Research and Discussion Paper on a TJ Framework for Zimbabwe 1. Introduction Zimbabwe has a strong legacy of gross violations of human rights. These include violations that date back as far as the colonial era up to today. There has never been an effort to address this past comprehensively. The establishment of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has opened space for a national conversation on this area. Yet even these efforts seem bound to fail unless Zimbabwe develops a comprehensive transitional justice programme which obliges all government entities to be seized with the national healing and reconciliation agenda and to put in place appropriate measures. 1.1.Objective The objective of the research is the development of a discussion paper for a transitional justice framework for Zimbabwe. This research will cover aspects regarding the • • • • • • understanding of key transitional justice questions in Zimbabwe; analysis of the existing transitional justice policy framework in Zimbabwe; identification of critical actors for Zimbabwe’s reconciliation process and their roles in the process; identification of legislative gaps and the proposition on how they are to be filled; incorporation of a comparative analysis from other countries; needs and expectations of transitional justice stakeholders in Zimbabwe The research paper will also take into consideration the Updated Set of principles for the protection and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity, also called the UN-JoinetOrentlicher Principles. The discussion guide for a transitional justice framework will eventually guide stakeholders in the consultative process with the objective to come-up with an agreed TJ framework for Zimbabwe. This research seeks a realistic approach based on the experience of truth commissions in other countries and the reality of the Zimbabwean situation, the latter taking into account the • • political environment with the main party Zanu-PF still in power since independence (so, from this point of view, the situation in Zimbabwe is not really “transitional” in the strict sense of the term); economic situation of the country characterized by a devastated commercial environment, severe financial constraints of the state and wide-spread poverty; These factors will put its constraints on any form of Dealing with the Past in terms of implementation and financial support of the process. Consequently, the transitional justice process requires a measured and realistic approach that does not raise excessive expectations among the victims and the society. 4 DRAFT