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 ve Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy. One of the independent commissions in this Chapter is the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), which is given the duty to ensure post-conict justice, healing, and reconciliation. This Commission represents the efforts of many organisations including churches, victim groups, non-governmental organisations and international organisations that have been clamoring for a commission to help the society come to terms with its violent past. It represents the hopes of many victims (and survivors) of past human rights violations that truth, justice and healing may see the light of the day. The successes or failures of the NPRC are still to be seen. But what is 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 nd this guide useful. Muchadehama, Alec (Mr.) NTJWG Chairperson Harare, 2017 5