14 studies2, and this group had a considerably higher number of symptoms. This was probably due to the combination of physical and psychological injuries. The scores obtained from the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-8) and the Harvard Trauma Scale (HTS) additionally show that this group had experienced psychological problems as a consequence of their alleged torture. The SRQ-8 is a psychiatric screening instrument, and all scores in excess of 4/8 are strongly indicative of clinically significant psychological disorder. Fifteen (36%) members of the sample reported scores in excess of 4/8, which is lower than other Zimbabwean samples, but is undoubtedly due to the fact that most people experienced only a single experience. The sample reported more experiences of trauma than witnessing or hearing stories on the Harvard Trauma Scale. Only 7 (47%) persons of the clinically disordered group showed signs of PTSD, but this was a much higher percentage than other Zimbabwean studies, and undoubtedly reflects the acute nature of the psychological distress. PTSD would be more strongly expected as an immediate consequence of OVT than other forms of disorder. The victims from the Food Riots in 1998 were different in many ways to the sample from the 19870s War of Liberation. In most respects their treatment was less severe than those from the Liberation War, and was confined to a single episode of torture or injury due to gunshot wound. However, it is significant that they clearly suffered from the experience and many were psychologically disturbed by the experience. The data did support the claims that torture had been inflicted and that gross human rights violations had taken place. This report has subsequently been validated by the results of the court cases that have taken place, where the majority of the claims have been upheld by the courts and damages awarded. In some of the cases, the judges have made very strong statements about the use of torture and indiscriminate and irresponsible use of firearms. 5. Victims from the 2000 Parliamentary Elections During the 2000 Parliamentary Elections in Zimbabwe, there were a very large number of reports made of gross human rights violations being perpetrated by the supporters of the Zanu(PF) government. These reports were made by local observer groups such as the Human Rights Forum, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), and the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (Zimcet), as well as by international human rights organisations and election observer groups. A number of the victims of OVT were referred to the AMANI Trust for medical assistance. This has been documented in detail in a number of reports dealing with the Parliamentary Elections3, and it is not our intention to summarise the enormous detail relating to human rights violations and electoral irregularities here. Additionally, many of the issues related to the psychological distress suffered by the victims and the issues related to some of them testifying in the Zimbabwe High Court to their experiences have been described elsewhere 4. Here we will confine ourselves to some quantitative observations about the victims from the Parliamentary Elections. This summary is based upon the victims seen by the Amani Trust. 2 See HALL, A., & WILLIAMS, H. (1987)(a), Hidden psychiatric morbidity. Part I: Study of prevalence in an outpatient population at Bindura Provincial Hospital, Central African Journal Of Medicine., 33, 239; REELER,A.P., WILLIAMS,H., & TODD,C.,H.,(1993), Psychopathology in Primary Care patients: A four-year study in rural and urban settings, Central African Journal Of Medicine, 39, 1-8; PATEL, V., TODD, C., WINSTON, M. ET AL (1997), Common mental disorders in primary care in Harare, Zimbabwe: associations and risk factors, Brit.J.Psychiat., 171, 60-64. 3 See AMANI (2002), Neither Free nor Fair: High Court decisions on the petitions on the June 2000 General Election, HARARE: AMANI TRUST; AMANI (2002), Organised Violence and Torture in the Bye-Elections held in Zimbabwe during 2000 and 2001, HARARE: AMANI TRUST. 4 See AMANI (2002), Heroism in the Dock: Does testifying help victims of organised violence and torture? A pilot study from Zimbabwe, HARARE: AMANI TRUST; AMANI (2002), “At the boiling point of the pain”. Report of a pilot study examining the efficacy of psychotherapy for torture survivors, HARARE: AMANI. AMANI TRUST: Beating your opposition. Torture during the 2002 Presidential campaign in Zimbabwe.