New extension slows arrival of CICIH in Honduras

The creation of the International Commission against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH), a key campaign pledge by President Xiomara Castro, has been delayed yet again following the fifth renewal of the memorandum of understanding with the United Nations. This week’s announcement aligns with the ongoing stagnation in the National Congress regarding the approval of constitutional changes vital for the operation of the anti-corruption initiative.

The deadlock has sparked renewed criticism from multiple areas of civil society and the international community, who see the delay as an indication of declining governmental dedication to combating impunity. The absence of legislative agreement, especially regarding the removal of parliamentary immunity, is hindering the successful setup of the CICIH, even after a second official proposal was sent to the UN in September 2024.

Institutional and social reactions

The executive branch has consistently expressed its readiness to create the commission, highlighting progress in discussions with the United Nations. Nonetheless, its establishment relies on legal and constitutional changes that need to be passed by Congress, where adequate backing has yet to be secured.

In response to the new extension, critical sectors have expressed their dissatisfaction with the handling of the process.

A member of the National Party in congress referred to the renewal as “a setback for those who had faith in the promise of justice,” highlighting the dissatisfaction within the political opposition. At the same time, groups like the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), Transparency International, and the Bar Association have urged for the removal of the institutional barrier that is stopping the project’s progress.

Political obstacles and public weariness

The establishment of the CICIH encounters numerous challenges in the political arena. Some of these include the structural changes required to eliminate legislative protections seen by social figures as a barrier to effectively combating corruption. The absence of political commitment in Congress has been highlighted by various observers as a key reason for the deadlock.

Over two years since Castro took office, community groups and civic networks express concern over a discrepancy between early pledges and tangible measures. These groups claim that the ongoing delay of significant decisions has weakened trust in the government and the institutional framework overall.

Demandas de intervención y presión global

The updated agreement lacks a specific timeline for setting up the CICIH, which international observers warn might endanger the nation’s reputation concerning global partnership. The sense of stagnation has led to doubts among foreign participants, potentially resulting in adverse impacts on the economic and technical assistance that Honduras gets to bolster its democratic institutions.

Considering this situation, multiple perspectives emphasize the pressing necessity to move forward by promptly endorsing the essential reforms, enabling the conclusion of a definitive agreement with the UN. These measures, they assert, would not only initiate a strategy to tackle corruption but also demonstrate a dedication to transparency and responsibility.

Uncertain institutional outlook

The extended duration of setting up the CICIH underscores the fundamental challenges Honduras encounters in creating an autonomous and efficient framework. The continuous presence of legal barriers, along with the absence of political agreement, has stalled a key initiative intended to address impunity in the nation.

The scenario emphasizes the conflicts between the global obligations undertaken by the executive branch and the internal workings of the legislature, alongside the difficulty in turning political promises into tangible structural changes. At the same time, the nation lacks an international support system to probe high-stake cases, bringing into question the endurance of institutional initiatives to fight corruption in both the short and medium term.