Background The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the "Human Rights Forum") has been in existence since January 1998 when 9 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) 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 coalition’s membership has since increased to 17. The Human Rights Forum expanded its objectives to assist victims of organized violence, using the following definition: "Organized violence,” means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organized 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 through the Public Interest Unit of the (formerly the Legal Unit of the ZHRF.) Introduction The Specific objective of the Research unit is “to document, research on, verify and publish incidents of gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly those associated with organized violence and torture”. The definition of organized violence is as above and the definition of torture is as in the UN Convention Against Torture and other forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which defines torture as including four elements. The four elements of torture are: 1 Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental 2 Intentionally inflicted 3 With a purpose 2