the bad example of the “Fallen Heroes’ Trust” and rather to lobby for their right to expert
exhumations undertaken by professionals.
Exhumations carried out by casual individuals will forever silence the bones and the truths they
may tell – let us respect their right to speak and bring them the experts they need to be heard.
2.
Attack on mourners at a Memorial Service, Harare,��6 April
Solidarity Peace Trust condemns unreservedly the attack on families and friends of five MDC
activists, who had gathered to honour these dead and unveil their tombstones at Warren
Park Cemetery on 6 April. The five being honoured were Abigail Chiroto, Tonderai Ndira,
Better Chokururama, Cain Nyevhe and Godfrey Kauzani, all of whom are believed to have
been brutally murdered by state agents during the political violence of 2008. The mourners
were beaten by riot police and three people trying to serve food were deliberately trapped in
their tuck shop and a tear gas canister was thrown inside. Three people were hospitalized
after this event.
While it is never acceptable for police to attack and teargas peaceful gatherings, it is
particularly reprehensible to attack those who are undertaking their cultural, religious and
personal rights to mourn and commemorate their dead.
The dead have the right to be mourned, and the living have the right to mourn their dead,
without vicious state reprisals.
3.
MINIMAL SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS FOR THE EXHUMATION AND ANALYSIS OF
HUMAN REMAINS
This document, summarizes what are the minimum scientific standards in the recovery of
human remains in any kind of context. It is based on the 28 years of experience of the
Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) in working in 40 countries in the recovery
and analysis of human remains in complex cases, particularly those related to human rights
violations.
Basic concepts
The recovery and exhumation of bodies is a very sensitive process that goes beyond
just the technical aspects and has consequences in the Legal, Psychological, Religious,
Humanitarian, Economic and Political fields which must be taken into consideration
and evaluated before beginning the work.
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