Swiss delegates have arrived in Mexico on a mission to observe the peace process in the troubled state of Chiapas.

The eleven-strong delegation will meet government representatives and Zapatista rebels in an effort to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. They will also meet civilians in order to assess human rights conditions in the region.

The eastern state has been plagued by unrest since an uprising in 1994, when 10,000 civilians revolted against the Mexican government and demanded autonomy for the region.

"The new government of President Vincente Fox has made a pledge to Mexican authorities and to the international community to resolve this conflict," says Erica Hennequin, a delegate and head of international affairs for the Green Party. "But so far, there's been no improvement."

Patrice Mugny, an official with the cantonal government in Geneva, said it was imperative that the international community participated in efforts to bring peace to the area.

"We mustn't become indifferent to the ongoing problems in Chiapas," Mugny said. "I hope that this trip will help to raise awareness about this issue."

The Swiss mission is the fourth to the region since 1998.

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