An official with the Inter-American Human Rights Commission says Mexican authorities in Juarez have been negligent in their investigations of murders and rapes of women in the region. 

Woman's rights investigator Martha Altolaquirre says it is indisputable that authorities have not put their full effort into investigating some 300 murders and rapes committed in Juarez since 1993. She also says state and local authorities have done nothing to increase security in the areas most dangerous streets and byways. 

Ms. Altolaquirre says if there is sufficient evidence showing the state violated the rights of victims, a case could be brought before the Inter-American Human Rights Court. 

Mexican civic and women's groups have demanded authorities act on the Juarez violence, which began more than eight years ago. State and local officials have sought help from international experts in solving the cases. 

Juarez is in the Mexican state of Chihuahua near the U.S. border. The situation has drawn the attention of the Mexican Congress, which established a special commission last year to look into the killings and rapes. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and DPA. 

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