E/CN.4/2004/80/Add.2 page 2 Summary This report is submitted in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/56 and concerns the official visit paid to Mexico by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people from 1 to 18 June 2003. The indigenous population of Mexico, which currently accounts for approximately 12 per cent of the total, predominates in many rural municipalities, particularly in the south-east, and can also be found in urban areas. The human rights of the indigenous peoples are vulnerable in a number of ways. Human rights violations occur in many agrarian and political conflicts in the indigenous regions, especially during the pursuit and administration of justice. Discrimination against indigenous people can be seen in low human and social development indices, extreme poverty, inadequate social services, the execution of investment and production schemes and the great imbalance between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the distribution of wealth and income. Where indigenous matters are concerned, the 2001 reform of the Constitution does not meet the aspirations and demands of the organized indigenous movement inasmuch as it affords reduced constitutional protection for the human rights of indigenous peoples and also makes it harder to resume the dialogue for peace in the State of Chiapas. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government of Mexico should pay urgent attention to preventing and resolving social conflicts in indigenous regions; that it thoroughly overhaul the indigenous justice system, that it pursue a comprehensive economic and social policy in favour of the indigenous regions with active participation by the indigenous peoples, paying special attention to migrants, displaced persons, women and children; and that it revise the constitutional reform of 2001 so that peace can be reached in Chiapas and the demands of the indigenous peoples for recognition and respect for their human rights can be met.