Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called for the protection of children in Honduras, who are victims of violence and to give priority to the investigation of recent homicides which have occurred in the Central American country. After the recent murders of children in detention centers or in their communities, the Honduran authorities have to carry out rapid and impartial investigations and to apply appropriate sanctions "to prevent impunity and the recurrence of such crimes", said the IACHR. Among the many cases of violence, abuse and harassment against these little ones have emerged over the recent death and injury of some, due to the explosion of a bomb in a reform school in the city of San Pedro Sula, in the north of Honduras; others were stabbed in their homes, others tortured and murdered. All cases were attributed to criminal gangs, known as maras. These serious episodes take place in a context of generalized violence and insecurity that puts boys, girls and adolescents in a particularly vulnerable position. The IACHR, an autonomous body of the American States Organization", condemns the killing of children and adolescents in Honduras and believes that this serious problem must be considered as a priority by the State". In 2012 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that Honduras is where the highest murder rate, 90.4 per 100 thousand inhabitants is registered. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 15/05/2014)
