1. Restoration of Citizen Security
National healing should ensure that there is a non partisan, independent, impartial
police force and judiciary, that the army is not used against civil forces and that the
State is demilitarised the chiefs in the villages carry out their functions in a non
partisan manner and that the youth militias are not used as a reserve force against
civilians.
Fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and assembly are upheld,
There must be a true restoration of the rule of law and clear and accountable
systems of accountability and transparency..
Peace education should be made a priority and established in communities in
partnership with civil society to promote co- existence and sustainable peace.
2. Truth telling
Truth telling is a prerequisite if healing is to be achieved. The atrocities must be
exposed as the reports have been withheld from the public. Reports such as the
Catholic Commission for Justice on the Matabeleland atrocities would need to be
published together with other similar reports.
3. Justice
Justice must take place. Perpetrators must be made to face the wrath of the law. UN
Security Council Resolution 1325 calls upon States parties to end impunity and
prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity war crimes
including those relating to sexual and other violence.
Women demand that there be no blanket amnesty for atrocities that were committed
(taking into account command responsibility) particularly in cases such as rape and
other sexual offences targeting women be exempted from amnesty as provided for in
UN Security Council Resolution 1820.
Prosecutions should be based on concepts of gender sensitivity carried out by
experienced gender sensitive personnel and there must be a fair gender
representation within the judiciary.
Prosecutions must guarantee witness protection to prevent backlash and in addition
a functional victim friendly unit must be in place to prosecute cases involving female
victims particularly where sexual cases are concerned.
Public apologies where possible must be made by officials as acknowledgements of
the wrongs done. As a matter of principle individuals who have committed human
rights atrocities must be disqualified from holding public office or participating in the
new government.
4. Reparations
Reparations must be alive to women’s particular concerns and must provide for
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