Law for the Protection of Honduran Migrants and Their Family Members

PURPOSE. The provisions of this Law are of public order and have as their purpose:

• 1)

  To establish the norms and conditions to make it possible for Hondurans abroad to exercise their constitutional rights and duties;

• 2)

  To establish the legal framework within which the State of Honduras must exercise its protective action with respect to the dignity, human rights and other constitutional guarantees and rights of Hondurans abroad, regardless of their documented or undocumented status, particularly in those areas where, in accordance with international treaties, conventions and customs, it is necessary to complement the protection existing in the country where they have their domicile, residence or are temporarily located;

• 3)

  To support mechanisms for combating human traffickers, criminal networks engaged in clandestine migration and exploitation of minors and women, in accordance with the provisions of the Law Against Human Trafficking, Legislative Decree No. 59-2012 dated April 25, 2012;

• 4)

  To periodically quantify the number of Hondurans abroad, their human condition, activities to which they are engaged, their migratory status, including those accused and imprisoned for committing crimes in the country where they have established their domicile, residence or are temporarily located;

• 5)

  To provide legal and economic support to every Honduran who has been accused of committing a crime abroad, as well as to verify the proper and fair compliance of their rights throughout the entire defense process;

• 6)

  To ensure special protection for extending the protective action of the State of Honduras to Hondurans abroad who are in situations of hardship, especially if they are minors, women, elderly adults, persons with disabilities or Hondurans with difficulties in social or employment integration;

• 7)

  To promote bilateral and multilateral agreements on the regularization of the migratory status of Honduran migrants, their situation in detention centers or penal facilities, completion of sentences in Honduras, deportation, repatriation or voluntary return, as the case may be;

• 8)

  To promote significant reduction of financial costs and others associated with the sending of family remittances, as well as the coverage and quality of financial services offered to Honduran migrants and their families;

• 9)

  To encourage the use of remittances in investments in human capital, productive activities and community social infrastructure;

• 10)

  To strengthen the cultural, social and economic ties of Honduran migrants among themselves and with Honduras;

• 11)

  To promote and consolidate the organization of Honduran migrants, supporting the creation and operation of civil associations and centers for Honduran migrants whose purpose is the provision and social, cultural and legal assistance to Hondurans abroad, as well as the regularization of their migratory status in the country where they intend to live or their reintegration into Honduras;

• 12)

  To configure the policies and programs that the State of Honduras should develop in the event of the return of Hondurans to the country, in order to facilitate their social, employment or business integration;

• 13)

  To support civil associations of returned Hondurans constituted in Honduras in order to facilitate information, guidance and counseling;

• 14)

  To support associations and networks of families in Honduras of Honduran migrants;

• 15)

  To promote consultation of Hondurans abroad in the formulation of public policies that concern them, through the Councils of Hondurans abroad; and 16) To establish mandatory intergovernmental and intersectoral coordination between agencies with responsibility for Honduran migrants and between those and non-governmental and international organizations for the protection and defense of the human rights of migrants.

SUBJECTS OF THIS LAW. The subjects of this Law are:

• 1)

  Hondurans who are outside the national territory with the intention of residing temporarily or permanently in another country;

• 2)

  Hondurans who are temporarily displaced abroad or those who are in transit through another country either migrating or returning to Honduras;

• 3)

  Hondurans who return to Honduras to establish their permanent residence, provided they have Honduran nationality before the return, without prejudice to what the Constitution of the Republic establishes; and,

• 4)

  The family members of those mentioned in the preceding numerals, understanding as such the spouse and the ascendants of both spouses in the first degree and the descendants under eighteen years of age or of legal age who are under their care and depend on them economically.

RIGHT TO NATIONALITY. No Honduran may be deprived of their nationality even when they acquire another nationality. Nationality is the legal and political bond that relates Hondurans to the State of Honduras, and also represents the spiritual and cultural relationship that unifies them through bonds of tradition, common interests and aspirations. In such sense, the Hondurans and family members described in Article 2 above shall enjoy consular protection of the State of Honduras abroad when appropriate, and in the national territory they have the rights that their nationality grants them.

RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO BE ELECTED. In the framework of this Law:

• 1)

  Hondurans abroad have the right to vote and to be elected under the conditions established by Law in electoral matters;

• 2)

  The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the National Registry of Persons (RNP) must ensure, through the Consulates of Honduras, the preparation and constant updating of the census of Honduran voters who reside permanently abroad and register in such consular entities. For these purposes, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), the National Registry of Persons (RNP) and the Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations, must strengthen the Consulates so that they can efficiently handle these functions and those assigned to them by Law in electoral matters as collaborators of the electoral and regional authorities;

• 3)

  The Identity Card issued through the consulates of Honduras may be extended in the language of the country of residence of the Honduran abroad, an issuance process that must be regulated by the National Registry of Persons (RNP). In accordance with Article 100 of the Law of the National Registry of Persons (RNP), and no later than ninety (90) days after the entry into force of this Law, the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Persons (RNP) shall issue the Agreement for the creation of the special geographic codes that apply;

• 4)

  The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) must adopt the regulatory provisions and promote the mechanisms that facilitate Honduran citizens and young people in the associations of Hondurans abroad and must ensure the prevention of any discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, creed, political ideology or for any other reason.

RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER BENEFITS. In the framework of this Law:

• 1)

  Hondurans by birth residing abroad shall have the right to register and contribute to the Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) to obtain surgical medical care under the terms established by regulation by the Board of Directors of the Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) and to the Private Contributions System (RAP) to obtain the benefits established by its respective Law;

• 2)

  In the same terms as the preceding numeral, Hondurans also have the right to contribute to the IHSS and RAP for their family members residing in Honduras, understood as those described in Article 2, numeral 4) of this Law and in accordance with what is established by regulation by the Board of Directors of such institutions;

• 3)

  The Boards of Directors of the Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) and the Private Contributions System (RAP) shall issue no later than ninety (90) days after the entry into force of this Law, the necessary regulatory provisions to make these rights effective;

• 4)

  The State of Honduras may enter into Treaties, Conventions or Agreements with other States or when appropriate, with public or private entities that are insurance companies or health care providers in the countries where necessary to open access to those systems to Honduran migrants; and,

• 5)

  The State through the Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) must promote the celebration of Treaties, Conventions or Agreements with receiving States, their ratification or accession to multilateral Treaties and Conventions, to guarantee Honduran workers abroad access to social security in a destination country and if necessary to recognize equality or assimilate to the nationals of the receiving country, the same rights that Honduran legislation recognizes to our compatriots, while maintaining acquired rights and the preservation of rights in the course of acquisition of these.

ACTIONS FOR SOCIAL-LABOR INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN OCCUPATIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR RETURNEES. The State through its centralized and decentralized institutions shall exercise the following actions in favor of returnees and irrenounceably promote the participation of returned Hondurans in occupational professional training programs.

RIGHTS IN MATTERS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OCCUPATION. The State must promote through the Secretariat of State in the Office of Labor and Social Security the following actions:

• 1)

  To inform Honduran men and women job seekers abroad and returnees about the most effective ways to search for employment and improve their employment opportunities;

• 2)

  To ensure that the hiring conditions of Honduran professionals and workers with companies based abroad are as beneficial as possible;

• 3)

  To create temporary employment programs abroad, coordinated and supported by the State of Honduras through the Secretariat of State in the Office of Labor and Social Security;

• 4)

  To propose to the Legislative Branch tax incentives and others for industries and services that employ returned Hondurans;

• 5)

  To promote the application of fundamental standards for the protection of Honduran migrant workers to prevent their exploitation and forced labor abroad, particularly in activities such as agriculture, forestry, livestock, services, particularly domestic service, and industry, among others. Special attention must be given to occupational health and safety conditions, adequate wages and housing, non-labor discrimination, occupational training or education and the freedoms of movement, association, unionization and collective bargaining in accordance with the legislation of the destination country, combating child labor, gender equality in treatment and remuneration, combating and reporting sexual discrimination and exploitation in accordance with International Law;

• 6)

  To assist so that Honduran migrant workers have the possibility to defend their rights before the competent authority in their destination country, personally or through a representative; and,

• 7)

  To demand compliance with the Treaties, Conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) with respect to the work of migrants.

RIGHT TO EDUCATION. The State must promote through the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) and the Secretariat of State in the Office of Education, the creation of online study plans to provide opportunities for Honduran migrants to pursue higher, middle and basic education.

MECHANISMS FOR THE INCORPORATION OF DEGREES. The State shall continue to adopt the necessary measures for the simplification and acceleration of procedures for the homologation, validation and recognition of foreign degrees and studies, in order to facilitate the continuity of education in Honduras of returned Hondurans and, where appropriate, their insertion in the labor market, in accordance with applicable legislation.

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND HONDURAN CULTURE. The migrant and their family members residing abroad must be informed in the following manner: 1) The Secretariat of State in the Office of Education and the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) must facilitate programs through media, radio, television, associations and centers of Hondurans abroad so that Honduran descendants abroad learn to read and write the Spanish language; and, 2) Through the same means, the Secretariat of State in the Office of Culture, Arts and Sports must execute a special program to permanently promote the dissemination and knowledge of Honduran culture abroad, particularly by the children of Honduran migrants so that they maintain their affective and cultural ties with Honduras and their families in our country.

