the Commission’s mandate as outlined in section 252 of the Constitution. According to the Minimum Standards for an Effective National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NTJWG, 2015: 4), it is important that adequate protection mechanisms be put in place for victims and survivors. Standard 4 emphasises that the NPRC must adopt a victim centred approach and prioritise the needs of the victims. This minimum standard can only be achieved through a deliberate process of creating safeguards within the law for adequate protection of victims and survivors as well as reaching to and encouraging victims to be willing to approach the Commission and feel safe in the process. It is therefore imperative that a separate section on Victim Support and Rehabilitation be inserted into the Bill. The section must, among other principles, oblige the Commission to develop comprehensive regulations to support victims/survivors which must include:  Establishing a Victim Support and Rehabilitation Committee  Taking measures to reach out to victims and survivors and offering assistance in the aftermath of victim and torture  Facilitating the provision of rehabilitation facilities including medical treatment, counselling services and general accompaniment for victims who interact with the Commission  Taking steps aimed at the restoration of the human and civil dignity of victims in line with mandate given to the Commission in section 252 (e) and (j)  Measures aimed at safely identifying victims and victim communities , and provide victims an opportunity, in public or private, to relate their own accounts of the violations or harm they have suffered and to clearly set out their needs and document their experiences as part of a national truth-telling, recovery and acknowledgment process.  Assessing the needs of victims and victim communities and make recommendations which may include urgent interim measures for reparations and relief measures or any other measures aimed at rehabilitating and restoring the human and civil dignity of individual victims or victim communities  Take steps to provide protective, legal, psycho-social and logistical support services to victims during the periods such victims are involved in activities of the Commission. 10.2 Principles on Victim Centred Approach The Bill must clearly lay down the key principles on the handling of victims which must include the following: a. Victims shall be treated with compassion and respect for their dignity; b. Victims shall not be unfairly discriminated against on any basis, including race, gender, sexual orientation, age, language, religion, nationality, political or other opinion, cultural beliefs or practices, property, birth or family status, ethnic or social origin or disability; c. Procedures for dealing with victims shall be expeditious, fair, inexpensive and accessible; d. Victims shall be informed through the press and any other medium of their rights in seeking redress through the Commission, including information ofi. the role of the Commission and the scope of its activities; ii. the right of victims to have their views and submissions presented and considered at appropriate stages of the Commission’s operations; 14 NTJWG Analysis of the NPRC Bill, March 2017