ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT

November 2007

20 December 2007

OVERVIEW

The month of November was characterised by demonstrations by WOZA and NCA and intra – party violence within MDC. On 5 November 98 members of WOZA were arrested during a protest outside the Parliament building in Harare. A deputation drawn from the membership began a protest to press for an end to violence. Members also wanted to express their commitment to repealing of the Public Order Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). As the procession was to arrive at Parliament, the Riot Squad, based at Africa Unity Square, intercepted it and began to beat the peaceful activists. Some of their members were later taken to Harare Central Police Station where they were reportedly held for 7 hours before being released without charge.



On 22 November, 23 members of NCA were severely assaulted and some allegedly tortured after an attempt to demonstrate close to the motorcade of South African President Thabo Mbeki on his visit to Harare. The protestors were demonstrating against the recent Constitutional Amendment No 18 Bill. As the protesters arrived at Harare Main post office along Julius Nyerere Way in central Harare, the motorcade was reportedly already in sight, approaching into the central business district from Harare International airport. However, the police allegedly quickly dispersed the group by beating and shoving the marchers to disperse before they could interfere with President Mbeki’s motorcade. The Human Rights Forum condemns the use of brut force by the police on peaceful demonstrators and urges the government to take seriously the grievances of the demonstrators.



Intra - party violence reared its ugly head within the MDC on 18 November outside the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare. This follows clashes between MDC supporters loyal to the ousted MDC National Women’s Assembly Chairperson Lucia `Matibenga, and those in support of her replacement Theresa Makone. A group of women is reported to have besieged the Harvest House headquarters demanding an audience with MDC President Tsvangirai whom they challenged to explain why Matibenga was ousted and replaced by one of his alleged loyalists. Matibenga is challenging the election of Theresa Makone who replaced her in a poll she alleges was out of order, after many of her supporters were barred from participating. Two journalists, John Nyashanu of the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and freelancer Frank Chikowore, were allegedly harassed as they tried to interview Matibenga. The Human Rights Forum condemns such acts of violence and urges all political parties to refrain from violence as a means of solving their differences.



Totals: 1 November – 30 November 2007








Cumulative Totals: 1 January – 30 November 2007












The graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations for November 2007 on page 14.

Key Abbreviations

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation

WOZA – Women of Zimbabwe Arise

ZANU PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

MDC – Movement for Democratic Change

ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

MP – Member of Parliament

ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army

NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance

ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service

NCA – National Constitutional Assembly Association

ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police

OVT – Organised Violence and Torture

ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

POSA – Public Order and Security Act

ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association

PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe

ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe


Sources: The information contained in this report is derived from statements made to the Public Interest Unit of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, its members and statements taken by a network of human rights activists and newspaper reports,

Notes to the tables:


Torture:

All cases of torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition given in the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

The four elements of torture are:

  1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental

  2. Intentionally inflicted

  3. With a purpose

  4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the state.

Those individuals referred to in point # 4 as state officials include the ZRP, ZNA,

Unlawful arrest and detention:

Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed. Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress through the courts or subsequent release without charge.

Abduction/kidnapping:

A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group that is not the ZRP, ZNLWVA, ZNA, ZPS and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA).

Disappearance:

Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting.

Property related

These are incidents in which property rights have been violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.

Cases of Political Violence

Note: The identities of victims whose names have not been published in the press and are not public officials are protected. This is done in order to protect the victim from further violence, intimidation and possible recriminatory attacks.



The purpose of this report is to record the nature of the politically motivated violence and intimidation that continues to prevail in the country. The Monthly Political Violence Reports are primarily based on victims’ accounts, accompanied by medical evidence where possible, obtained from member organisations of the Forum and other partner organisations. Use is also made of press reports.



The Report cannot be considered as the exhaustive record of all incidents of politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe in the period under review. Nevertheless, every incident reported to the Human Rights Forum directly or through its members is meticulously documented and included in the reports. Care is also taken to record the incidents in the language in which they were reported to the Forum.



The situation prevailing in the country is such that it has not been possible to verify all of these accounts. The Forum has done what it can to verify the reports, and is satisfied that the vast majority of them are substantially true. It is also not possible to rule out whether a victim’s account is exaggerated or contains inaccuracies.

All reports derived from the press are denoted with the symbol ∑.

HARARE

Harare Central

1 November 2007

Zimonline, 2 November 2007

∑. State security agents are reported to have forcibly confiscated a video - tape from a filmmaker who had quizzed visiting Jamaican reggae artist Luciano over his support for the country's controversial land reform programme during a press conference. Film - maker, Tawanda Gunda Mupengo and camera - person James Jemwa were reportedly confronted by the agents who grabbed the tape of the recording of the press conference and accused the two of asking "wrong" questions.


