APPENDIX I Declaration of the Johannesburg Symposium 11 - 13 August 2003 Preamble Mindful that a political solution is urgently required to overcome the crisis in Zimbabwe, and in the understanding that there is or may soon be dialogue between the major political parties in Zimbabwe, a number of Zimbabwean civic leaders convened a symposium to enable civic society leaders to have a forum at which to discuss issues of human rights and justice in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean participants resolved to make representations to the negotiating political parties with recommendations on issues of human rights and justice that they desire should form part of any political settlement reached by the political parties. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The recommendations are as follows: That human rights abuses of the past - both during the colonial and post-colonial eras - must be redressed; That mechanisms be put in place to guarantee that human rights abuses never again occur in Zimbabwe; That blanket amnesties for human rights abusers should not be allowed, and specifically that there should be no further general amnesty for human rights abusers; That the necessary institutions be set up to deal with past and present human rights abuses, and that such institutions be empowered not only to investigate and seek the truth, but also to recommend criminal prosecution, provide for redress and reparations for victims, and lead to healing of the nation. Such institutions must encourage and sensitively deal with the special needs of victims. This is particularly important in dealing with women and children as victims; i