On April 21, 2026, Honduran riot police fired tear gas at students protesting proposed budget cuts to the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH).

Roughly 300 students demonstrated outside of the National Congress building to oppose President Nasry Asfura’s proposal to reduce funding for higher education. The plan would remove millions of dollars from public funds earmarked for the university, dropping the allocation below a constitutional mandate that requires at least 6% of the national budget to be directed toward the institution.

Clashes erupted when some demonstrators threw stones at police officers, who then dispersed the crowd with tear gas and water cannons. At least one student was reported injured during the confrontation.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
https://ticotimes.net/2026/04/21/honduran-police-fire-tear-gas-at-protesting-students
https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/la-policía-hondureña-lanza-gases-lacrimógenos-contra-una-manifestación-de-estudiantes/91291496
https://www.abc.com.py/internacionales/2026/04/20/manifestantes-y-policia-en-honduras-se-enfrentan-por-reduccion-a-presupuesto-universitario/
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3262443663929789
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qm34CYqZbLr7B499Dy7_-1iZYn3tqYXl/view?usp=drive_link