Mayan Route Law
Congreso Nacional
- Decree: 77-2022
- Published: November 22, 2022
- Issuing body: Congreso Nacional
- Gazette: 36,083
- Category: Administrative
Summary
This law creates the 'Maya Route' as a permanent program that promotes cultural exchanges about Maya heritage between Honduras and other nations. It establishes an interinstitutional committee to coordinate expeditions visiting archaeological sites like Copán, offering free access and government support without public spending, as participants and sponsoring companies will cover costs.
Considerations
Whereas, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2, numeral 1) of Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, it establishes that governments shall assume the responsibility of developing, with the participation of the peoples concerned, a coordinated and systematic course of action with a view to protecting the rights of those peoples and to guaranteeing respect for their integrity.
Whereas, the MAYA PEOPLE have a defined territory in what we know as Mesoamerica that transcends borders and countries of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and the States of Southern Mexico.
Whereas, in the Western part of our country, the Chortí Maya People prevail over time, and the Maya Ceremonial Center of Copán Ruins, declared a World Heritage Site, exists.
Whereas, the United Nations Organization (UN) declared from 2022 to 2032 the "INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES," in order to safeguard Indigenous languages throughout the world, many of which are in danger of extinction.
Whereas, in accordance with the provisions established in Article 205, Attribution 1) of the Constitution of the Republic, it is the prerogative of the National Congress to: Create, Decree, Interpret, reform, and repeal laws.
Articles
Declare the "MAYAN ROUTE" as a Permanent Program of National Interest, whose purpose is the promotion of cultural exchanges with other nations of the world, based on ancestral values common to the American Region.
Create the Interinstitutional Committee of Permanent Support, for the coordination of activities that will be carried out by successive expeditions of the "MAYAN ROUTE".
The Interinstitutional Committee of Permanent Support shall be composed of one representative from the following Institutions:
- 1)
Secretariat of State for the Offices of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation (SRECI);
- 2)
Secretariat of State for the Office of Education (SEDUC);
- 3)
Secretariat of State for the Office of Cultures, Arts and Patrimonies of the Peoples of Honduras;
- 4)
Secretariat of State for the Office of Tourism;
- 5)
Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT), as the operative arm of the Secretariat of State for the Office of Tourism;
- 6)
Association of Municipalities of Honduras (AMHON);
- 7)
Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH); and,
- 8)
A representative of indigenous organizations.
This Decree is complementary to other legislative initiatives of Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and other countries that may join in the institutionalization process of the MAYAN ROUTE, with active participation of Honduras as the gateway to the wonderful Mayan World.
The expeditions of the Mayan Route that visit our country shall not generate expenditures to the public treasury, considering that Honduras' contribution shall be the support of our Diplomatic Service for the adequate dissemination of the call throughout the world, for optimal selection of participants, to provide free access to archaeological sanctuaries, accompanied by distinguished archaeologists, historians and intellectual guides, while the Armed Forces of Honduras shall provide housing facilities in their military garrisons as has been done in similar expeditions, and other requirements may be addressed through the contributions of the participants themselves and sponsorship by companies with corporate responsibility and social commitment, through the efforts of the Interinstitutional Committee of Permanent Support.
This Law shall be regulated by the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH), within a maximum period of sixty (60) days, counted from the date of its coming into force.
This Law shall come into force as of the day of its publication in the Official Gazette "LA GACETA". Given in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, in the Session Hall of the National Congress, on the third day of the month of August of Two Thousand Twenty-Two. LUIS ROLANDO REDONDO GUIFARRO PRESIDENT CARLOS ARMANDO ZELAYA ROSALES SECRETARY LUZ ANGÉLICA SMITH MEJÍA SECRETARY To the Executive Power Therefore: Let It Be Executed Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., August 12, 2022 IRIS XIOMARA CASTRO SARMIENTO PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE OFFICE OF TOURISM YADIRA ESTHER GOMEZ CHAVARRÍA
Related laws
- Decreto Legislativo No. 77-2022 — Ley de la Ruta Maya — This law establishes the Maya Route as a permanent program that promotes international cultural exchanges based on Maya heritage, protecting indigenous culture. A committee of public institutions and indigenous organizations will coordinate expeditions visiting archaeological sites like Copán at no cost to the State, using diplomatic support, military facilities, and private sponsorships. (Decree 77-2022, 2022)
- Decreto Legislativo No. 23-2026 — Aprobar Contrato de Préstamo No.16404PL del Fondo OPEP para Programa de Igualdad de Género e Inclusión Social (Decree 23-2026, 2026)
- Resolución No. 03-2019 — Inscripción del Partido Nueva Ruta de Honduras (PNRH) (Decree 03-2019, 2019)
- Agreement No. 014-2024 — This agreement approves Honduras' National Forest Restoration Strategy 2023-2030, which establishes a plan to recover 1.3 million hectares of degraded forests through reforestation and natural regeneration. The strategy aims to combat climate change, improve food security, and create economic opportunities in rural communities, involving public institutions, private entities, and local organizations. (Decree No-014-2024, 2024)
- Decreto Legislativo No. 87-2015 — Aprobación de Contrato de Préstamo No. 3371/BL-HO con el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo para Programa de Apoyo al Sistema de Protección Social — Honduras approves a US$ 109.87 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to execute a Social Protection System Support Program focused on improving human capital accumulation in minors from extremely poor families in rural areas of western Honduras. The country commits to repay the loan with interest according to established terms, with Honduras responsible for program execution through the Secretariat of Social Development and Inclusion. (Decree 87-2015, 2015)