5 November 2007


98 members of WOZA were arrested during a protest outside the Parliament building in Harare. On that day, a deputation drawn from the membership began a protest to press for an end to violence and for a response from the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Members also wanted to express their commitment to repealing of the Public Order Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). As the procession arrived at Parliament, the Riot Squad based at Africa Unity Square intercepted it and began to beat the peaceful activists. They did not directly order the activists to disperse but beat anyone trying to sit down. 17 members were taken to Harare Central Police Station. An hour and a half passed before the Riot Squad guarding the remaining 82 ordered the victims to form three lines and walked them to Harare Central Police Station where they were detained. They were held for 7 hours before being released without charge.



14 November 2007

A male victim reports that he was assaulted by 8 soldiers in uniform and 3 others in plain clothes at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters offices along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue for parking a car with an MDC logo near the Soldiers’ Headquarters. The victim reports that he had parked his car close to the Defence Forces offices as he went into the Ambassador Hotel. A security guard is said to have followed him and asked him to remove his car as ordered by soldiers who were already searching the car. One of eight soldiers phoned 3 men who came in plain clothes and were drunk. The 3 started assaulting him with wooden sticks, rifle butts, clenched fists and booted feet. They said they wanted to know what photos and messages and other information that was in his phone. They threatened to kill his wife and children as well as to abduct him and burn the car. The victim reports that he was also warned not to report the incident to the press.. He was then released after about 2 hrs. He sustained injuries to his head from the riffle butts and his forehead, his left forearm and left knee. He then went to a private clinic where the wounds on his head and forehand were sutured.

18 November 2007

Intra - party violence within MDC reportedly broke up resulting in 7 people being assaulted. One of the victims reports that she and her colleagues had decided as the MDC Harare Women’s Assembly to resolve the Theresa Makoni/ Lucia Matibenga leadership issue. She reported that they wanted the MDC President Tsvangirai to address them and explain why the Women's National Executive had changed without the people's mandate. They went to the MDC offices where the meeting was, but they were attacked by some rowdy MDC youths, who prevented them from seeing the party President. The youths accused them of being bribed by Matibenga, and attacked the women. One of the victims was slapped three times on both cheeks and fell to the ground. As she was lying on the ground colleagues who were running away from the attackers trampled on her resulting in her injuring her left leg.


22 November 2007

23 members of NCA were severely assaulted and some allegedly tortured after an attempt to demonstrate close to the motorcade of South African President Thabo Mbeki on his visit to Harare. The protestors were demonstrating against the recent Constitutional Amendment No 18. As the protesters arrived at Harare Main Post Office along Julius Nyerere Way in central Harare, the motorcade was reportedly already in sight, approaching into the central business district from Harare International Airport. However, the police allegedly quickly dispersed the group by beating and shoving the marchers to disperse them before they could interfere with Mbeki’s motorcade. The demonstrators were ordered to disperse and were beaten with batons as they fled. Some fell and were trampled on by their colleagues as they ran. That same afternoon men in plain clothes rounded up some 22 of the activists as they went about town. A fellow activist from Masvingo, suspected of having sold out for cash, helped the perpetrators with identification of the victims. The activists were forced onto two minibuses and taken to a building along Fourth Street were they were ordered to kneel down with their hands behind the back and heads on the floor and beaten on the soles of the feet and some on the back with heavy logs. They were forced to simulate sitting on a chair for a long period of time. The victims were also ordered to roll on the ground in soot and ashes. They were later ordered to mop the wet floors of the torture room and the toilet with their bare hands. The victims report that the walls and floors of the room had dry blood - stains.


Harare North

02 November 2007

Wellington Mahohoma was arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station for allegedly trespassing on the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) grounds. The former student leader was apparently banned for life by the University of Zimbabwe authorities. Wellington had attended the UZ graduation ceremony in which his brother was participating. The college security together with state agents confiscated his camera before surrendering him to the police at Harare Central Police Station (Law and Order Section).



Hatfield

5 November 2007

A victim reports that he was assaulted by suspected ZANU PF youth militias while on his way home at about 8pm in the evening. He was in Epworth coming from the train station when three men, one of them wearing a National Youth Service uniform, manhandled him and asked him why he continued participating in MDC activities. He was cut twice on the upper lip with a knife. One of them hit him on the forehead with an iron bar and he fell down and lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness, the perpetrators had disappeared and passers-by were attending to him. They accompanied him to Domboramwari Police Station where police are alleged to have refused to listen to him saying they were tired of political issues. The victim lost a bag of mealie-meal, phone card worth $14million and cash of $6million. After the police refused to help him at Domboramwari he went home and then reported the case at Harare Central Police Station on the following morning. One of the assailants threatened him with violence and warned him he would disappear if he continues being active in politics.


