E/CN.4/2003/85/Add.2 page 7 9. One of the most serious problems which the Special Rapporteur noted during her visit to Mexico was that of corruption linked to transnational organized crime, and in particular gangs engaging in the trafficking and smuggling of persons. These practices are encouraged by the levels of impunity which exist in connection with abuses against migrants committed by criminal gangs. The Special Rapporteur noted with concern reports of the participation and consequent impunity of certain public officials allegedly involved in such practices. 10. Resolving the problems deriving from corrupt practices has been identified as one of the principal challenges facing Mexico in the formulation of its migration policy. The Special Rapporteur is aware of the efforts made by Mexico to dismiss members of the migration services and certain police forces involved in illicit trafficking and smuggling of persons and in other abuses against migrants. She considers that it is essential to develop internal control mechanisms. It is also important to give priority to action to protect migrants’ human rights through the State commissions and procurators’ offices and the National Human Rights Commission, and also the Ministry of Comptrollership and Administrative Development (SECODAM), with agreed formulas incorporating recommendations by civil organizations. In addition, within the INM, the strengthening of the Beta Groups could be instrumental in preventing these crimes. 11. Mexico is one of the countries which has conducted most research on migration phenomena, acquiring substantial resources for the purpose of designing and executing policies and measures to assist migrants. The Special Rapporteur considers it necessary to proceed from this diagnostic phase to the execution of concrete measures designed jointly by the authorities, NGOs and academia. In her opinion, this must also be reflected in the negotiating forums and regional dialogue in which the State and Mexican organizations are participating. 12. The Special Rapporteur views with great concern the attitude of the media to questions relating to migration. It is her impression that, in their treatment of this subject, many media attach more importance to sensational news items than to the actual situation of migrants. This situation, which is not confined to Mexico, causes the Special Rapporteur particular concern owing to its effects on the process of integration and acceptance by the receiving societies. In this context, the Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that the media could play a more active and ethical role in increasing local awareness of the vulnerability confronting migrants and the need to protect them against possible abuses. II. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR MIGRATION IN MEXICO 13. At the international level, Mexico has demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of the human rights of migrants and has encouraged the development of regional and international law in this respect. Mexico played a leading role in the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants by the Commission on Human Rights. It also played an important role in the adoption of the paragraphs on migrants’ rights in the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.