Honduras
In Latin America, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA) – a cooperation organization for center-right parties in Latin America and a member of the International Democrat Union (IDU).
Population: 8,14 million (2011 estimate)
Area: 112 090 km2
GDP (PPP): 33,77 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 4 200 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 2,5 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state and head of government: Porfirio Lobo Sosa
Honduras gained its independence from Spain in 1821. In 1982, the country got its first democratically elected civil government thereby putting an end to decades of military governments. During the 80s, Nicaraguan Contras sought refuge in Honduras from the marxist Sandinista government.
The situation pertaining to human rights has improved in the last 20 years. Honduras has ratified the main conventions and there are no obvious problems as to their implementation. Rule of law is weakened by a legal system that is politicised, corrupt and generally inefficient. The police are often involved in drug trafficking and extrajudicial execution. Freedom of speech and freedom of press is restricted.
Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America and ranks among the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Relative political stability over the most recent couple of decades has ensured modest economic growth. However, hurricane Mitch erradicated much of this progress when it hit Honduras in 1998. Proprietary rights are not sufficiently safeguarded and the extensive bureaucracy is a deterrent to companies and investors.
The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with Partido Nacional (PN), the biggest party in the parliament with 71 mandates and currently holding the presidency. The next parliamentary and presidential election is due to November 2013.
It is a stated goal of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation to educate female decision-makers. In the autumn of 2010, the conference Empoderamiento de Mujeres took place in Honduras. The participants came from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the Dominican republic. Concurrently with this conference a youth conference was arranged around a Jarl Hjalmarson publication entitled “Principles for a Free Society”.