Mashonaland East

Marondera West

26 November 2007

A female victim from Ward 20 Mpazviriho village in Svosve Communal Lands, Marondera East was allegedly assaulted at Dhirihori Shopping Centre with fists and then bricks all over her body, while being accused of being an MDC supporter. This followed a police sanctioned rally carried out by MDC the previous weekend. She reported the incident to Igava Police Post and Marondera Police Station.


Murehwa South

10 November 2007

An A2 farmer reports that he was assaulted by soldiers while working on his new farm. On the day of the assault the victim was approached by two uniformed soldiers who questioned him on why he was still on the farm. He told them he was the owner of that piece of land and immediately the soldiers started beating him with booted feet and clenched fists. They beat him up until he managed to escape. He went to Macheke Police Station to report the matter. He then went in the company of two police officers to look for the soldiers at the house of Agnes Manzara whom they suspected was pushing for the victim’s eviction. She initially refused to tell them where the soldiers stayed but later complied after the victim and other villagers confronted her when the police had left. Agnes Manzara took them to where the soldiers stayed and handed the soldiers over to the villagers. While on the way to the police station to hand over the soldiers, the group ran into a police truck and all were ordered to get into it. On arrival at the police station, the victim reports that Agnes Manzara, the soldiers and the officer - in - charge at the police station went into a closed discussion leaving the victim and the other villagers. At the end of the discussion the victim and the other villagers were told that they were under arrest and forced to remove their shoes. The victim was however released so he could seek treatment for injuries sustained during the assault.


Mashonaland West

Kadoma

5 November 2007

The male victim, an MDC activist, reports that the Police at Patchway Mine assaulted him where he had gone to retrieve his candle - making machine which has been taken by the police in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma. The victim reports that an argument on issues to do with the land reform began between him and some ZANU PF supporters. He reports that he was later picked up by the police and subsequently tortured at the police charge office. He claims that he was assaulted with a piece of hosepipe and an iron bar. He sustained some injuries on his right shoulder, buttocks and left ankle. The victim reports he was tortured by eleven police officers with officer Madziyauswa in charge during the torture.


Masvingo

Bikita West

20 November 2007

Zimonline, 20 November 2007

∑. ZANU PF youths reportedly evicted scores of opposition MDC supporters in Bikita West in Masvingo province The youths, with alleged tacit backing from ZANU PF legislator retired Colonel Claudius Makova, allegedly chased away at least 15 MDC supporters from their homes in the southern Bikita district. The ZANU PF youths allegedly told the MDC supporters to leave the area as they were supporting a “puppet party”. Among those evicted together with their families are Simbarashe Sinawacho of Mamutse Village in Bikita’s ward 12, Anna Chapu of Chunyamatura Irrigation Scheme, Solomon Marumura and Rangarirai Nesvinga. It is also alleged that the newly planted crops of some of the evicted villagers was destroyed by the ZANU PF youths


Masvingo Central


4 November 2007

The Vice-President of Zinasu Gideon Chitanga, George Makamure and student Ogylive Makova were arrested and briefly detained at Rujeko Police Station on allegations of trespassing on the Great Zimbabwe University grounds. The three had gone to the University to collect the belongings of Ogylive Makova who had been suspended from the University. They were later released without charge


Manicaland

Mutare South

5 November 2007

A male victim reports that he was assaulted by suspected ZANU – PF supporters for wearing an MDC t- shirt. It appears that as he was coming from Area 16 Dangamvura at Nyamahuru Secondary School in the company of a friend, he was approached by 5 suspected ZANU-PF supporters who accused him of being a sell-out because he was putting on an MDC t-shirt. He reports that the ZANU PF supporters started to assault his friend and when he attempted to rescue him and one ZANU-PF supporter among the five took out a machete (a broad, heavy knife used as an implement or weapon) and struck him on the head. The attackers then fled from the scene. The victim sustained a deep cut and was treated at Mutare General Hospital. After 3 days when he was in a condition to walk, he went to report the matter to the police but instead was arrested on allegations of attacking the suspected ZANU PF supporters who had attacked him and his friend. The perpetrators had made a report before the victim could get to the police. The victim was detained for 3 days and made to pay an admission of guilt fine.

MAIN EVENTS 2007

January

State security agents allegedly go on a rampage assaulting, torturing and shooting at illegal diamond miners near Marange in Manicaland.

