La Reforma
July 9th 1999
by Luis Alegre

The Undersecretary for Population and Immigration Services, José Angel Pescador, met last Wednesday with members of the US non-governmental organization Global Exchange, the Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center, and the "All Rights for Everyone" Human Rights Network.

According to a statement by Global Exchange, the Interior Ministry official "demonstrated an open and flexible attitude" and promised to carry out an in-depth analysis of the issues addressed in the report, "Foreigners of Conscience," recently published by the non-governmental organizations cited above.

The report denounces the Mexican government's harassment of human rights observes in Chiapas.

Fifteen days ago Pescador stated that "the Mexican government was concerned" about the "vacation" tours organized by Global Exchange, which he designated a "business" rather than a non-profit organization. At the same time, he said that he would be seeking to establish communication with Global Exchange.

Days later Global Exchange representatives in Chiapas refuted Pescador's accusations but left open the possibility for dialogue.

Last Friday, Global Exchange sent a letter to the Undersecretary asking for a meeting, and this week Ted Lewis, the director of the organization's Mexico Program who has been denied visas to enter Mexican territory on other occasions, arrived in the country.

Lewis participated in the meeting with Pescador.

During the meeting, according to the statement, the Undersecretary acknowledged the "educational and non-profit nature of Global Exchange's activities in Mexico."

Pescador, the statement indicates, asked for commentaries from the human rights organizations about possible changes to the government's policy towards human rights observers.

Two weeks ago the government official had indicated the possibility of easing the regulations on foreign observers in Mexico.

Translated by Global Exchange