Article 44 of the Migration and Aliens Law enshrines the principle of non-refoulement and provides that repatriation and resettlement processes involving refugees shall be coordinated with UNHCR. The provision protects persons seeking recognition of refugee status and recognized refugees against return to a territory where their rights would be threatened.

The legislation reviewed does not contain specific provisions regulating post-determination assessments of protection needs following a negative refugee status decision. However, in practice, the National Institute of Migration (INM) has used Special Residence Permits under the humanitarian grounds category as a protection-oriented mechanism in cases where return may expose an individual to serious harm or otherwise be inconsistent with Honduras’ international obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement and protections arising under the Convention against Torture. In such cases, the administrative resolution may include protection-related safeguards and provide for the regularization of the individual's migration status through the corresponding permit.