December 10, 2007

In conjunction with Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Dr. Allen Keller and Dr. Samantha Stewart researched, wrote, and launched a report on torture and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. In April and May of 2007, Dr. Keller and Dr. Stewart traveled to Zimbabwe and South Africa to do detailed medical evaluations of 24 Zimbabweans who had been the victims of torture or political violence in the wake of a government crackdown on President Mugabe's critics. The findings and recommendations of this report are crucial because the 2008 presidential elections are approaching and can not be considered fair or free if the torture, political violence, intimidation of political dissidents, doctors and lawyers continues. Dr. Keller and Dr. Stewart's findings confirm that this state-sponsored violence has devastating physical, psychological and social health consequences, and is a serious threat to democracy in Zimbabwe. The report was launched at the Open Society on Monday, December 10th and was well attended.

• Click here to view the report
• Click here to listen to the live webcast.