independence. Furthermore, the post-independence era was marked by several episodes of organised violence including the Gukurahundi massacre where reportedly close to 20 000 civilians were killed. There can be no dispute to the widely documented atrocities, torture and human rights violations that have been attendant on Zimbabwe’s public sphere especially around the electoral periods in in 1990, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008. These violations have not been addressed at a national level except in few instances where victims have demanded justice. In most instances victims have walked out more aggrieved due to the insensitivities of the justice system and the failure of the government to acknowledge the special circumstances most of these victims especially women and children find themselves in. The latest attempt to tackle the legacy of past human rights violations in Zimbabwe was through the 2008 Global Political Agreement(GPA) which established the Organ on National Healing Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI). The ONHRI can be credited for commencing the conversations on what mechanisms are required to address past violations. Beyond that conversation, the record of the ONHRI is unsatisfactory. HZT notes that any process that seeks to deal with Zimbabwe’s past history of human rights violations will have to be comprehensive, inclusive of all stakeholders and should address key transitional justice issues namely; truth telling, reconciliation, justice and restoration. 3. HZT Public Meeting Outreach Views The following are HZT’s specific observations on the NPRC Bill. These views are mainly informed by past and current consultations organised by HZT from all 9 provinces namely, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare and Mashonaland East, West, and Central provinces. A total of 2202 people were reached through public meetings and community peace clubs consultations. Public meetings reached 1126 people while HZT established 67 Community Peace Clubs meetings reached 1076 people. In its consultations HZT made efforts to reach both urban and rural communities. The meetings were held between January and March 2016. Below is a table indicating areas reached during HZT’s consultative meetings. Activity Area 67 meetings with Mutare, Buhera, Makoni, community Chipinge, Muzarabani, Mazowe, peace clubs Murehwa, Mutoko, Mbire, Zaka, Gutu, Bikita, Tsholotsho, Gokwe South and Gokwe North Public Meetings Gutu, Chitungwiza, Kwekwe, Chipinge, Chinhoyi, Marondera, Masvingo, Harare and Bulawayo Total 3 No. of people reached 1076 (596 males and 480 females) 1126 (552 females. males and 574 2202 people reached

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