Nature of violations Policy implementation of POSA was partisan with a strong bias towards members and supporters of ZANU(PF). The right to assembly was not respected in 2009. Protesters involved were beaten and denied medical treatment while in custody. Case history • In late October, senior figures of the National Association of NGOs (NANGO) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) were arrested under POSA for holding meetings without permission. 4.4 Violations of the rights of special interest groups Minority rights violated involved children’s rights, women’s rights, LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) rights, and differently able (disability) rights. 4.4.1 Children’s rights violations Human rights violations against children. Policy Local legislation makes provision for specific children’s rights through enabling special protection and care. These include the Birth and Deaths Registration Act, Concealment of Births Act, Education Act, Domestic Violence Act, Administration of Estates Act, Child Abduction Act, Children’s Act, Maintenance Act, and Guardianship of Minors Act. Regional and international policies include the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). While policy provisions and policy implementation for children’s rights can be improved, there was minimal recorded evidence of direct and intentional violations of children’s rights. Nature of violations Ripple effects of the 2008 election-related violence exposed many children to trauma from actual and vicarious experiences of rape, torture, displacement, loss of shelter, disruption of education and assaults, which were not audited and for which they were not rehabilitated. No concerted efforts were made directly by government to redress health, trauma and housing challenges caused by displacement, violence and lack of access to education. Economic decline forced children into economic activities involving street vending, prostitution and domestic work. The right to education was compromised after the collapse of the education system caused by utility shortages in schools, and a massive loss of teachers due to poor salaries and working conditions. The state’s intervention was inadequate to deal with these problems. Zimbabwe Human Rights Report – 2009 19