Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

118th session

Geneva, 10–25 August 2026

Item 4 of the provisional agenda

Consideration of reports, comments and information submitted by States Parties under article 9 of the Convention

List of themes in relation to the combined ninth to eleventh periodic reports of Honduras

Note by the Country Rapporteur

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination decided at its seventy‑sixth session that the Country Rapporteur would send to the State Party concerned a short list of themes, with a view to guiding and focusing the dialogue between the State Party’s delegation and the Committee during the consideration of the State Party’s report. The present document contains a list of such themes. It is not an exhaustive list; other issues may also be raised in the course of the dialogue. No written replies are required.

Demographic composition of the population and data collection

Updated and disaggregated information on the demographic and ethnic composition of the population and indicators relating to the population’s socioeconomic situation, with a particular focus on Indigenous Peoples, people of African descent, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. Additional information on measures taken to systematically incorporate variables on ethnic and racial origin, as well as self-identification questions, in population and housing censuses, household surveys and the data collection tools and administrative records of public institutions and subnational governments. Updated information on the self-identification methodology used and the involvement of organizations representing Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent in the design and validation of that methodology. Information on measures taken to address the underreporting issues raised by such organizations, including those representing the English-speaking communities of African descent in the Bay Islands, in addition to information on the involvement of those communities in the collection and use of data concerning them.

The Convention in domestic law and the institutional and policy framework for its implementation (arts. 1, 2, 4 and 5)

Information on cases in which the provisions of the Convention have been invoked before the courts of the State Party or directly applied by them, pursuant to article 16 of the Constitution. Additional information on any training on the Convention provided to law enforcement officials, public defenders, lawyers, judges, justice system officials and other public officials. Measures to raise awareness among the State Party’s population and non‑citizens of the rights enshrined in the Convention and the complaint mechanisms and judicial and non-judicial remedies available to them.

Measures taken or envisaged to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation containing a clear definition of racial discrimination, including direct, indirect, multiple and intersecting forms thereof, covering all fields of law and public life and all grounds of discrimination referred to in article 1 (1) of the Convention.

Additional information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure that criminal legislation is fully in line with article 4 of the Convention by criminalizing acts of racial discrimination and all conduct described in that article and covering all grounds of discrimination enumerated in article 1 of the Convention. Measures taken to incorporate racist motives as an aggravating circumstance under the Criminal Code. Information on measures taken to prevent, investigate and punish racist hate speech, hate crimes and incitement to racial hatred and xenophobia, especially in the media and on the Internet and social media platforms, including when committed or instigated by public authorities, in particular against Indigenous Peoples, people of African descent, migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. Statistics and examples of complaints, investigations and punishments in cases involving individuals who have incited discrimination or racist hate speech and violence, in addition to information on reparations granted to victims, disaggregated by motive and by the victim’s nationality and membership of an Indigenous or Afrodescendent group. Measures taken to facilitate the reporting and investigation of these crimes, such as the establishment of a system for the collection and storage of relevant disaggregated data, including within the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Protection of Ethnic Groups and Cultural Heritage.

Measures taken or envisaged to strengthen the mandate of the Office of the National Commissioner for Human Rights, including with regard to the prevention and combating of racial discrimination and xenophobia, and ensure that the State Party’s institutions duly respond to the Office’s requests for information. Information on the evolution of the financial, human and technical resources allocated to the Office in recent years and the measures taken to increase its presence at the national level and strengthen its cooperation with civil society organizations and human rights defenders. Information on changes to the process for the selection and appointment of the National Commissioner that have been introduced or are being planned in follow-up to the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. Information on the steps taken by the Office of the Ombudsman for the Environment and Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples to address violence, including murders, targeting Indigenous human rights defenders and human rights defenders of African descent.

Measures taken to strengthen institutions working to tackle racial discrimination and promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including the National Coordination Office for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples, the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage of the Peoples of Honduras and the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Protection of Ethnic Groups and Cultural Heritage. Information on mechanisms that ensure the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies affecting them. Information on the evolution of the financial, human and technical resources allocated to these institutions, the ethnic diversity of their staff, their presence in remote areas of the State Party’s territory and the measures taken to ensure that they coordinate effectively among themselves and with other institutions. Measures taken or envisaged to revitalize the National Commission against Racial Discrimination, Racism, Xenophobia and Other Related Forms of Intolerance, and information on the reasons for which the status of the Directorate for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples was not restored to that of a ministry, in accordance with the recommendation made by the Committee in 2018.

