Honduras Struggles With Student Violence in Education Sectors

Over 1,500 students have been murdered in the last eight years, statistics from the Observatory of Violence at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) show.

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Between 2010 and 2016, there were roughly 15,522 murders inside the walls of educational institutions. Forty percent of victims were younger than 30 years with over half of the incidents taking place in high schools across the country. Nearly 10 percent of murders took place in primary schools.

The Observatory reports the most common weapons smuggled into institutions are firearms and knives, but plastic bags, ropes, and sheets have also been reported.

An additional 14.8 students say they have been the victim of a crime, the UNAH reported.

Members from the Freedom and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) and the UNAH asked the United Nations to intercede and bring justice to the young victims.

According to one activist,  Nelson Avila, the death of an economics student and leader of the University Students Movement (MEU) was what spurred him into action.

“Forty-eight hours after murdering her and there is no one in jail. This is a state of impunity, and that those who are talking about the dialogue are included in it," he said.

Migdonia Ayestas, the coordinator of the National Observatory of Violence told El Heraldo, “Ninety-six percent of student deaths have gone unpunished. If we want to reduce violence and improve citizen security, we have to investigate and prosecute."

The study called on the state to assist and eliminate impunity, stressing that “children and youth are the main assets of society” and that ‘in Honduras being young is the main risk factor to being a victim of violence.”