The ZRP Anti - Riot Squad violently disrupts a demonstration of close to 500 NCA members.

8 Christian Alliance members are arrested and harassed by members of the ZRP at the launch of the Christian Alliance Kadoma Chapter.

Arnold Tsunga (Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Acting Secretary of the Law Society of Zimbabwe) is arrested and interrogated by CIO operatives at the Harare International Airport on his return from the World Social Forum in Kenya.

February

Police impose a ban on “political gatherings”

Students, WOZA, NCA and the MDC hold a number of demonstrations separately against tertiary fee hikes, for “love” and against violence; for a new Constitution and for elections to be held in 2008 rather than 2010 respectively

Raymond Majongwe and other PTUZ leaders are arrested as teachers protest against their low salaries.

Suspected MDC supporters allegedly assault police at Ximex Mall in Harare and angry vendors assault Municipal Police Officers.

St Mary’s (Harare) widows and elderly women are assaulted by the police as they demonstrate against high rentals and high water bills.

The MDC attempts to hold a star rally in Highfield at Zimbabwe Grounds on 18 February 2007 but the rally is dispersed by police.

March

Save Zimbabwe Campaign attempts to hold a prayer meeting on 11 March in Highfield. The riot police, using brute force on civic leaders and others who intended to participate, thwart the meeting.

Gift Tandare dies after being shot by the police on 11 March at the aborted prayer meeting in Highfield

Following the violence on 11 March, widespread assaults and abductions ensue mainly perpetrated against human rights defenders, MDC supporters and leadership, reportedly by state security agents.

Officers from the CID raid ZCTU offices on 13 March ahead of a planned stay away.

Nelson Chamisa, MDC MP for Kuwadzana, is severely assaulted at the Harare International Airport on his way to attend a meeting of the ACP – EU in Brussels

A memorial service for Gift Tandare is held on 27 March in Borrowdale.

Last Maengahama, Deputy Secretary for Local Government in the Tsvangirai led faction of the MDC, is abducted in Borrowdale and dumped in Mutorashanga by suspected state agents after attending a memorial service for Gift Tandare on 27 March.

Police cordon off much of the central business district of Harare as they conduct a raid at the MDC headquarters on 28 March. 80 people, including senior MDC officials, are arrested during the raid.

April

82 WOZA members are arrested for protesting against incessant power cuts by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority in Bulawayo’s High Density suburbs.

Levison Chikafu, a Prosecutor in Mutare, is detained for six hours at Mutare Central Police Station. He is questioned over his alleged acceptance of a bribe from a jailed murderer and granting bail to undeserving suspects. It is suspected that he was being victimised for prosecuting the Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Two National University of Science and Technology (NUST) students, Trust Nhubu and Valencio Jachi, are reportedly abducted and tortured by suspected CIO operatives in Bulawayo on 19 April.

The Chivi North legislator and the former Masvingo Governor, Josiah Hungwe as well as other ZANU PF members, are reportedly injured following a skirmish between the two ZANU PF factions that were contesting in the ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Elections.

May

Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni (lawyers) are arrested by the police and held in detention being denied access to lawyers, food and families.

Jonathan Samkange (a lawyer) is arrested by the police for allegedly having connived with a witness in a case he is handling.

Scores of students at the University of Zimbabwe are arrested, assaulted and brutalised by the University’s security agents and the police.

The police disperse students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo.

Members of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, gathered outside the High Court in Harare to proceed to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs with a petition protesting the arrest of two of their colleagues, are dispersed by the police and some assaulted with baton sticks. Later, their President, Beatrice Mtetwa and four others are savagely assaulted by the police in a field near the city.

June

MDC activists who had been incarcerated for almost 72 days are released on free bail on 7 June

Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the pro-senate MDC faction’s passport is taken away by police.

Bans on political rallies and gatherings are lifted in Harare on 29 June The world commemorates International Day Against Torture on 26 June

9 people are arrested and tortured in relation to an alleged foiled coup plot

July

About 267 NCA activists are detained and arbitrarily beaten up country wide as they demonstrate against Constitutional Amendment (No 18) Bill on 25 July.

Armed police officers assault and arrest students from the University of Zimbabwe following demonstrations against fees top up on 7 July. Furthermore, resident students are evicted from campus and sleep out of doors after they are left stranded.

The University of Zimbabwe Vice – Chancellor, Levy Nyagura, suspends 26 students for allegedly inciting students to demonstrate and engaging in riotous behaviour.

August

A 62 - member delegation of the Southern African Peoples' Solidarity Network (SAPSN) travelling to Lusaka, Zambia, for the SADC Peoples' Summit is turned back by the Zambian immigration authorities at the Chirundu Border Post. The Zambian authorities then hands over the Zimbabwean civil society activists to the Zimbabwean police who detain and harass 40 of the victims at Chirundu Police Post.

