vi In Their Capacity as Human Rights Defenders: Women About Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is a not for profit human rights organization whose core objective is to foster a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe as well as to encourage the growth and strengthening of human rights at all levels of Zimbabwean society through observance of the rule of law. ZLHR is committed to upholding respect for the rule of law and the unimpeded administration of justice, free and fair elections, the free flow of information and the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region. It keeps these values central in its programming activities. ZLHR is a national membership organization consisting of around 170 lawyers and law students, who voluntarily associate, pay a membership fee and carry out human rights promotion and protection activities due to their interest in human rights and the rule of law. A Secretariat of 36 people, 14 of whom are lawyers, are employed full time to implement the organization’s objectives and the policy decisions of a Board of 11 members elected by, and reporting to, the general membership at an Annual General Meeting. ZLHR holds Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), forms the Secretariat of the Human Rights Committee of the SADC Lawyers Association, and has affiliate status with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). ZLHR’s aims and objectives are: 1. To strive to protect, promote, deepen and broaden the human rights provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. 2. To strive for the implementation and protection in Zimbabwe of international human rights norms as contained in important sub-regional, regional and international human rights instruments. 3. To strive for the adoption of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Charter on Human Rights and to develop and/or strengthen the implementing mechanisms. 4. To endeavour to find common ground with and to work alongside other Zimbabwean groups, organisations, activists and persons who share a broadly similar concern for and interest in human rights. 5. To liaise and work with other human rights groups wherever situated but particularly in Southern Africa, and especially those closely linked to the legal profession. 6. To do all other things necessary to promote and protect human rights, the rule of law and separation of powers in Zimbabwe and the region.