From 21 to 23 November 2018, over 118 delegates converged in Bulawayo for the 2018 Transitional Justice Policy
Symposium, which was jointly convened by the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) and the
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). The theme of the symposium was, ‘Never Again: Setting
the Transitional Justice Agenda for Zimbabwe.’ The symposium was designed to give Zimbabweans an opportunity
to reflect on the most urgent transitional justice needs of the country and contribute to the development of a
proposal for a transitional justice policy for Zimbabwe. A transitional justice policy for Zimbabwe allows the country
to join the continent in putting in place measures to ensure that past atrocities are dealt with, victims find redress and
closure. It further ensures that mechanisms are put in place to spur and drive national commitment to say 'Never
Again' to violence.
Saying ‘Never Again’ to violence requires more than eloquent speeches and slogans. It requires a national
commitment, expressed in concrete measures that transform a culture by uprooting all the seeds of violence and
creating mechanisms for peaceful transformation of conflicts and opening the avenues of truth, justice and
accountability to the many individuals, families and communities affected by past conflicts. In acknowledging the
extreme importance of this vision, the symposium brought together delegates from a cross section of leaders in
Zimbabwe, including civil society, churches, business, legislators, academics, international experts, traditional
leaders, community elders, development partners, independent commissions and most importantly, survivors of
past atrocities.
Over the course of three days, delegates reflected on Zimbabwe's transitional justice journey dating back to the
colonial era, a series of struggles that have seen us as a nation to where we are today. In the second day, delegates
travelled to six key sites of different atrocities in Matebeleland where they came face to face with the ugliness of
violence and the horrors of non-closure. Survivors of past atrocities were brave enough to open wide their homes
and hearts to the groups and to share their deepest angers, fears and hopes. Converging at the Amagugu
International Heritage Trust in Matopos, reflections from families searching for closure continued with a very
touching theatre performance by Victory Siyanqoba Trust, titled, “Someone Lied.” The performance was followed
by a candid dialogue around how the Matebeleland transitional justice questions can be addressed and the role of
government in it.
Day three was the wrap up, focusing on concrete policy reflections and processes necessary to say and guarantee
'Never Again!' Thousands of Zimbabweans across the world joined the conversation online with their views being
part of the deliberations.
This report captures all the proceedings of the symposium, speeches, expert exchanges and outcomes. With QR
codes scattered across the report, the reader is invited to join the dialogue, to watch the videos of the presentations
and capture the full emotion of the 2018 symposium.
www.ntjwg.org.zw/symposium.html
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