8. Cut away: Briefing room.
  9. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “The prison system should be under civilian control, within the framework of a comprehensive security policy that addresses the root causes of violence and contributes to the dismantling of gangs and other organised crime groups.”
  10. Cut away: Briefing room.

  1. Soundbite (English)— Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): “We recall the State’s duty to protect the life of people in custody. All efforts to address the prison challenge should be based on international human rights law and standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).”

Similar Stories

UNECE Press conference: Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability - 08 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNECE

UNECE Press conference: Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability - 08 October 2025 ENG FRA

UNECE Press conference on the Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainablility

On 8 October 2025, UNECE member States' ministers meet to focus on the urgent challenges and strategic priorities surrounding housing affordability and sustainability in the UNECE region. Ten years after the adoption of the Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing, ministers will highlight challenges and key priorities for the achievement of the Charter's objectives, and present good practice and strategic solutions in this regard.  As the key outcome of the meeting, ministers will be invited to agree on practical commitments towards sustainable and affordable housing.

The meeting will take place as part of the eighty-sixth session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management (8–10 October 2025).

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO ENG FRA

Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians

Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF , UNOG , WHO , IPU

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 October 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and the International Parliamentary Union.

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025

1

1

1

Edited News

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025 ENG FRA

Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 03 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNHCR , UNICEF , UNIS , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 03 October 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC , OHCHR

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025 ENG FRA

Report of the Independent Expert on Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic.

 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNECE , WHO , OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (the UN Refugee Agency), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Health Organization.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.