A/HRC/30/11 established itself as a national, independent institution with administrative, technical and budgetary autonomy. 22. Regarding democracy and participation, the National Congress had amended the Constitution to allow bills to be introduced by plebiscite, referendum and citizen’s initiative. A constitutional amendment had also been made to include the guarantee of habeas data as a mechanism of protection of private data and the rights to honour, privacy and personal image. 23. Impeachment and the right to freedom of association were also guaranteed as part of the constitutional reform. 24. In relation to the rights of indigenous peoples, Honduras promoted access to land. The Secretariat for Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment was currently working with the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras in drafting a bill on prior and informed consultation of indigenous peoples. 25. The National Commission against Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance had also been reactivated. 26. With regard to sexual diversity, Honduras had prioritized the implementation of actions in the National Action Plan on Human Rights in favour of that group. Actions included legal reforms, awareness-raising and training. 27. In the areas of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as efforts to combat poverty, the Constitution had been amended to include the right to water and sanitation. Among others, Honduras launched a plan for the prevention of pregnancy in adolescents, strengthened public education and adopted legislation to address the impact of climate change. 28. Honduras had created the Directorate on Children, Adolescent and Family Issues, which had an agreement with local governments to launch the national system of protection of children for local- and national-level actions. It was also in the process of ratifying the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. 29. The special criminal justice programme, favouring alternative measures, had been created by the Directorate. The Directorate also monitored all social reintegration programmes. Special criminal justice programmes had been introduced by Honduras as part of the Partnership Plan for Prosperity. 30. The protection of children against abuse was a principle incorporated in the Constitution. The National Congress had approved a comprehensive reform of the Children and Adolescents Code and the Family Code, taking into account the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 31. The delegation referred to the request made to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to open an OHCHR country office in Honduras. Honduras believed that the office would contribute to strengthening the national system for the protection of human rights. It would open up spaces for dialogue, and monitor and report objectively on the human rights situation in the country. The High Commissioner would also provide technical assistance to institutions in Honduras. 32. The President of the Supreme Court of Justice reported that the National Congress had created the Council of the Judiciary and Judicial Staff, which eliminated the possibility of discretionary or political appointments. To ensure the right of citizens to demand accountability for the conduct of judicial officials, all decisions of the Council can be reviewed before ordinary and constitutional courts. 5

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents