Representatives of the International Civilian Observation Commission (CCIODH), composed of 41 delegates from 10 European countries, denounced the "severe deterioration" in human rights abuses in Chiapas state, at a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, in Mexico City yesterday.
The commission has just returned from a five-day visit to the conflict zone in south-east Mexico, which Mrs Robinson will visit later today.
Mrs Robinson criticised the "impunity" enjoyed by paramilitary groups in Chiapas and other rural states and drew attention to weaknesses in Mexico's judicial system, citing "arbitrary arrest, torture and forced confessions" as key areas requiring urgent government action.
Mrs Robinson ruled out UN mediation in the Chiapas conflict, but expressed hopes that her visit might help restart rebel-government dialogue, suspended since 1996.
The Mexican government has welcomed Mrs Robinson's comments on the human rights situation and agreed to tighten up related legislation, specifically Articles 21 and 22 of the UN Convention against Torture.
"My impression of Mexico is that substantial progress has been made in terms of subscribing to international accords, but that there is a problem in implementing human rights on the ground," said Mrs Robinson, after her hour-long meeting with President Ernesto Zedillo, who admitted to "difficulties" in defending citizen rights.
Mrs Robinson also received a four-page letter from the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN), which launched an armed rebellion against the Mexican government in January 1994. The rebel leader, Sub-comandante Marcos, described the Chiapas conflict as part of a greater "war against humanity, against dignity, respect and tolerance".
Mrs Robinson has called for the implementation of the San Andres peace accord, signed by government and EZLN delegates in February 1996, but since rejected by Mr Zedillo.
At a meeting in Mexico City yesterday, the Defence Minister, Gen Enrique Cervantes Aguirre, outlined the role of the armed forces in the conflict in Chiapas, underlining the strict "institutionality" of the Mexican army, which is subject to executive control in line with constitutional obligations.
Mrs Robinson's visit has put her hosts, the Mexican government, "on the edge of a nervous breakdown" according to the financial daily El Financiero, which recounted an indecent skirmish in the Senate, during a meeting between Mrs Robinson and the Senate Human Rights Commission.
Senator Benito Miron Lince described Mrs Robinson's trip as "a kidnapped visit".
A fist banged the table and strong words were exchanged, albeit in Spanish, while Mrs Robinson observed in silence.