Clever Bere, National University of Science and Technology Students Representative Council President is arrested and tortured at Bulawayo Central Police Station on 6 August

Police reportedly round up close to 100 commuter omnibus drivers and their assistants in Harare on 29 August before assaulting them for defying a government directive to reduce fares

On 6 August, it is alleged that members of the Zimbabwe National Army brutalise women and children in the high-density suburb of Dzivaresekwa in Harare for vending.

More than 70 uniformed soldiers go on a rampage, assaulting villagers and looting goods in Esigodini, Matabeleland South on 8 August after some of their colleagues had been involved in a scuffle during a drunken brawl in the village.

A journalist from the Standard newspaper, is reportedly abducted and held captive by suspected ZANU PF supporters in Gutu, Masvingo on suspicions of spying for the US based Studio 7 news station.

It is alleged that armed police and CIO Officers bar members of the MDC who want to attend the memorial service of the late MDC National Chairperson, Isaac Matongo, on 11 August in Masvingo.

September

Police arrest 11 Members of Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe (ROHR Zim) in Harare on 14 September.


ZCTU organises a stay - away on 19 and 20 September. The stay - away protested the Presidential Proclamation on salary and wage freezes.


The NGO Expo is held from 19 – 22 September. Memory Kadau, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition intern, is arrested whilst manning the organization’s stand at the Expo.


MDC holds its 8th year Anniversary celebrations in Masvingo on 28 September. Masvingo residents are assaulted by ZANU PF supporters prior to the celebrations.


The wife of Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Tecla Mumbengegwi, allegedly takes part in the assault and resultant murder of a villager accused of stealing from the Minister’s farm.

October

Police arrest 158 members of WOZA in Bulawayo for protesting against the deteriorating political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, on 11 October.

Police in Harare arrest 200 members of WOZA for carrying out a peaceful demonstration on 15 October.

Police in Harare assault 34 NCA activists for demonstrating against the Constitutional Amendment No 18 Bill on 16 October

November

Police arrest 98 WOZA members on 5 November during a protest for the repeal of POSA and AIPPA outside the Parliament building in Harare.

Police in Harare allegedly assault and torture some of the NCA activists who had gathered to protest against Constitutional Amendment No 18 Bill during the visit to Harare by South African President Thabo Mbeki on 22 November.

Violent clashes erupt between MDC supporters loyal to the ousted MDC National Women’s Assembly Chairperson Lucia Matibenga and those in favour of her replacement Theresa Makone on 18 November

The table below and the graphs on page 3 above depict the number of violations committed on

the persons whose circumstances are described in the report. One individual may have been subjected to many violations and thus appear under several categories of violations.

Monthly totals of human rights violations from 1 January 2007 to 30 November 2007

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Total

Abduction/ kidnapping

0

0

8

2

1

0

1

7

0

0

0

19

Assault

45

183

128

68

43

14

176

103

16

36

32

844

Attempted murder

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Death threats

0

2

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

7

Disappearance

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Displacement

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

0

6

Freedom of expr/ass/mvt

553

294

597

125

167

201

296

71

29

386

126

2845

Murder

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

3

Political Discrim/ intim/vict

1

294

597

10

16

17

15

11

5

0

4

970

Property related

0

0

3

0

1

1

1

0

1

6

0

13

Rape

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

School closure

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Torture

4

82

168

10

51

13

180

17

1

23

27

576

Unlawful arrest

16

278

203

51

47

207

275

169

43

254

100

1643

Unlawful detention

16

278

203

51

47

207

275

169

43

254

100

1643

Monthly Totals

636

1411

1909

318

373

660

1219

547

140

965

390

8569

Administrative Map of ZIMBABWE





Zambia













Mozambique

Botswana

South Africa



The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) is a coalition comprising 17 member organisations. It has been in existence since January 1998 when non-Governmental organisations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January 1998.

The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its objectives to assist victims of organised violence, using the following definition:

“Organised violence” means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action, which is unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims’ mental and physical well-being.”

The Human Rights Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services to assist victims of organised violence and torture claim compensation from perpetrators through its Public Interest Unit.


Member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:


The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or through:

The Administrator, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw

The Public Interest Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw

The Research Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw

Address: 8th Floor Bluebridge North, Eastgate, Harare; Telephone: 250511 - Fax: 250494

The International Liaison Office, 56- 64 Leonard Street London EC 2A 4JX– email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com

Telephone+44-20-7065-0945

Website: www.hrforumzim.com