Foreword On 22 May 2013, President Robert Mugabe signed into law the new (a) The nature and extent of the NPRC’s investigation and its Constitution principalof Zimbabwe following a long constitutional reform process dating as far back as or 1999. One of the key features of this findings arising there-from (b) The nature, extent12, andwhich consequences of the found by Constitution is Chapter establishes fiveconflict Independent the NPRC Supporting to be in existence or Commissions Democracy. One of the independent (c) Appropriate recommendations for the peace building commissions in this Chapter is the National Peace and measures or Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), is given the aduty to (d) A comprehensive strategy which for incorporating gender ensure post-conflict justice, healing, and reconciliation. This perspective in conflict prevention, management and resolution and peacebuilding measures Commission represents the efforts or of many organisations including (e) A summary of all its non-governmental recommendations toorganisations prevent, manage churches, victim groups, and or resolve the conflict or international organisations that have been clamoring for a (f) Appropriate steps for the maintenance and promotion of commission help the society come to termsis with its violent past. It peace; to whether the conflict in question specifically attributable represents the hopes of many victims (and survivors) of past human to any identifiable practice, custom, law or other impediment thetruth, peace building exercise,may or tosee thethe absence rightsprejudicial violations to that justice and healing light of of any law or to any deficiency in the law or the day. (g) What legislative administrative or other practical reforms if any, should taken prevent, manage or resolve the conflict The successes or be failures ofto the NPRC are still to be seen. But what is in question or clear is that an important conversation has already started. The (h) Any other work that the NPRC has undertaken during the success of the NPRC willor depend on the general support from all period under review stakeholders and the cooperation of the government. Guide (i) Any other matter or consideration it deems fit This to bring toto the attention ofthe Parliament. Understanding NPRC is our contribution to ensuring that the NPRC is visible, its purpose understood and supported by all. The Summary box Guide is simple to use and understand. Written in plain language, the guide is a NPRC valuable resource for civic education, community • The produces compulsory yearly reports on its full leaders and facilitators, schools, survivors of human rights violence operations and activities. The reports are presented Parliament. human• rights defenders, lawyers, to lawmakers and anyone who • Apart from the yearly reports, best practice require the NPRC wants to understand the NPRC and its work in Zimbabwe. We hope to produce a final report at the close of its work, containing you will findathis guide useful. consolidation of its work, its operations in relation to its mandate, its findings and recommendations. Muchadehama, Alecdoes (Mr.)not make law, but it can only recommend • The NPRC the making of law and other initiatives to Parliament. NTJWG Chairperson Harare, 2017 31 5