State of Exception Imposed

September 28, 2009

To: All American Citizens
From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section

The Embassy advises citizens residing in and visiting Honduras that the de facto regime issued a decree suspending certain rights under the Honduran constitution on Sunday, September 27, 2009. This decree affects all people in Honduras, including non-Hondurans. Specifically, the following articles of the Honduran Constitution have been suspended for the next 45 days (until November 11, 2009):

Article 69: The right to personal freedom
Article 72: Freedom of Speech
Article 78: Freedom of Association
Article 81: Freedom of Movement
Article 84: The right to due process

For the next 45 days, the defacto regime has stated that the local and national police, at times to be assisted by the military, will arrest individuals for the following reasons:

• Disobeying announced curfew, or appearing to engage in suspicious activities.
• Gathering in public without prior approval from police and military forces.
• Carrying out media announcements violating the law or government resolutions, or offending human dignity or any public official.

The de facto regime has also stated the following:

• Individuals that are arrested for violating the above listed restrictions will be detained.
• All public installations which are occupied by demonstrators or which are occupied by persons carrying out activities prohibited by law will be cleared.

The U.S. Department of State continues to strongly recommend that American citizens defer all non-essential travel to Honduras as these new restrictions will be in effect throughout Honduras, and may be extended beyond the 45 days originally announced.

The de facto regime has been imposing a curfew of varying time periods affecting various cities throughout Honduras since Monday, September 21. It is expected that this practice will continue for the foreseeable future.The Embassy recommends American citizens monitor local television and radio for updates to constitutional and travel restrictions and other security measures. The Embassy strongly recommends that American citizens abide by these restrictions.

Barring a change in the security situation or the imposition of a daytime curfew, the Embassy and the Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula will remain open to the public. Non-immigrant visa services remain suspended for all but emergency medical cases.

Honduran airports re-opened September 24 for domestic passenger flights and international cargo and mail flights. Most International passenger flights resumed on Friday, September 25. Those whose flights were cancelled due to the curfew should contact their airlines for further information.

The U.S. Embassy distributes its warden messages via email, and posts them on its website. Messages received via SMS to cell phones are not U.S. Embassy messages and do not reflect U.S. government travel advice.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website, where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Americans living or traveling in Honduras are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238-5114, after hours telephone (504) 236-8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238-4357; E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov; Webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov