Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is primarily written for law firms representing asylum applicants from
Honduras and other countries in
Latin America & the Caribbean, although it may also be useful for applicants themselves.
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am the founder of
The Human Rights, an international agency of expert witnesses specializing in expert reports for asylum seekers worldwide (website: thehuman-rights.com).
We provide expert witness reports on human rights violations, political persecution, and asylum-related risks across key regions, including:
- Post-Soviet Region (CIS): Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.
- East Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda.
- South & Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
- Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
- Western Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Latin America & the Caribbean: Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.
- East Asia: China, North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar.
In this article, I will explain how our team approaches the analysis of the situation in
Honduras and other
Latin America & Caribbean countries, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and discuss why an expert witness report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.
What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an
expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution and cannot return to
Honduras or another
Latin America & Caribbean country due to the risks involved. The report serves as witness testimony in the asylum case, providing expert insight into the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:
- At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in Honduras or another Latin America & Caribbean country.
- At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.
Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report
1.
Contextual AnalysisAn expert witness report confirms the broader situation in
Honduras and other
Latin America & Caribbean countries, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.
2.
Personal Risk AssessmentThe report demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s individual threats and the conditions in their country. Whether it’s due to their political views, ethnicity, religion, or gender, the report will explain why they are personally at risk in
Honduras or another
Latin America & Caribbean country.
3.
Strengthening the Evidence BaseAn expert witness report verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution. Vulnerable groups can include ethnic or religious minorities, journalists, political activists, and women, particularly in countries like
Honduras, where these groups may face targeted violence.
4.
Support with Credible SourcesThe report references authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others. All sources are formatted according to the
OSCOLA citation standard.
Country Expert Witness on
Honduras and
Latin America & Caribbean Countries
At
The Human Rights, we specialize in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from
Honduras and other countries in the
Latin America & Caribbean region. Our reports are tailored to asylum cases in the
UK,
USA,
Canada, and the
EU, ensuring compliance with immigration law standards and expert witness requirements.
We provide in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in
Honduras and other
Latin America & Caribbean countries, addressing issues such as:
- Violence and Organized Crime: Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world, largely due to the influence of gangs, drug cartels, and organized criminal groups. Asylum applicants from Honduras, particularly those who are public figures, journalists, human rights activists, or members of vulnerable groups, are often at risk of violence, extortion, and death threats from these groups.
- Government Corruption and Impunity: Corruption within the government and law enforcement agencies has perpetuated a climate of impunity, where criminal acts often go unpunished. Applicants who have been targeted by corrupt officials or who have sought justice for human rights abuses may face continued threats in Honduras.
- Political Persecution: Political activists, particularly those who oppose the current government, face significant risks in Honduras. Protestors, opposition leaders, and human rights advocates may be subject to harassment, arbitrary detention, or violence, especially during periods of political unrest.
- Gender-Based Violence: Women in Honduras, particularly those in rural areas, face high rates of domestic violence, femicide, and sexual violence. These crimes are often underreported, and the justice system lacks the resources and will to protect women. Asylum applicants who are women, especially those seeking to escape abusive relationships or violence due to their gender, may face significant risks.
- Indigenous Rights: Indigenous peoples in Honduras, particularly the Garífuna and Lenca, face land dispossession, environmental destruction, and violence due to their efforts to resist encroachment on their land by multinational corporations. Indigenous leaders and activists often face violence, intimidation, and even death at the hands of state and non-state actors.
- LGBTQ+ Rights: The LGBTQ+ community in Honduras faces significant discrimination, violence, and harassment, particularly from religious and conservative sectors of society. Those who identify as LGBTQ+ may be subject to violence, forced displacement, and discrimination in employment and education.
Why Choose Our Expert Witness Reports?
Collective Expertise & VerificationOur reports are prepared by regional country experts, researchers, and legal analysts, ensuring accuracy and depth. Every report undergoes fact-checking and validation by our senior experts before submission.
Court-Tested Reports & Expert TestimonyOur experts are available to testify in court, reinforcing the credibility of the asylum applicant’s case. We follow the highest standards of expert witness reporting, including OSCOLA citation formatting and references to leading human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR, etc.).
Customized Reports for Each CaseWe tailor each report to the specific applicant’s circumstances, linking their personal risks to the broader situation in their country of origin.
Strong Track Record of SuccessOur reports have played a key role in successful asylum applications and appeals, helping individuals prove their risk of persecution.