_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "State of emergency in Honduras")
The United Nations (UN) has made an immediate request to the Honduran government to terminate the present state of emergency prior to the general elections set for November 30, 2025. The global organization asserts that extending this extraordinary measure poses a direct threat to the exercise of basic rights, as it restricts core freedoms like movement, gathering, and nonviolent protest. The UN cautions that upholding a state of emergency without proper regulation might harm the credibility of the electoral process and the country’s democratic climate.
In their announcement, the group highlights the necessity for elections to occur in a setting devoid of intimidation and undue limitations. Prolonging the emergency situation might foster an atmosphere of fear incompatible with open and just elections, potentially escalating the misuse of power and restricting the engagement of political and social figures. Consequently, they call for the complete reinstatement of constitutional protections to guarantee equal opportunities for involvement.
Dangers linked to the emergency situation in the election environment
Several organizations related to human rights within the United Nations framework have highlighted that the ongoing state of emergency in Honduras elevates the chances of authoritarian actions and directly impacts the political engagement of opposition groups and civil societal entities. The restriction of rights like protest and gathering threatens democratic progress, particularly during an election period.
The expert on civil and political freedoms has highlighted that democracy cannot coexist with suppression. Extending the state of emergency might weaken the legitimacy of the process and diminish public trust in the bodies tasked with ensuring open elections.
Appeal to ensure an open and fair voting procedure
Given these circumstances, the UN has urged the authorities in Honduras to completely reinstate the suspended constitutional rights and ensure the freedom of the press, public demonstrations, and citizen gatherings throughout the electoral period. It has also emphasized the necessity of reinforcing the National Electoral Council (CNE) as an autonomous institution and permitting unrestricted national and international observation to guarantee the process’s transparency and legitimacy.
The global organization determines that progressing toward legitimate elections is not feasible while a state of emergency is in effect. To safeguard the nation’s democratic principles, it is vital to remove this special measure and encourage active involvement from citizens, ensuring equal opportunities and full adherence to basic rights.