Western Hemisphere: Honduras Certification Pursuant to 2016 Budget Appropriations Act
Attribution is on-the-record from Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner.
Question: Has the State Department certified Honduras per the 2016 Appropriations Act?
On September 30, 2016, the Department of State certified to the U.S. Congress that Honduras has taken effective steps to meet the criteria specified in the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriation legislation. Still, serious challenges remain that require sustained effort and political will by the Honduran government. Impunity and corruption pose significant challenges to the country’s institutions. But to date, the Honduran government has demonstrated the political will necessary to tackle the country’s security and developmental challenges.
Question: Was this published in the Federal Register?
Yes. It can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/14/2016-24894/certification-pursuant-to-section-7045a3b-of-the-department-of-state-foreign-operations-and-related
Question: How much is total assistance?
With regard to Honduras, approximately $55 million in foreign assistance was linked to certification on 12 conditions. That assistance is targeted to improve the security, governance, and economic challenges that drive undocumented migration from the region.
Question: What steps has Honduras taken on human rights?
Answer: We have certified that the central government of Honduras is taking effective steps to, among other things, combat corruption, including investigating and prosecuting government officials credibly alleged to be corrupt; implement reforms, policies, and programs to improve transparency and strengthen public institutions, including increasing the capacity and independence of the judiciary and the Office of the Attorney General; counter the activities of criminal gangs, drug traffickers, and organized crime; investigate and prosecute in the civilian justice system members of military and police forces who are credibly alleged to have violated human rights, and ensure that the military and police are cooperating in such cases; cooperate with commissions against impunity, as appropriate, and with regional human rights entities; and protect the right of political opposition parties, journalists, trade unionists, human rights defenders, and other civil society activists to operate without interference.