ZARAN was founded as a student association at the University of Zambia in 1999. On 4th December 2001 ZARAN was formally registered as an NGO.
The key achievements by ZARAN include:
2004: The establishment of the AIDSLaw Clinic. ZARAN’s AIDSLaw Clinic remains the only free legal support service in Zambia dedicated to supporting individuals affected by HIV and AIDS to gain redress for violations of their human rights
2005: ZARAN hosted a series of workshops for police officers on Human Rights. This workshop was the first of its kind in Zambia.
2007: ZARAN launched a Research Report on Children’s Right to Access HIV and AIDS related treatment and services in Lusaka. Children’s right to HIV information, prevention, treatment, care and support remains at the core of many of ZARAN’s activities.
2007: ZARAN signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Legal Resources Foundation so that suitable cases received by the AIDSLaw Clinic could be litigated.
2007: Publication of the AIDSLaw Manual. This Manual is a key handbook on HIV, Zambian Law and Human Rights and is freely distributed to any organisation offering legal support to people affected by HIV and AIDs.
2007: First Magistrate’s Seminar held on HIV and Human Rights
2007: ZARAN held it’s first Student Debate. ZARAN believes that today’s students are the decision makers of tomorrow and the Student Debate remains an annual event in ZARAN’s calendar.
2008: Start of research project to review all Zambian legislation with respect to the Human Rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.
2010: Ruling in Zambia Air Force Case sets precedent against mandatory testing. The Judge in this case, involving two ZAF officers who had been tested without their knowledge and subsequently dismissed, ruled that mandatory testing was unconstitutional.
2010: ZARAN starts working in a project led by Plan International in the Mansa District of Zambia. This work is enabling ZARAN to work face to face with a rural community, leading on training on the rights-based approach and lobbying and advocacy related to legal issues connected to HIV and AIDS.
2010: Establishment of litigation fund – to support the litigation of cases brought to the Clinic that could set key precedents in terms of improving Human Rights recognition of people affected by HIV and AIDS in Zambia.
