5.4 The position of victims In addition to the recommendation in the Summary document that there should be an extensive process of consultation with victims and the broader Zimbabwean community about the establishment of a TJRC, the document recognizes the right of victims of all past human rights abuses to redress, and further recognizes that the mechanisms to be established “ must be victim-centred, and must be capable of addressing the needs of victims in a meaningful way.” One of the tasks which civil society must undertake, therefore, is to make specific proposals as to how victims are indeed to be assured a central position in the whole set-up. There is a wealth of experience from other countries that have gone through similar transitions. It is a modern truism that no two countries will find themselves at an identical starting point, and that not only will the extent and types of violations differ from state to state but so will the historical, political, social, cultural and other contexts. However, this does not mean that Zimbabwe (or any other territory) trying to deal with the past through a TJRC has to re-invent the wheel. Obviously there should be a free and open debate on all aspects of a TJRC, but there should be no derogation from the fundamental and internationally recognized right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross human rights violations. In as much as the TJRC is envisaged as playing a central (but not exclusive) role in upholding these rights, any attempts, innocent or otherwise, to sideline victims must be vigorously resisted. Victims need to be consulted from the start as to how they see their interests being properly met. Once more it is stressed that if this is left to a later stage there may be a real danger of their concerns being brushed-aside in the rush of events. Specific attention should be focused on victim communities as well as individuals, and communication with them must not only be strengthened in the run-up to the establishment of the TJRC but must be maintained during its work, so that there will be feedback on the success or otherwise of the whole enterprise. 17