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Honduras Congress approves harsh new laws against gangs and terrorist groups
The Honduran National Congress has approved the Special Law for the Strengthening of the Penal and Procedural Framework in the Combat against Terrorist Associations, Maras, and Gangs. The legislation introduces significantly harsher penalties for criminal organizations, including MS-13, Barrio 18, and the Diablo Cartel. Under the new reforms, gang members face prison sentences of 30 to 40 years, while leaders and financiers can face life imprisonment.
Key procedural changes include extending the deadline for prosecutors to present requirements after a detention from 24 to 48 hours. The law also implements a new penitentiary regime, with some detainees subjected to 23.5 hours of daily confinement. Additionally, the Ley Casa Segura expands the presumption of self-defense for individuals facing violent or illegal intrusions on private properties, such as homes, businesses, and vehicles.
National Police Director Rigoberto Oseguera Mass has urged gang members to surrender voluntarily via a newly established hotline, 8791-2158. While authorities emphasize these measures are necessary to restore peace, human rights groups like C-Libre have warned that the reforms could lead to arbitrary detentions and criminal profiling based on physical appearance or tattoos.
Entities
Andalusia · C-Libre · Distrito Nacional · Dominican Republic · Honduras · Luis Jesús Esteban Lezáun · MS-13 · Mara Salvatrucha · National Congress of Honduras · National Police of Honduras · National Police of Spain · Odir Fernández
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Honduran Congress approved the Special Law for the Strengthening of the Penal and Procedural Framework in the Combat against Terrorist Associations, Maras, and Gangs. elproselitista.hn · hondurasalinstante.com · paradigma.hn · reportarsinmiedo.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] The reform extends the deadline for presenting a prosecutor's requirement from 24 to 48 hours after detention. paradigma.hn · clibrehonduras.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The National Police established a hotline, 8791-2158, for gang members to surrender voluntarily. elproselitista.hn · hondurasalinstante.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] C-Libre warns that the reforms pose risks of arbitrary detentions and criminal profiling based on physical appearance. clibrehonduras.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A new penitentiary regime includes 23.5 hours of daily confinement for certain detainees.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gang leaders and financiers can face life imprisonment. hondurasalinstante.com · paradigma.hn · reportarsinmiedo.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ley Casa Segura expands the presumption of self-defense for illegal or violent property intrusions. contextohn.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gang members face prison sentences of 30 to 40 years. paradigma.hn · reportarsinmiedo.org · hondurasalinstante.com