A/HRC/35/23/Add.1 prisoners with the acquiescence of prison authorities. Inmates have described situations of internal shootings among members of opposing gangs and grenade explosions that resulted in the death of several inmates, which were facilitated by the tolerated stock of all types of weaponry within prison walls. 103. Faced with this critical situation, the authorities assigned military officers to manage most of the countries prisons, in breach of articles 39 and 60 of the Law on the National Penitentiary System. In addition, they established detention centres in three military battalions where they have transferred reportedly dangerous inmates, such as gang leaders. The militarization of the country’s penitentiary service has brought up numerous concerns, as military training is not fit for purpose and could lead to an array of human rights violations. 104. The national preventive mechanism plays an essential role in this context and needs to be strengthened. IX. Engagement with the regional and international human rights protection system 105. Honduras has a chequered relationship with the Inter-American System for the protection of human rights. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the lack of effective implementation of precautionary measures of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and urges the Government to step up its efforts to ensure their immediate and full application. The work of the Commission is of great importance and has a great impact in Honduras. Its continued ability to engage in the country is paramount. 106. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the establishment in 2015 of a country office for Honduras of OHCHR. X. Conclusions and recommendations A. Concluding remarks 107. A few years ago, Honduras had the highest murder rate in the world. Since then, a number of significant steps have been taken to reduce the levels of violence, which remain alarmingly high but have started to move in the right direction. The most difficult but important part still lies ahead: to consolidate the gains and bring the violence down further. 108. The Special Rapporteur met with many officials who were confronting the problems head-on and were committed to changing the situation. Likewise, many parts of civil society were vibrant and engaged. 109. The problem of violence in the country has two parallel dimensions: first, the high number of people who are killed; and the low number of perpetrators who are held accountable. Regional patterns of drug smuggling and grinding poverty and inequality make it hard to break out of the cycle of violence, but the gains that have been made show this is not insurmountable. Impunity is the hallmark and to a large extent the cause of the ongoing violence. While impunity is the result of engrained corruption, extortion and weak institutions, much can and should be done to remedy the situation. 110. Positive steps have been taken. Law enforcement agencies have increased their capacity and gang leaders have been jailed or extradited from the country. The police force is undergoing a far-reaching restructuring and strengthening process, which is much-needed to reverse the current militarization of law enforcement. A law has been passed to better protect human rights defenders, journalists and others, and consideration is being given to change the law to ensure better gun control. 19