Honduras tightens laws against protests: risks for human rights

The recent approval of reforms to the Criminal Code in Honduras has caused concern among different social and political sectors in the country. These changes have been interpreted as a significant change in the legal framework regulating social protest, especially in the context of the general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025. The debate has intensified due to the perception that these reforms could be used to limit the right to protest and freedom of expression, which are fundamental rights in any democracy.

The National Congress has enacted amendments that heighten punishments for offenses linked to social demonstrations, particularly through the introduction of Article 378-A. This clause dictates that any protest activity conducted by two or more individuals could lead to a longer jail term, stretching from six to ten years, alongside complete disqualification. Groups focused on human rights and representatives from civil society have voiced worries about the potential utilization of these changes to criminalize non-violent protests and limit the rights to gather and speak freely.

Changes in criminal laws and their effect on public demonstrations

National and international organizations have criticized the changes to the Criminal Code. The increased severity of punishments for individuals involved in group protests has been seen as a potential tool to discourage public demonstrations. Groups advocating for human rights contend that these actions might restrict social involvement and the practice of basic rights. Worries are amplified by the chance that these regulations could be implemented during times of political or election-related tension, when public protest often rises.

Events from the 2017 elections—marked by reports of unjust detentions and suppression of demonstrators—heighten concerns about the potential recurrence of these actions under the revised legal structure. Within this setting, civil society along with political figures have expressed concern over the possibility that turning protests into criminal acts might be utilized as a means to suppress opposition and limit public involvement in essential political activities.

Global responses and demands for reconsideration

Worry over the effects of these reforms has extended past the confines of any single country. Global organizations like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have voiced their apprehensions regarding the recent changes to the Honduran Penal Code. These agencies have both appealed to the State to revisit these modifications to guarantee they uphold the essential rights of its citizens.

In this scenario, ensuring the observance of human rights and preventing the misuse of criminal laws as a means to suppress opposition and peaceful protests is crucial. The discussion regarding the range and implementation of these reforms continues, while different groups emphasize the necessity to reassess the legal framework to guarantee the genuine safeguarding of basic liberties in Honduras.