State of emergency in Honduras: impact on the 2025 electoral process

The United Nations (UN) has issued an urgent call to the Government of Honduras to lift the current state of emergency before the general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025. According to the international body, the prolongation of this exceptional measure represents a direct risk to the exercise of fundamental rights, as it limits essential freedoms such as freedom of movement, assembly, and peaceful demonstration. The UN warns that maintaining a state of emergency without adequate oversight could negatively affect the credibility of the electoral process and the democratic environment in the country.

In their announcement, the group emphasizes that voting should occur in a setting devoid of any threats or unreasonable limitations. Continuing the emergency status might foster an atmosphere of fear that is contrary to clear and just elections, potentially elevating the possibility of power misuse and hindering the engagement of political and community participants. Hence, a complete reinstatement of constitutional rights is advocated to guarantee fair conditions 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 this context, the United Nations has urged the Honduran government to completely reinstate the paused constitutional rights and ensure freedom of media, protest, and public movement during the election period. Additionally, it has underlined the necessity of bolstering the function of the National Electoral Council (CNE) as an autonomous entity and permitting unrestricted local and global observation to guarantee the transparency and legitimacy of the procedure.

The international body concludes that it is not possible to move toward legitimate elections under a state of emergency. To protect the democratic integrity of the country, it is essential to lift this extraordinary measure and promote active citizen participation, under equal conditions and with full respect for fundamental rights.