PURPOSE OF THE PROTECTION POLICY. The State of Honduras shall execute policies and programs for the protection of Honduran migrants, regardless of their regular or irregular migratory status, which must be based on the following principles:

• 1)

  To promote that Honduran migrants be treated abroad with respect, dignity, and protection of their human rights in accordance with International Treaties, Conventions and Declarations;

• 2)

  To execute a program of consular protection in accordance with international standards on the matter, in order to:

  • a)

    Assist Honduran migrants who are detained, deprived of liberty, hospitalized or in situations of hardship, orienting them with regard to their human rights and counseling them on labor, criminal, civil, migratory and administrative matters, including the obtaining of official Honduran documents in accordance with the requirements and security conditions established for such purposes by the corresponding authorities;

  • b)

    To assist in the repatriation of the ill, minors, incapacitated persons or those in terminal condition and to assist in the exchange or transfer of prisoners to serve their sentences in the country of origin, when there are Treaties, Conventions or Agreements with the destination country; and, c) To assist by all means at its disposal so that Honduran migrants may communicate at any time with the Consular or diplomatic authorities of Honduras or where appropriate with those of the State to which Honduras has entrusted the consular protection of its nationals.

• 3)

  To take all possible measures to prevent and denounce the exploitation of Honduran migrants, particularly by organized crime;

• 4)

  To carry out the necessary actions to protect the rights of Honduran migrant workers and members of their families;

• 5)

  To promote and jointly regulate with the Secretariat of State in the Office of Labor and Social Security temporary employment programs or permanent hiring of Hondurans abroad;

• 6)

  To promote bilateral and multilateral agreements on the regularization of the migratory status of Honduran migrants, their situation in detention centers or penal facilities, completion of sentences in Honduras, deportation, repatriation or voluntary return, as the case may be;

• 7)

  To promote significant reduction of financial costs and others associated with the sending of family remittances and the coverage and quality of financial services offered to Honduran migrants and their families;

• 8)

  To encourage the use of remittances in productive activities and community social infrastructures;

• 9)

  To invoke compliance with International Treaties, Conventions and Declarations for the protection of Honduran migrant children, youth and women;

• 10)

  To promote through diplomatic or consular management the access of Honduran migrants to basic health services in transit and destination locations;

• 11)

  To develop alliances at the national and international level with migration authorities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to protect the rights of Honduran migrants;

• 12)

  To combat discrimination against Honduran migrants and xenophobia and to denounce in the international forums of which Honduras is a member any type of discrimination against them;

• 13)

  To combat child labor and all forms of exploitation and abuse against minors;

• 14)

  To combat human trafficking;

• 15)

  To fight against sexual exploitation of Honduran migrant minors and women and to sign Treaties, Conventions or Agreements with Governments and private institutions that make the fight against these crimes effective; and,

• 16)

  To execute programs that discourage clandestine or irregular migration, informing the population of the dangers and difficulties faced by migrants in transit and destination countries.

PURPOSES OF THE RETURN POLICY. 1.- The State of Honduras shall promote a comprehensive policy for the return of Hondurans abroad and achieve their social and labor reintegration. For such purposes, governmental institutions, for an effective and efficient use of public resources, shall obligatorily coordinate their actions so that the social and labor integration of Hondurans who return is carried out under the most favorable conditions possible; 2. The governmental institutions shall adopt the necessary measures to remove obstacles that make it difficult for returned Hondurans to access the benefits or social services existing in Honduras under the same conditions as Hondurans who reside in the country; 3. The State of Honduras shall ensure particularly to prevent discrimination against women who return without their own resources so that they can access aid even if they do not accredit periods of work abroad; and, 4. The governmental institutions shall provide the mechanisms for implementing a plan to promote employment and labor incorporation of Hondurans who return and their families to facilitate their insertion into the labor market. For such purposes, within the framework of employment policy, occupational professional training programs shall be promoted, agreements with chambers of commerce and industry of the country, agreements with associations of specialized sectors in the private enterprise, as well as reforms to simplify procedures related to the homologation of academic and professional credentials and driver's licenses for returned Hondurans.

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HONDURAN MIGRANT (CONAPROHM). The National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) is created as an advisory and consultative body, attached to the Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations, whose structure and internal regime shall be regulated by the Regulations of this Law.

