The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) has
been in existence since January 1998. Nine non-governmental organisations working in the field
of human rights came together to provide legal and psycho-social 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 interhuman 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 wellbeing.
The Human Rights Forum operates a Legal Unit and a Research and Documentation Unit.
Core member organisations of the Human Forum are:
The Amani Trust
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
The Legal Resources Foundation
Transparency International (Zimbabwe)
The University of Zimbabwe Legal Aid and Advice Scheme
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association
Associate members are: GALZ and ZIMCET
The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or the following
personnel:
The Administrator, c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw
The Lawyer Unit, c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw
The Research Unit c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw
Telephone/fax: 79222,2 737509, 731660
Website: www.hrforumzim.com
All earlier reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on the website.