Important considerations for a successful reconciliation process Acknowledgement of the harm done, and forgiveness For the process of reconciliation to be successful, there are certain things that should take place in society. Acknowledgement of the harm caused to society through mass violence and gross violations of human rights is a key component of this process. Acknowledgement comes in various forms: it may be voluntary or coerced through accountability mechanisms where amnesties come into place as ways to get people to tell the truth. In an ideal situation, acknowledgement of harm is closely followed by remorse on the part of the perpetrator(s). The perpetrator(s) should then ask for forgiveness from the victim–survivor(s), who, in turn, can choose to forgive or not. Forgiveness, however, should not be used as a conduit for impunity. If carefully managed, the participation of witnesses and victims in trials benefits victims in their own individual healing and contributes to the process of personal reconciliation as well as forgiveness. However, caution must be exercised with regard to forgiveness. Given that victims have experienced unimaginable pain and suffering, it is unreasonable to put the burden of forgiveness upon them in an explicit way. This process is deeply personal and must be voluntary. Where a community decides to engage in forgiveness, it is important that access to psychosocial support services is available to reinforce the longevity of reconciliation. For the nation to be reconciled, the reconciliation process must include personal reconciliation. There is no greater healing than a personal process where one comes to terms with the events of the past and willingly chooses to move forward in a peaceful manner – whatever that may mean to the individual (see Module 7). Acknowledgement must also be followed by remorse. What use is there for the truth to be told where the perpetrator does not care much for the events? In cases where the state has occasioned harm to citizens, it is incumbent on representatives of the state in the highest office to take on the responsibility of offering public apologies for the harm caused by the state and its agents. Truth-seeking and fact-finding …and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32) The Zimbabwean people have suffered from violations of human rights for decades. The birth of a new constitution brings about the process of reconciliation in the national discourse through the formation of the NPRC. The Commission has been established to bring about national reconciliation by encouraging people to tell the truth about the past and by facilitating the making of amends and the provision of justice (Ch. 12, part 6:252(c)). Truth-seeking and truth-telling exercises are not confined to the national level, and they are not a one-off event. In fact, the benefits of such exercises are best seen where they percolate through to the grass roots of any society. Conversations around ‘the truth’ should be promoted. These conversations exist in every community and should now extend between communities. Reparations Reparations serve several purposes in national reconciliation and community healing – they are in fact a form of acknowledgement by the nation that victims have experienced losses and should be allowed to recover some of the monetary costs of their losses. They also act as deterrents to future perpetrators by making them aware that their actions will have consequences (see Modules 1 & 2). There are various ways by means of which reparations can be made, including compensation, rehabilitation and restitution. 96 Community Healing: A training manual for Zimbabwe