Honduras: Information on alternative service in the military and on whether students who are enrolled in school are exempt from compulsory service
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HND24120.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Honduras: Information on alternative service in the military and on whether students who are enrolled in school are exempt from compulsory service, 1 June 1996, HND24120.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acd79c.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 13 June 1996 telephone interview with a professor of political science specializing in Honduran affairs at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The professor has published extensively on Honduran affairs and undertook field research on the reform of the military in Honduras in January 1996.
The professor stated that at present the Honduran armed forces "are melting away and that desertion is widespread with no consequences to the deserters." The professor mentioned that highly-ranked military officials stated to him during his last stay in Honduras that "deserters are not hunted down. They are left alone unless they have stolen some kind of material belonging to the army." The professor also reported that the draft has been abolished by president Reina and replaced by a lottery system which brought poor results in terms of the number of recruits who showed up after being selected. The professor stated that "these young people have never been harrassed or persecuted because they failed to show up."
The professor mentioned that the Honduran army is currently undergoing a process to make itself attractive to young people by giving them decent wages and good food. The professor had no information about the current existence of an alternative service.He mentioned that under the current system "young men, whether they be students or else, have nothing to fear from the Honduran army."
For additional and recent information on the changes occuring within the Honduran military and the current status of conscription, please consult Response to Information Request HND22623.E of 11 January 1996 and its attachments. Pages 48 and 49 of the attached article from the Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs briefly analyze recent changes concerning conscription in Honduras.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Department of Political Science, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 13 June 1996. Telephone interview with a professor specializing in Honduran affairs.
Attachments
Inter Press Service. 19 May 1996. Thelma Mejía. "Military Continues Its Strategy of Intimidation." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. Vol. 11, No. 8. 13-26 May 1996, pp. 9-10)
Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs. [Miami, Fla]. Vol. 38, No. 1.
J. Mark Ruhl. "Redefining Civil-Military Relations in Honduras," pp. 33-66.
The San Francisco Chronicle. 23 January 1996. John Otis. "In Honduras, The Military's Influence Is Fading." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. Vol. 11, No. 26. 22 Jan.-4 Feb. 1996, pp. 8-9)
The Washington Post. 24 March 1996. Douglas Farah. "Honduras Begins Holding Army Accountable." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. Vol. 11, No. 5. 1-14 April 1996, pp. 7-8)