POWERS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HONDURAN MIGRANT (CONAPROHM). The powers of the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) are the following:

• 1)

  To propose the conduct of studies on situations and problems that affect or benefit Hondurans abroad;

• 2)

  To formulate proposals, recommendations and draft laws in relation to the objectives and application of this Law, national policy and programs related to migration;

• 3)

  To receive the semi-annual reports that agencies of the Public Administration with competence in matters concerning Honduran migrants must obligatorily present to it, which shall be determined by the Council itself, on their actions in the field of their responsibilities and in the compliance with this Law and its Regulations;

• 4)

  To know and report, with prior character, on Draft Laws and Legislative Projects, Agreements, Regulations, Instructions and other legal instruments within its competence, related to the following matters: civil rights, political rights, labor rights, economic rights, social protection, education, culture and any other that concerns Honduran migrants; and,

• 5)

  To propose to the Secretary of State in the Office of Foreign Relations the Internal Regulations of the Council. The Draft Laws, proposals, recommendations, reports or agreements that the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) raises to the Executive Branch shall be sent through the Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations.

The National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) shall be composed of representatives of high level from the following institutions and sectors:

• 1)

  The Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations, which shall preside over it;

• 2)

  The Secretariat of State in the Office of Justice and Human Rights;

• 3)

  The Secretariat of State in the Office of Labor and Social Security;

• 4)

  The Secretariat of State in the Office of Industry and Commerce;

• 5)

  The Secretariat of State in the Office of Security;

• 6)

  The National Commissioner of Human Rights;

• 7)

  The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) when dealing with matters within its competence;

• 8)

  The National Registry of Persons (RNP) when dealing with matters within its competence;

• 9)

  A representative of Non-Governmental Organizations with programs in migratory matters, human rights, children and youth and women who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State in the Office of Foreign Relations;

• 10)

  A representative of churches with programs for emigrants and/or returnees who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State in the Office of Foreign Relations;

• 11)

  A representative of the business sector proposed by the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP);

• 12)

  A representative of the labor sector proposed by the confederations of Workers of Honduras;

• 13)

  The National Institute of Professional Training (INFOP);

• 14)

  The General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners in representation of the Secretariat of State in the Office of Interior and Population; and,

• 15)

  The General Directorate of Protection of the Honduran Migrant who shall act as Executive Secretary and Secretary of Minutes of the Council, who shall participate only with voice. The President of the Republic may appoint additional members of the Council upon recommendation of the Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations. The Secretariat of State in the Office of Foreign Relations shall install the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant within thirty (30) days following the entry into force of this Law.

GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AND INTERSECTORAL TECHNICAL COMMISSION. All governmental institutions must cooperate to guarantee the effectiveness of the rights that this Law recognizes to Hondurans abroad and to those who return to Honduras. To this end, governmental institutions shall provide assistance to improve the efficacy and efficiency of their actions in the field of protection of Hondurans abroad, in the care of Hondurans returning to Honduras, exchanging the necessary information and executing actions for better coordination of their respective actions; The State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs shall convene the establishment of an Intersectoral Technical Commission that shall be the organ of coordination and intergovernmental cooperation, composed of all public and private institutions that make up the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant; and, The Intersectoral Technical Commission shall be the organism responsible for discussing at an initial expert level the documentation proposals of strategic policies, draft laws, resolutions, recommendations, and other documents that shall be reviewed by the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant.

GENERAL DIRECTORATE FOR PROTECTION OF THE HONDURAN MIGRANT. The General Directorate for Protection of the Honduran Migrant is created as the Technical Secretariat of the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant and executive body of the State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs in matters of migration, which shall have at least two national offices, one responsible for protection and another for the return of Honduran migrants.

OFFICE FOR PROTECTION OF THE HONDURAN MIGRANT (OPROHM). The Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM) shall be responsible for executing the policy and programs for the protection of Honduran migrants in accordance with what is established in this Law. The Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM) shall have the special characteristic of being an interinstitutional body that shall function with personnel assigned on an exclusive basis for matter follow-up. The State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs shall pay the salaries and appoint the head of the Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant and administrative personnel; shall also provide the physical space and expenses for the operation of the Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM); technical personnel shall be obligatorily provided from the respective budgets of the following State Secretariats: Interior and Population, Justice and Human Rights, Labor and Social Security, Industry and Commerce and the National Commissioner of Human Rights. The National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) shall determine the personnel that each State Secretariat shall place at the disposal of the Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM); The Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM) shall design and execute programs for the protection of Honduran migrants, which shall be financed by the "Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) created by this Law; The Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM) may recommend to the State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs to execute agreements with public or private non-profit entities in order to facilitate the fulfillment of its functions; and, Diplomatic Missions, Consulates and commercial offices of Honduras abroad, as well as the General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs, shall be auxiliary bodies of the Office for Protection of the Honduran Migrant (OPROHM) and are obligated to provide unrestricted collaboration for the fulfillment of the objectives of this Law.

OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE RETURNED MIGRANT (OFAMIR). The Office for Assistance to the Returned Migrant (OFAMIR) shall be responsible for executing the policy and programs for the return of Honduran migrants in accordance with what is established in this Law; The Office for Assistance to the Returned Migrant (OFAMIR) shall also have the special characteristic of being an interinstitutional body and shall function with personnel assigned on an exclusive basis in the following manner: The State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs shall pay the salaries and appoint the head of the Office for Assistance to the Returned Migrant (OFAMIR), and administrative personnel; shall also provide the physical space and operating expenses of OFAMIR from its budget. Technical personnel shall be obligatorily provided from their respective budgets by the State Secretariats in the following Offices: Interior and Population, Justice and Human Rights, Labor and Social Security, Industry and Commerce, and the National Commissioner of Human Rights. The National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) shall determine the personnel that each State Secretariat shall place at the disposal of the Office for Assistance to the Returned Migrant (OFAMIR). The Consulates of Honduras shall endeavor to establish channels of cooperation and communication with the Honduran community within the scope of their respective jurisdiction.

FUND OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE HONDURAN MIGRANT (FOSMIH). The Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant is created. The fund shall be financed with the product of the differential that enters the Central Bank of Honduras between foreign currency exchange purchase and sale operations, in an annual amount not less than FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US$ 5,000,000.00). The resources of the Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) must begin to be deposited by the Central Bank of Honduras to the General Treasury of the Republic and the latter to the State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs, no later than ninety (90) days after this Law enters into force. The Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Honduras shall guarantee compliance with this provision with respect to that institution. Likewise the State Secretary in the Office of Finance shall ensure that the General Treasury of the Republic complies with the obligation established here; The National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant (CONAPROHM) shall approve the general strategy for protection of Honduran migrants and their families and shall discuss, approve or disapprove the projects and programs presented to it by the Intersectoral Technical Commission. The Council shall also discuss, approve or disapprove the draft Regulations of the Fund presented to it by the State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs and shall decide on the best way to manage the capitalization and use of its resources; It is strictly prohibited to use more than twenty percent (20%) of the resources of the Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) to cover current expenses such as salaries, consulting fees, studies, travel expenses, per diem or representation expenses, rentals or any fixed or variable administrative expense linked or not with the functions of the State to comply with this Law; and, Except as established in the preceding paragraph of this Article, the Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) shall be used exclusively to pay partially or totally for aid to Hondurans in situations of need or calamity, for their voluntary repatriation to Honduras, and that of minors, disabled persons, elderly adults or incapable persons whose repatriation is requested by Honduran consulates. The resources of the Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) shall also be allocated to repatriate the bodies of Hondurans who have died abroad and whose families do not have resources to do so. Likewise, the Fund shall finance Centers for Assistance to the Returned Migrant, both at the principal points of entry as well as programs for their social and labor reinsertion in Honduras and once these programs are financed, as far as possible shall strengthen the Consulates of Honduras, to provide better and more efficient services to Honduran migrants, within the limits established in the preceding paragraph. The State Secretariat in the Office of Foreign Affairs shall present to the National Council for the Protection of the Honduran Migrant the Draft Regulations of the Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) no later than sixty (60) days after taking office so that it may discuss and approve it within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. The Fund of Solidarity with the Honduran Migrant (FOSMIH) replaces the Social Fund of the Honduran Migrant (FOSOMIH), which is hereby abolished. The remaining funds of the Social Fund of the Honduran Migrant (FOSOMIH) and those previously allocated to it shall be reallocated by the State Secretariats in the Offices of Finance and Foreign Affairs to finance the organization and operation of the General Directorate for Protection of the Honduran Migrant.

REGULATIONS. The regulations of this Law must be issued no later than sixty (60) days after it enters into force. Done in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, in the Session Hall of the National Congress, on the tenth day of the month of June of two thousand thirteen. ALBA NORA GUNERA OSORIO PRESIDENT, FOR THE LAW RIGOBERTO CHANG CASTILLO SECRETARY GLADIC AURORA LOPEZ CALDERON SECRETARY To the Executive Power. Therefore: Execute it. Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., December 26, 2013. PORFIRIO LOBO SOSA PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC The State Secretary in the Offices of Interior and Population CARLOS AFRICO MADRID HART The State Secretary in the Office of Foreign Affairs MIREYA AGÜERO TREJO