N AT I O N A L I N Q U I R Y R E P O R T ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity Special Interest Groups Thirteen (13) categories of special interest groups presented peculiar and additional challenges in accessing documents and these are discussed in Chapter Four. The Report draws special attention to their articulated challenges as well as the impact of lack of documentation as follows; Children:        Orphans:    Procrastination or negligence by parents to register their children’s births. Lack of awareness, cultural practices or reluctance by parents to register children born out of wedlock in their maiden names. Laws prohibiting fathers or paternal relatives to register children in the absence of mother, maternal relatives or death certificate of deceased mother. Migration or unknown whereabouts of parents. Difficulties faced by children in child headed families. Difficulties of registering children born in prison. Un-documented children in conflict with the law cannot be released on bail, are at risk of being prosecuted as adults thereby incurring stiffer sentences. Failure to meet registration requirements such as death certificates, witnesses, unknown whereabouts of relatives, lack of cooperation of relatives and lack of money to cover costs of registration fees and transport costs. Issuance of short birth certificates to orphans in care homes, which are not accepted for passport applications. Failure to receive social welfare benefits such as Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM). xiv xiii