Commissions Watch 5/2016
Government Withdraws
National Peace & Reconciliation Commission Bill
11 May
Government to regard the withdrawal of the Bill because of the adverse
report as an excuse for prolonged delay would be unacceptable.
A Reminder: Too Much Delay Already
On paper this Commission established by the new Constitution has been in
existence since 22nd August 2013 when the Constitution came fully into
operation. [Section 251 of the Constitution says “For a period of ten years
after the effective date (22nd August 2013) there is a commission to be
known as the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission…”]
But converting this paper existence into reality has taken far too long.
Already, over two and a half years of its ten-year life have elapsed [the ten
years will expire on 21st August 2023]. The first budget allocation for the
Commission was made by the Appropriation Act for 2016. The first
members of the Commission were sworn in on 24th February. Any further
delay at this late stage will inevitably be regarded as evidence that the
Government has all along been deliberately dragging its heels on
implementing the constitutional provisions for the Commission.
Parliamentarians and Civil society must remain vigilant and forceful in their
lobbying and advocacy for swift Government action to produce a
constitutionally-compliant and more comprehensive replacement Bill.
Documents Available on the Withdrawn Bill
The following documents on the withdrawn Bill are available from Veritas —
please follow the links below to access the documents
Withdrawn National Peace and Reconciliation Commission [NPRC] Bill
PLC Adverse Report on NPRC Bill
Veritas commentary on NPRC Bill , Part I [Bill Watch 7/2016]
Veritas commentary on NPRC Bill , Part II [Bill Watch 8/2016]
Or send email requests to veritas@mango.zw
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