Research and Discussion Paper on a TJ Framework for Zimbabwe 6. Comparative Analysis of Transitional Justice Practices in Selected Jurisdictions Different transitional justice approaches have been and are still being applied in many countries to deal with gross human rights violations with the aim of achieving healing, reconciliation and sustainable peace. The following brief case studies show that the history of each country, its culture, tradition, the level of human rights awareness within each society, political will and the involvement of civil society are decisive in determining the kind of approach and mechanism(s) to be applied. Of the many examples of these truth commissions worldwide, a small selection of cases allows for a glimpse into the wealth of approaches. The examples presented here in short profiles have been selected according to the cultural proximity to Zimbabwe and their outstanding – positive and negative – methods. The question is, what are the lessons learnt from the TJ process in other countries? 6.1.Nigeria 49 Country: Nigeria Independence: from the United Kingdom: October 1, 1960 followed by almost 30 years military rule and coup d’états. Nigeria returned to civil rule on 29 May 1999 Truth Commission: Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (later called: The Judicial Commission for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations) also called the Oputa Panel, after its chairman Dates of Operation: June 14, 1999 – May 2002 (2 years, 11 months) Enabling law: Tribunals of Inquiry Act 50 Time to be investigated: January 15, 1966 to May 28, 1999 Mandate: • • • Ascertain or establish the causes, nature and extent of all gross violations of human rights committed in Nigeria between the 15th day of January 1966 and the 28th day of May 1996; identify the person or persons, authorities institutions or organizations whichmay be held accountable for such gross violations of human rights and determine the motives for the violations or abuses, the victims and circumstances thereof and the effect on such victims and the society generally; determine whether such abuses or violations were the product of deliberate state policy or the policy of any of its organs or institutions or whether they arose from abuses by state officials of their office or whether they were the acts of any political organization, liberation movement or other groups or individuals; 49 https://www.usip.org/publications/1999/06/truth-commission-nigeria Tribunals of Inquiry Act , 1966 Chapter 447 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 http://www.nigerialaw.org/Tribunals%20of%20Inquiry%20Act.htm 50 26 DRAFT