What to do if you are harassed or are arrested

*Always get the name and rank of the individual's confronting you

*Make sure you know which police station the person is from

*Get their force/id number

*Telephone their police station to verify their details before going anywhere or giving them any information

*You have to be told what you are being charged/arrested for

*Make sure you are being arrested/charged under a section of the law that actually exists and is applicable.

*The police must have reasonable grounds for suspicion that an offence has been committed

*Do NOT make a statement to the police without consulting a lawyer

*You cannot be detained for more than 48 hours without being brought before a magistrate. Please note that one of the police's favourite tactics in cases of harassment is they will try to arrest you on a Friday afternoon, which means that you cannot see a magistrate before Monday. In other words, you spend an uncomfortable weekend in prison, quite legally.

*To track down someone who has been arrested, go to the police station at which the arresting detail is based. There should be an initial report docket at the station telling you where the person is being held.

These points are true in normal times. But these are not normal times in Zimbabwe, with many reports of the ZRP not following its own procedures and regulations. Try to keep a cool head. If you are taken away, try to let someone know. Be polite but firm in the face of questioning. Admit nothing, and do not give a warned and cautioned statement without a lawyer being present.

Please report any cases of harassment, or attempted blackmail/extortion to us, gayzim@hotmail.com or to GALZ, Tel: 741736, e-mail: galz@samara.co.zw

You can do this anonymously.

We can also put you in touch with a gay-friendly lawyer, if you need one.