surrounding the discovery of bodies in common graves in Ciudad Ju·rez, Amnesty International said today, calling for full transparency and thorough forensic investigations.

'Those responsible must be brought to justice, and for that it is imperative that all investigations are carried out with the clear aim of finding the truth, that all findings be made public and that a thoroughly

professional approach is used when exhuming the bodies,' stressed Peter Archard, Amnesty International's researcher on Mexico.

'The possibility that scores of bodies may be unearthed in the graves underlines the crucial importance of conducting meticulous forensic investigations designed to identify the victims, establish the precise circumstances, manner and cause of their death, and ensure that those implicated do not escape the full rigour of the law.'

The Mexican authorities have stated that on-site forensic work initiated two days ago near Ciudad Ju·rez and close to the border with the United States of America (USA) concerns the ' disappearance ' of some 100

persons who fell victim to organised drug-traffickers. However, Amnesty

International has information which indicates that some of those 'disappeared' were last seen in the custody of people believed to be

members of the Mexican security forces.

The organisation has long been calling for full and independent investigations into 'disappearances' in Mexico reported to have taken place in the context of anti-narcotics operations. To date little if any progress

has been made in resolving these cases.

The new impulse to the investigations into these 'dÃŒsappearances' under the direction of Mexico's Office of the Attorney General, ProcuradurÃŒa General de la Repâ„¢blica, with the collaboration of the USA

Federal Bureau of Investigation, will hopefully result in the victims' families establishing the fate of their loved ones.

'The findings will also hopefully serve as a basis for the authorities to open criminal proceedings against anyone implicated in the deaths, no matter whether they be civilians or state agents,' concluded the

organisation.