Information on the progress and outcomes achieved through the 2016–2026 Public Policy against Racism and Racial Discrimination for the Comprehensive Development of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples, the human, financial and technical resources earmarked for its implementation and the participation of Indigenous Peoples, people of African descent and other groups particularly exposed to racial discrimination in the evaluation of its implementation and results. Updated information on steps taken towards the adoption of a comprehensive public policy for Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Hondurans for the period 2027–2032. Measures taken or envisaged towards the adoption of a national action plan to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. Outcomes of activities organized by the State Party within the framework of the first International Decade for People of African Descent, progress in the planning of measures and activities for the second International Decade and information on the participation of people of African descent in the design and implementation of and follow-up to these initiatives.

Situation of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent (arts. 2 and 5)

The implementation of measures, including special measures and affirmative action, to combat the structural and multiple forms of discrimination and inequality in various public and private settings that affect Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent and to ensure the effective realization of their rights throughout the State Party’s territory. Specific information on the impact of such measures and the participation of these population groups in the design, implementation and evaluation thereof. Information on measures taken to ensure universal birth registration and effective access to identity documents for Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including those living in border areas known as “Bolsones”, in line with the recommendation made by the Committee in 2018.

Measures taken to increase the participation of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, in particular women belonging to these groups, in political and public affairs at all levels of government and to improve the representation of such groups in decision-making positions in both the public and private sectors. Outcomes of such measures, together with supporting statistical data, since the submission of the previous periodic report. Information on the status of the bill establishing political participation quotas for various groups, including Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. Information on the recognition and financing of the traditional authorities and governance structures of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, and on measures to prevent, investigate and punish political violence, in particular violence with an ethnic, racial or gender dimension, especially in the context of elections, including the general election of 30 November 2025.

Measures to prevent, investigate and punish the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials and violence by private security companies and other non-State actors, in particular against Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including in the context of evictions, land disputes and peaceful demonstrations in support of those peoples’ rights. Information on investigations conducted, penalties imposed on the perpetrators of such violence and reparations granted to the victims, their families and affected communities. Measures taken or envisaged, including at the legislative level, to prevent, combat and explicitly prohibit racial profiling by law enforcement officials, and disciplinary or criminal measures introduced with a view to investigating cases of racial profiling and punishing the perpetrators.

Updated information on measures to guarantee the exercise of the right to freedom of expression by Indigenous individuals and people of African descent, including the adoption of a legal framework on community media that covers the legal recognition of, and access and the assignment of frequencies to, community radio stations for Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. Measures taken to ensure the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly by Indigenous individuals and people of African descent, including action to prevent the misuse of criminal law provisions against them, in particular those concerning the crime of “encroachment” and concepts such as the “occupation of public space” in the context of peaceful protests.

Updated information on action taken to effectively protect journalists, human rights defenders, environmental and territorial defenders and leaders and members of Indigenous communities and communities of African descent from human rights violations, including murders, enforced disappearance, violent acts, arbitrary detention, reprisals, intimidation, threats, smear campaigns, judicial harassment and criminalization by State and non-State actors, that are perpetrated against them owing to their work to defend human rights. Additional information on investigations conducted, penalties imposed on the perpetrators of such violations and reparations granted to the victims and their families. Action taken to strengthen and ensure the effective functioning of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the National System for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Media Professionals and Justice Officials, in particular through the adequate allocation of resources, the revision and improvement of prevention and protection strategies, including early warning systems and protective measures, and the timely and effective implementation of the precautionary measures ordered by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Information on efforts to evaluate the functioning of the national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists, media professionals and justice officials, including its granting of culturally appropriate protective measures, in accordance with the recommendation made by the Committee in 2018.

Additional information on measures taken to reduce the levels of poverty and extreme poverty among Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including through the Our Roots Programme. Action taken to ensure effective access to basic services (food, housing, water and sanitation, electricity, healthcare, social security and education) for persons belonging to these groups. Specific information on the impact of such measures and action, based on the evolution of the socioeconomic situation of these population groups in recent years, including data, disaggregated by sex, department and membership of an Indigenous or Afrodescendent group, on poverty, extreme poverty and food insecurity during the period under review.

