19
Second, the injuries are not reflective of those received in a war.53 War as defined as organized violence has both physical
and psychological consequences.54
“Organised violence is the interhuman infliction of significant avoidable pain and
suffering by and 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 victim’s feelings. Organised violence
includes inter alia torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment . . . .
Imprisonment without trial, mock executions, hostage taking or any other form of
violent deprivation of liberty also fall under the heading of organised violence. The
effects of apartheid, destabilisation, civil war, the forced displacement of people,
and political violence constitute organised violence. Violence which occurs in these
situations as a direct consequence of political repression, although it may appear
random, is of structural nature, involves violations of basic human rights and can only
disappear when human, social and political relationships are profoundly changed.”55
This definition of organised violence covers all the categories mentioned above, as well as making reference to certain
regional specialities such as apartheid or forced displacement. The definition of war given in the Act is broad enough to
reflect all these categories apart from the reference to “armed conflict”, which is capable of restrictive definition.
The lack of specification of mental or psychological sequelae is also a deficit, but one that can be excused historically
since the first international definition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) only came in 1980. As we have seen
above, war and torture victims frequently suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),56 and the effects can be
prevalent for a lifetime.57 Moreover, those who suffer from PSTD have greater job instability, a family history of
psychiatric disorder, parental poverty, and child abuse.58 Studies show high levels of PTSD in torture survivors.59
Furthermore, torture survivors show a
wide range of sequelae both physical and psychological with high rates of psychological disorders.60 The effects can range
from neurological impairment usually produced by violent beatings, to minor scarring, produced by burns or electrical
53
supra
Reeler & Mupinda.(1996), An Investigation into the Sequelae of Torture and Organised Violence in Zimbabwean war veterans, LEGAL FORUM, 8,
12-27; Reeler & Mupinda.(1995), Report of a pilot project to assist survivors of torture and organised violence in Mount Darwin District, Zimbabwe, AprilJuly 1995, Harare: AMANI.
54
Psychiatric Association of Zimbabwe (1990), Report on an International Conference on “The Consequences of Organised Violence in Southern Africa,
Harare:PAZ.
56
Reeler & Mupinda.(1996), An Investigation into the Sequelae of Torture and Organised Violence in Zimbabwean war veterans, LEGAL FORUM, 8,
12-27; Reeler & Mupinda.(1995), Report of a pilot project to assist survivors of torture and organised violence in Mount Darwin District, Zimbabwe, AprilJuly 1995, Harare: AMANI.
55
57
supra
supra
59 Reeler & Mupinda.(1996), An Investigation into the Sequelae of Torture and Organised Violence in Zimbabwean war veterans, LEGAL FORUM, 8,
12-27; Reeler & Mupinda.(1995), Report of a pilot project to assist survivors of torture and organised violence in Mount Darwin District, Zimbabwe, AprilJuly 1995, Harare: AMANI.
58
60
supra
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