CAT/C/HND/CO/2 44. The Committee urges the State party to: (a) Provide detailed information on the prosecution of those responsible for the death of Berta Cáceres; (b) Ensure that journalists, human rights defenders and other representatives of civil society are protected from acts of intimidation and violence to which they may be exposed because of their activities; (c) Ensure that all incidents involving threats or attacks directed at journalists, human rights defenders and members of civil society organizations are promptly and impartially investigated. Gender-based violence 45. The Committee shares the State party’s concern about the increase in the number of women murdered in Honduras in recent years. It is particularly concerned by reports indicating a pattern of extreme violence against women and girls, including abductions, disappearances, torture in “mad houses” and the burial of bodies in clandestine grave sites. In addition, the State party’s delegation indicated that, in 2015 alone, 36,284 cases of domestic and family violence had been registered by specialized courts and another 2,400 cases of family violence had been registered by the criminal courts. Although the delegation stated that 96.06 per cent of the cases of sexual violence reported in 2015 had already been brought to court, the Committee remains concerned about the low number of convictions handed down by the courts for sexual violence and other forms of violence against women during the reporting period (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16). 46. The Committee urges the State party to redouble its efforts to combat all forms of gender-based violence and to ensure that all complaints are thoroughly investigated and that suspected offenders are prosecuted and, if convicted, punished appropriately. The State party should also ensure that victims receive full redress for the harm suffered, including fair and adequate compensation and the fullest rehabilitation possible. Public awareness-raising campaigns concerning violence against women should also be expanded. Abortion 47. The Committee is concerned about the restrictions on access to abortion, especially for rape victims, set out in the State party’s criminal legislation, which permits the voluntary termination of pregnancy only when the mother’s life is at risk. 48. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that women, especially victims of rape, who voluntarily decide to terminate their pregnancy have access to safe, legal abortions. Violence committed on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity 49. The Committee expresses its concern at the information included in the periodic report about violent deaths of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, in particular the murder of 11 transgender women between 2010 and 2013. According to the information provided, the alleged perpetrators have been prosecuted in only two of these cases, including one case that resulted in an acquittal (arts. 2 and 16). 50. The State party should ensure the personal safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in all spheres, including in places of detention. It should also ensure that murders and assaults motivated by a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are investigated and that the persons responsible are brought to justice. 10 GE.16-14849