Information on measures taken to address food insecurity and obstacles to access to water and sanitation, which mainly affect Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. Impact of action taken to address acute and chronic undernutrition in children, which particularly affects Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. Measures taken to address the disproportionate impact of climate change, natural disasters and environmental degradation on Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including the specific impact that Hurricanes Eta and Iota had on these groups in 2020, and the outcome of reconstruction programmes.

Updated information on steps taken to facilitate the adoption of specific regulations governing consultation procedures for obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, in accordance with the State Party’s international obligations, in particular those established under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Information on the proposed timeline for the submission of the specific regulations to the National Congress and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to conduct such consultations, in particular those on legislative or administrative measures and projects in the areas of economic development, energy, tourism, infrastructure and natural resource exploitation that may affect the rights, land and resources of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. Information on any investigations and penalties and on reparations granted to Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent who have been affected by the implementation of the aforementioned projects. Information on follow-up to the recommendations issued by the ILO direct contacts mission in May 2022 and on consultations actually held during the period under review in the absence of a general legislative framework.

Legislative and other measures to ensure the protection, titling, delimitation, demarcation and restitution of the ancestral lands and territories of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including the establishment of a clear, efficient and accessible adjudication procedure and mechanism and registration system, in accordance with the State Party’s international obligations and the judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.Additional information on measures taken to prevent the forcible eviction of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent from their traditional territories and to address the impacts of such evictions, including forced displacement. Data on titled hectares and the regularization and restitution processes completed during the period under review, disaggregated by membership of an Indigenous or Afrodescendent group; on the forced evictions conducted and prevented in the territories of these population groups; and on the outcomes of the work of the Commission for Agrarian Security and Access to Land, which was established in 2023, including follow-up to the cases opened while Legislative Decree No. 18-2008 was in force.

Information on concessions, licences and permits for extractive and infrastructure projects in the territories of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent that are currently in effect, in addition to information on the legal framework governing the mining moratorium announced in 2022 and its effective implementation and on independent environmental, social, and cultural impact assessments conducted with input from affected communities.Updated information on the status of the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project and the concessions granted in the Tocoa area, Department of Colón, including information on the investigation into the murder of human rights defender Juan López in September 2024.

Measures taken to ensure the availability, accessibility and quality of education for Indigenous children and children of African descent, and progress made in improving literacy rates and access to primary, secondary and university education among members of these communities and reducing school dropout. Information on the impact of measures taken to guarantee the right to bilingual intercultural education and on the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Hondurans in the design and evaluation of such measures. Information on the effective implementation of Legislative Decree No. 93-97 on the institutionalization of bilingual intercultural education, including through teacher training and the provision of educational materials in the languages of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent.

Measures taken to prevent and combat racial discrimination in the workplace. Action undertaken to improve access to the formal sector of the economy, in equitable and satisfactory working conditions, for Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, particularly women belonging to these groups, as well as to prevent and combat abuse, labour exploitation, forced labour and trafficking in persons. Additional information on measures taken to prevent, investigate and punish cases of abuse and exploitation targeting Miskito divers, including measures to ensure compliance with the judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of 31 August 2021 in Miskito Divers (Lemoth Morris et al.) v. Honduras and with the friendly settlement agreement approved by the Court. Information on the number of victims who have received compensation, the actual health coverage available in the Department of Gracias a Dios and the La Mosquitia region and the measures taken to prevent and eliminate exploitative conditions in the dive fishing sector.

Measures taken to ensure equal access to high quality and culturally appropriate health services for Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent and the outcomes of such measures. The implementation and impact of measures taken to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates among Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent.

Additional information on measures taken to combat the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Indigenous women and girls and women and girls of African descent, in particular with respect to access to education, employment and health services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. Information on land titles awarded to Indigenous women and women of African descent during the period under review. Additional information on action taken to combat gender-based violence, including femicide and domestic and sexual violence, against these groups of women, and information on cases of violence investigated, prosecuted and punished, as well as the protection and reparation measures granted to victims, including the establishment of shelters in rural areas and comprehensive support services. Information on cases of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, against Indigenous women and women of African descent in the context of land conflicts, the militarization of public security and evictions.

