Colton Morris

October 2014
The Rights and Treatment of Refugees
Currently refugees are unjustly being forced from their country due to violent conflicts and crisis
such as the Syrian civil war. Even after the refugees are driven from their homeland and forced to go to
neighboring countries they face financial issues and their lives can be a great struggle. The refugees also
negatively impact the economy of neighboring countries where they seek safety from the unsafe, violent
conditions of their country.
Honduras is currently in a state of crisis due to its violent conditions. Honduras has issues of drug
smuggling, hostile gangs and high murder rates. Honduras has been accused of being the most dangerous
country on the planet outside a full-fledged war zone. Approximately 85 Hondurans for every 100,000
residents were killed in 2012. (Sherwell, 2013) Honduran citizens are rapidly fleeing their country
illegally; they are even sending unaccompanied minors through the dangerous desert of Mexico in an
attempt to escape their impoverished and dangerous country. (Chapell, 2014) They are desperately
seeking safety. The Obama administration is currently working with the Central American leadership to
consider supporting Honduran youth entering the US due to the need for emergency humanitarian
grounds. (Robles and Shear, 2014)
Although Honduras has no ability to impact this topic due to its current financial condition,
Honduras is willing to support the USCRI. Honduras cannot provide funding or support regarding this
topic due to the condition and stability of Honduras. Honduras has not contributed to any actions or
collaborated with any organizations protecting refugee treatment or rights. Due to Honduras and the
United States being collaborators and allies, Honduras is willing to support actions or resolutions
presented by the United States and the USCRI. Honduras respects the approach of the United States in
regards to housing and the treatment of refugees, based on the observation of treatment of Honduran
refugees in the past. Honduras is also in great need of the US support of their treatment and protection of
refugee children.

Honduras suggests a multi-layered resolution that creates a stable future and truly focuses on the
overall well-being of refugees. Honduras believes refugee support centers need to be created as soon as
possible in neighboring countries where refugees flee. These centers should provide the basic needs such
as food, water and clothing for these struggling people. The refugees need jobs and education to provide
a sustainable lifestyle. Non-governmental organizations (NGO) should provide jobs to try to reconstruct
a healthy economy. Honduras believes at this point in time, the United Nations needs to be concerned
about re-building neighboring countries economies and the refugees basic health and well-being.

References

2014 UNHCR regional operations profile - Latin America

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e492686.html
Welcome to Honduras, the most dangerous country on the Planet
Philip Sherwell 2013
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/honduras/10454018/Welcom
e-to-Honduras-the-most-dangerous-country-on-the-planet.html
U.S. Considering Refugee Status for Hondurans
Frances Robles and Michael D. Shear July 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/25/world/americas/administration-weighs-plan-to-move-processing-ofyouths-seeking-entry-to-honduras-.html
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on illegal migration: In short, its a crisis
Henry Hullah July 2014
http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/24/honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernandez-on-illegalmigration-in-short-its-a-crisis/
Honduras Overview
http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/honduras/overview
Americans Want to Treat Migrant Children as Refugees, Poll Says
Karla Zabludovsky July 2014
http://www.newsweek.com/americans-want-treat-migrant-children-refugees-poll-says-261995
U.N. Urges U.S. To Treat Migrants as Refugees
Bill Chappell, July 2014
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/07/08/329774643/u-n-urges-u-s-to-treat-migrants-as-refugees
US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
http://www.refugees.org/resources/for-lawyers/asylum-research/additional-asylum-researchresources/street-children-based-asylum.html