9 Table 8. Scars attributable to torture (Amani.1998). Skin(head) Skin(body) Skin(extremities) 10% 3% 13% The detailed medical examination revealed a picture that corroborated the reports of torture given by the clients. As can be seen from Table 9 below, the most commonly identified problems were to do with damage to the vertebral column, which tied in with the reports of severe beatings. The other common problems, to the extremities (fingers, toes, hearing, etc.) and the thorax, were also commensurate with beatings, and, in this sample, with falanga. Table 9. Medical examination of Physical Assessment sample (Amani.1998). Vertebral column Extremities Thorax Skull Neurological Abdomen Genitalia 52% 29% 10% 7% 7% 3% 3% The general physical condition of the sample was poor, and medical examination indicated that 45% were below average in their nutritional state. In general, the medical examination did not indicate many obvious problems, but it should be borne in mind that this was clinical examination alone without the support of laboratory or radiological investigations. The sample was also a chronic sample, with most injuries having been inflicted more than two decades previously, which undoubtedly made physical examination more difficult. 4. Findings from the Food Riots In 1998, the human rights community in Harare swung into action following the many reports of human rights violations, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (Human Rights Forum) was formed. This group, then a loose alliance of NGOs, provided assistance to detainees, persons complaining of human rights violations and ill-treatment, and produced a report on the riots — Human Rights in Troubled Times: An Initial Report on Human Rights Abuses During and After Food Riots in January 1998 1 — which was forwarded to the President and Parliament in support of the request for an independent commission of inquiry. As was stated in the report: The human rights organisations call upon Government to set up, as soon as possible, an independent Commission of Inquiry headed by a High Court Judge to investigate these allegations of human rights violations. In the interests of transparency and accountability the findings of this Commission must be made public. Pending the setting up of such a Commission, the organisations request 1 Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (1998), Human Rights in Troubled Times: An Initial Report on Human Rights Abuses During and After Food Riots in January 1998. AMANI TRUST: Beating your opposition. Torture during the 2002 Presidential campaign in Zimbabwe.