E/CN.4/2004/80/Add.2 page 4 Introduction 1. The Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 2001/57, which established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, encouraged Governments to give consideration to the possibility of inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries so as to enable him/her to fulfil the mandate effectively. 2. The Government of Mexico, the Special Rapporteur’s country of origin, was the first to invite the Rapporteur to visit. Aware of the challenge involved in carrying out a mission of investigation in his own country, the Special Rapporteur held consultations with all the parties concerned to analyse the possible obstacles to and benefits of a mission. In response to requests from the communities, the Mexican Government’s interest and confirmation from the United Nations that it was appropriate to accept the invitation, he visited Mexico from 1 to 18 June 2003. 3. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Mexico, the National Commission for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples and in particular the head of the Commission, Ms. Xóchitl Gálvez, for their efficiency in organizing the section on contacts with government institutions and their logistical support. In particular, he thanks the numerous indigenous organizations for their time and the valuable information provided and for the interest they showed in his visit. He wishes to thank the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico and the Mexico office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their excellent work and for organizing a wide-ranging and varied programme of meetings. He also wishes to thank the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights for its cooperation, and in particular Diego Iturralde of the Institute for his support during the mission. 4. The indigenous population of Mexico currently accounts for approximately 12 per cent of the total. Although proportionally less large than it was, it increased in absolute terms to almost 13 million in 2000. It is spread unevenly through the country, being mainly concentrated in the States of the south and south-east. Although predominantly rural, in recent years it has increased considerably in urban areas, some of which have programmes for the indigenous population. In numerous municipalities, particularly Oaxaca, Guerrero and Chiapas, indigenous people are in the majority. Traditionally, experts have used ethnolinguistic criteria to classify the indigenous population, which they currently divide into 62 ethnic groups. 5. This report on the situation of indigenous people in Mexico is based on information received from various sources and on interviews with federal, State and municipal leaders and representatives of indigenous communities, human rights associations and non-governmental organizations. I. PROGRAMME OF THE VISIT 6. The Special Rapporteur visited Chihuahua, Sonora, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero and the Federal District where he held consultations with government authorities at the federal, State and municipal levels. In Mexico City he met Mr. Vicente Fox Quezada, President of the Republic; Mr. Santiago Creel, Minister of the Interior; Mr. Víctor Lichtinger, Minister of the Environment; Mr. Florencio Salazar, Minister of Agrarian Reform; Dr. Isaías River, Agrarian