A Guide to Understanding A Guide to Understanding the the NATIONAL NATIONAL PEACE & RECONCILIATION PEACE & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION COMMISSION IN ZIMBABWE IN ZIMBABWE Acknowledgments The National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) to address past conflicts only. The NPRC has a mandate to resolve acknowledges supportconflicts. given by stakeholders during the both past and ongoing Forvarious example, in South Africa development ofReconciliation this guide. (SA), the Truth and Commission (TRC), did not have authority to conciliation and mediation for ongoing conflicts and SpecialThe thanks go to had the authority secretariat of the NTJWG, which is the disputes. SA-TRC only to make recommendations to Zimbabwe the Ministry of Justice to establish Human Rights NGO Forum. conflict resolution and mediation structures at community level. This guide would not have been successful without the generous support of our funding partners. How the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), Sri Lanka Operated For feedback and information in this guide, we are grateful to the stakeholders who read through the draft guide and gave valuable The LLRC was appointed by His Excellency President Mahinda input. Rajapaksa on 15 May, 2010. The Commission held 57 public sessions and undertook 12 field visits at over 40 locations to talk Finally, we oweinitthe to the thousands who have requested for to the people North,East andofinvictims other affected areas of the simplified country. In response to itsenduring public notices, over a thousand this guide. It is their hope for healing which keeps people before the LLRC to make representations us on ourappeared feet. and the Commission additionally received and analyzed over 5100 written submissions. This public interaction activity in Colombo and throughout the country lasted nearly 11 months. The Commission also held unscheduled meetings with the general public, especially in areas affected by conflict and in internally displaced (IDP) settlements. The Commission revisited certain areas in the North and East in order to further clarify issues, verify information and formulate recommendations. Source: Archives of the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summary box • • • 24 4 The NPRC as a new institution will create its own practice and culture Its work will be done mainly through the Commissioners, the Secretariat, Committees or any other actors that it may delegate. Activities will emerge from the strategy although some activities like hearings are already obvious.