Question Period Note: Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez's extradition to the US

On February 15, The Guardian wrote an article indicating that former Honduran President, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was arrested by Honduran justice, following the request of extradition by the US.

• Canada has a multifaceted, positive relationship with Honduras, but has been concerned about its weak institutions and governance over the past years.
• Respect for the rule of law is a central tenet of Canada's domestic and foreign policy. Canada cannot comment on the specifics of this extradition case.
• Canada is committed to working with the newly elected government to strengthen inclusive governance institutions and advancing democratic values including respect for human rights and the rule of law, which contributes to stability and greater trust in government institutions.
• Through the former OAS Support Mission to End Impunity and Corruption in Honduras and our current Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, we support several projects in Honduras which contribute to the fight against corruption, & improving the social and economic situation.
• Canada looks forward to working with the government of President Castro and Foreign Minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, in advancing common priorities such as democracy and anti-corruption.

On February 14, 2022, Honduran MFA announced on Twitter that US Embassy in Tegucigalpa formally requested the arrest of a Honduran politician for eventual extradition to the US. The identity of the politician was revealed by media outlets to be former Honduran President Hernandez.

On February 15, 2022, police surrounded the former president's house in Tegucigalpa and Honduran Supreme Court met to name a judge to oversee the extradition request.

Hernandez' brother and former congressman is serving a life sentence in the US following his conviction last year of drug trafficking. There are reports that Hernandez is claiming immunity from extradition based on his status as a member of the Central American Parliament. According to the extradition treaty with the US, a person can only be extradited after concluding domestic criminal processes and serving any convictions. Mr. Hernandez, who was replaced as president last month by leftist Xiomara Castro, has pledged to cooperate with national police.

After 60 years of diplomatic relations, Canada and Honduras maintain positive government relations, with Canadian engagement focusing on the promotion of human rights, gender equality, migration and governance, including justice and democracy strengthening. Honduras is Canada's largest bilateral international assistance program in the region and Canada's Anti-Crime Capacity Building program (ACCBP) also supports anti-corruption. In January 2022, leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the new, first female, Honduran President and her progressive campaign priorities, including anti-corruption, SRHR and human rights are aligned with Canada's.

Canada also supported the former OAS Support Mission to End Impunity and Corruption in Honduras (MACCIH), which aimed to strengthen mechanisms to fight corruption and improve the rule of law in Honduras, focusing on four areas of action: preventing and combating corruption; reforming the Honduran criminal justice system; reforming the political and electoral system; and public security.

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