Mexico: UN envoy assesses plight of internally displaced persons

An envoy for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is in Mexico to obtain a better understanding of the situation of internally displaced persons in that country and to assess the opportunities for improving the national and international response to their plight.

Francis M. Deng, Mr. Annan's Representative on Internally Displaced Persons, yesterday began a 10-day visit to Mexico, where he is expected to meet with government officials and representatives of human rights groups.

During his stay, Mr. Deng is also expected to visit several communities of internally displaced people in the State of Chiapas, where he will also meet with state authorities, the President of the State Human Rights Commission and groups directly assisting the population affected by displacement.

His findings and recommendations will be presented to the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights and to the Secretary-General.