Honduras

Aa
Report to the 74th General Assembly
Oct 19 to 22
Salta, Argentina
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The country does not offer adequate conditions for freedom of expression and the exercise of journalism. Legislation maintains in force laws that contravene international human rights standards.

Access to public information continues to be limited – generating opacity in public affairs and institutional weakening to fight corruption, despite the demands made by the IAPA and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Regarding a draft bill on cybersecurity, the UN and OAS Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression asked the Legislative Branch to conform to international standards and "on how the restriction of freedom of expression obeys the three conditions established in Article 19.3 of the ICCPR and Article 13.2 of the American Convention." The request was due to the fact that the draft bill contains ambiguous and vague language.

The Mission of Support Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) filed a petition to amend the "Law for the Classification of Public Documents Related to National Security and Defense," because it violates the right of access to public information and the transparency principle.

The Government maintains full discretion in the handling of official advertising.

The insecurity of journalists has remained at levels similar to those registered during the post-electoral crisis of December 2017 – with numerous cases of aggression by National Police agents during public demonstrations being reported. Among these aggressions and threats are those received by priest Ismael Moreno Coto, director of Radio Progreso, and journalist Sandra Maribel Sánchez.

The Honduran Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported denunciations about hate campaigns and stigmatization through social networks and Internet portals against the media and journalists.

There are still legal definitions in force that criminalize and punish critical expressions referring to public officials and on matters of public interest – a situation that also affects communication professionals and citizens in general.

On June 5, the Congress repealed Art. 335-B of the Penal Code, which violated the right to freedom of expression. The article stated that whoever "publicly or through means of communication or dissemination destined to the public make apology, exaltation or justification of terrorism or of those who have participated in its execution, or shall incite another or others to commit terrorism or financing thereof, shall be sanctioned with a penalty of four to eight years in prison. "

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