It was noted that any truth commission set to deal with Zimbabwe's past needed to create trust to enable
the people to approach it for truth telling. Gender activists were concerned that commissions often leave
out women representation on their panels. The participants suggested that the composition of the
commissions must have women who understand the concerns of women who will appear before them.
Some participants at the meetings argued that the Government of National Unity (GNU) lacked the
legitimacy of taking a lead in transitional justice processes in Zimbabwe, because some members of the
GNU were also actors in violence.
The Forum enquired on what could be done to ensure that the transitional justice process was achieved in
the light of these arguments. They argued that justice delayed is justice denied and something has to be
done to expedite the process of transitional justice. Against this background, some participants argued for
a new constitution and a new government that can be mandated to carry out the transitional justice
process legitimately instead of the current arrangement.
In addition it was also noted that all transitional justice mechanisms should be part of a holistic, integrated
process; truth telling without prosecutions will not be acceptable. Participants noted that "transitional
justice processes should be conducted to their logical conclusion. Truth telling without justice
(prosecutions) is not enough”
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