The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) is a coalition comprising 16 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: ? Amnesty International (Zimbabwe) (AI (Z)) ? Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) ? Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) ? Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) ? Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) ? Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) ? Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC) ? Transparency International (Zimbabwe) (TI (Z)) ? Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) ? Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO) ? Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) ? Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET) ? Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) ? Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) ? Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) ? Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or through: The Executive Director, 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 32