Foreword On 22 May 2013, President Robert Mugabe signed into law the new Constitution of Zimbabwe following a long constitutional reform process dating as far back as 1999. One of the key features of this Constitution is Chapter 12, which establishes fiveGroup Independent The National Transitional Justice Working (NTJWG) Commissions Supporting Democracy. One stakeholders of the independent acknowledges support given by various during the development thisChapter guide. commissions in of this is the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), which is given the duty to Special thanks go to the Secretariat of the NTJWG, which is the ensure post-conflict justice, healing, and reconciliation. This Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. Commission represents the efforts of many organisations including churches, victim groups, non-governmental and This guide would not have been successful organisations without the generous support of our funding partners. international organisations that have been clamoring for a commission to help the society come to terms with its violent past. It For feedback and information in this guide, we are grateful to the represents the hopes many victims (and of gave past human stakeholders whoof read through the draftsurvivors) guide and valuable rightsinput. violations that truth, justice and healing may see the light of the day. Finally, we owe it to the thousands of victims who have requested for this simplified guide. It isNPRC their enduring for healing which The successes or failures of the are still tohope be seen. But what is keeps us on our feet. clear is that an important conversation has already started. The success of the NPRC will depend on the general support from all stakeholders and the cooperation of the government. This Guide to Understanding the NPRC is our contribution to ensuring that the NPRC is visible, its purpose understood and supported by all. The Guide is simple to use and understand. Written in plain language, the guide is a valuable resource for civic education, community leaders and facilitators, schools, survivors of human rights violence human rights defenders, lawyers, lawmakers and anyone who wants to understand the NPRC and its work in Zimbabwe. We hope you will find this guide useful. Acknowledgments Muchadehama, Alec (Mr.) NTJWG Chairperson Harare, 2017 5 5