UK Statement for Honduras' Universal Periodic Review. Delivered at the 50th session of the UPR in Geneva.
Thank you, Madame Vice-President.
The United Kingdom welcomes Honduras's decision to lift the 14-year ban on the use and sale of the emergency contraceptive pill, a significant step for the rights of women and girls. However, we remain concerned by the sustained levels of gender-based violence, including femicide and sexual violence.
We also note with concern the challenges faced by Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in exercising their rights to resolving land tenure conflicts, including criminalisation, threats and violence. The murder of Juan López highlights the urgent need for stronger protections.
As Honduras approaches its election, we are concerned about the continued state of emergency, which increases risks for human rights defenders, journalists and civil society. These risks are compounded by the limited resources of the National Protection Mechanism, including insufficient technical personnel.
We recommend that Honduras:
Prioritises the approval of the Comprehensive Special Law on Violence Against Women.
Protects indigenous peoples and human right defenders who work on environmental issues through legal reforms and effective enforcement, including safeguarding the right to free, prior and informed consent.
Strengthens its National Protection Mechanism through allocating sufficient resources and implementing agile procedures that enable swift delivery of protection measures tailored to those at risk.
Thank you.
