Year of Publication
2010
Organization Name
Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior
Acronym
FRIDE
Publisher
FRIDE
City
Madrid
Country of Publication
Spain
Full Date
November 2010
Considered Countries
Honduras
Category
Academic articles
Theme
BILATERAL RELATIONS UE - LAC
Country - European Union
Keyword(s)
European Union
Development Co-operation
Reforms
Internal Security
Insecurity
Organized Crime
Police
Corruption
Human Rights
Justice System
United Nations
Abstract
Honduras simultaneously faces the recovery from a severe political crisis due to a coup d’état in June 2009
as well as a sustained crisis of security and legitimacy. Since then, society has been ever more marked by
polarisation and the political equilibrium is very fragile. Levels of violence are at an all-time high and organised
crime, especially drug trafficking, is threatening the bases of state institutions and people’s physical security. The
country’s socio-economic situation is dire and the global economic crisis has fuelled increasing levels of poverty
and unemployment.
Honduras’ security and justice sector suffers from severe deficiencies. It remains largely inefficient and unable to
safeguard security and the rule of law for its citizens. Criminal investigative units are plagued with serious problems
of incompetence, corruption and progressive penetration by organised crime. The judiciary lacks independence
and is subject to systematic political interference. Inter-institutional coordination is poor and flawed by a climate
of mutual mistrust and rivalry over competencies.
This report describes and analyses the EU’s contribution to strengthening security and the rule of law in Honduras
through a major security sector reform (SSR) programme earmarked with a budget of €44 million. The report
underlines the crucial need for increased local ownership as a sine qua non condition if the EU’s endeavours
are to trigger sustainable institutional change and thus further human security in Honduras. The report also
examines prospects for the creation of an international commission against impunity, following the example of
the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).
The EU’s Support Programme to the Security Sector (PASS) in Honduras meets local needs, is comprehensive
in its approach and targeted at the relevant institutions. However, the current political climate of polarisation
and a government that is weak and lacking in legitimacy seriously compromises the programme’s prospects
for successful implementation. A solid political, legal and budgetary framework for reform is missing, as is local
ownership. The EU and other donors eager to support security and justice sector reform in Honduras should use
their joint weight to ensure basic conditions are met with regards to the political, legal and budgetary framework,
thus preparing the ground for reasonable prospects for successful implementation and the sustainability of their
activities.
as well as a sustained crisis of security and legitimacy. Since then, society has been ever more marked by
polarisation and the political equilibrium is very fragile. Levels of violence are at an all-time high and organised
crime, especially drug trafficking, is threatening the bases of state institutions and people’s physical security. The
country’s socio-economic situation is dire and the global economic crisis has fuelled increasing levels of poverty
and unemployment.
Honduras’ security and justice sector suffers from severe deficiencies. It remains largely inefficient and unable to
safeguard security and the rule of law for its citizens. Criminal investigative units are plagued with serious problems
of incompetence, corruption and progressive penetration by organised crime. The judiciary lacks independence
and is subject to systematic political interference. Inter-institutional coordination is poor and flawed by a climate
of mutual mistrust and rivalry over competencies.
This report describes and analyses the EU’s contribution to strengthening security and the rule of law in Honduras
through a major security sector reform (SSR) programme earmarked with a budget of €44 million. The report
underlines the crucial need for increased local ownership as a sine qua non condition if the EU’s endeavours
are to trigger sustainable institutional change and thus further human security in Honduras. The report also
examines prospects for the creation of an international commission against impunity, following the example of
the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).
The EU’s Support Programme to the Security Sector (PASS) in Honduras meets local needs, is comprehensive
in its approach and targeted at the relevant institutions. However, the current political climate of polarisation
and a government that is weak and lacking in legitimacy seriously compromises the programme’s prospects
for successful implementation. A solid political, legal and budgetary framework for reform is missing, as is local
ownership. The EU and other donors eager to support security and justice sector reform in Honduras should use
their joint weight to ensure basic conditions are met with regards to the political, legal and budgetary framework,
thus preparing the ground for reasonable prospects for successful implementation and the sustainability of their
activities.
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