Information on Hondurans who have been returned or deported during the period under review and data disaggregated by country of return, sex, age, ethnic origin and membership of an Indigenous or Afrodescendent group, in addition to information on reintegration measures providing for a differentiated approach for Indigenous individuals and people of African descent. Information on the causes of forced internal displacement and data on internally displaced persons, disaggregated by sex, age, ethnic origin and membership of an Indigenous or Afrodescendent group. Information on measures to effectively implement the Act for the Prevention of Internal Displacement and the Protection and Care of Internally Displaced Persons and its impact on displaced Indigenous individuals and people of African descent.

Situation of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees (arts. 2 and 5)

Legislative and other measures to facilitate the regularization and integration of non‑citizens and remove administrative and other barriers, at all levels of government, that hinder access by migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees to healthcare, education and the labour market. Measures taken to protect migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees, in particular women and children belonging to these groups, from violence, including acts of disappearance, gender-based violence, extortion, racial profiling, labour and sexual exploitation, trafficking in persons and other human rights violations, and information on investigations conducted and penalties imposed, as well as on reparations granted to victims and their families. Information on the implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Act through a human rights-based and culturally sensitive approach, and data on victims of trafficking in persons, disaggregated by sex, age and ethnic and national origin, who have been identified during the period under review. Action taken to ensure that the State Party’s bilateral and multilateral agreements on migration are in full compliance with the Convention and the relevant international obligations and standards.

Action taken to ensure the efficiency of refugee status determination procedures, including measures to increase the human, technical and financial resources allocated to the National Institute of Migration. Measures taken to facilitate access to asylum procedures and to ensure that asylum applications are assessed individually, accompanied by due process guarantees, as well as to ensure full respect for the principles of non-refoulement and non‑discrimination, in accordance with international obligations and standards in this area.

Access to justice (arts. 5 and 6)

Information on administrative and judicial remedies available for reporting cases or lodging complaints of racial discrimination and related offences. Measures to guarantee access to justice for Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees, in particular those aimed at facilitating the filing of complaints in cases of racial discrimination, and to reverse the burden of proof in favour of the victims. Measures to remove obstacles in the judicial system that hinder victims’ access to justice, including the complexity of procedures, distance to justice centres and the lack of specific measures in place to provide information on remedies, interpreters, bilingual public defenders and specialists in traditional justice systems. Information on complaints received, investigations opened and sentences secured by the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Protection of Ethnic Groups and Cultural Heritage during the period under review, with data disaggregated by population group and type of crime, and specific measures to combat impunity for crimes committed against Indigenous individuals and people of African descent.

Additional information on measures taken to comply with the judgments of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in cases concerning the rights of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, including Garifuna Community of Cayos Cochinos and its members v. Honduras, dated 20 November 2025; Garifuna Community of San Juan and its members v. Honduras, dated 29 August 2023; Miskito Divers (Lemoth Morris et al.) v. Honduras, dated 31 August 2021; Garifuna Community of Triunfo de la Cruz and its members v. Honduras, dated 8 October 2015; and Punta Piedra Garifuna Community and its members v. Honduras, dated 8 October 2015. Updated information on compliance with the operative provisions of the judgments in Garifuna Community of Triunfo de la Cruz and its members v. Honduras and Punta Piedra Garifuna Community and its members v. Honduras that are yet to be implemented, including the timeline for effective land regularization. Updated information on work to reform the Inter-Institutional Commission for Compliance with International Judgments, with input from the beneficiary communities, and on the outstanding titling or regularization claims made by other Garifuna communities. Information on the status of international arbitration proceedings initiated in connection with the employment and economic development zones, including measures taken to restore the territorial and cultural rights of the communities affected by those zones, and on the compatibility of the investor protection commitments made by the State Party with its obligations under the Convention.

Training, education and other measures to combat prejudice and intolerance (arts. 5 and 7)

Additional information on measures taken to strengthen human rights education, in particular education on the Convention and the fight against racial discrimination and xenophobia, in school curricula and training programmes for teachers and other professionals in the public and private sectors. Measures taken to disseminate the Convention and the Committee’s concluding observations in the languages of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent, in accordance with the recommendation made by the Committee in 2018. Information on the representation of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent in textbooks and curricula at all levels and on measures taken to promote knowledge and awareness of the cultural heritage and history of these groups and their contribution to the State Party’s society and culture. Initiatives to address the history of slavery and colonialism and their consequences, including in curricula at all levels.