GOVERNMENT’S insincerity regarding the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Bill has been exposed by its failure to publicise the proposed law for the benefit of ordinary people, a study conducted by a local non-governmental organisation has shown.
BY MUNESU NYAKUDYA
In a snap survey, peace and healing watcher, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT), polled 230 participants of whom 79% said they were yet to get any information about the NPRC draft Bill, which was gazetted on December 18, 2015.
Ironically though, the survey indicated that among the participants, some were able to demonstrate knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the NPRC.
“These statistics indicate that in general, most citizens were not aware of the NPRC Bill at the time the government was planning to roll out it’s thinly-spread consultative meetings on the Bill. Lack of awareness campaigns and information dissemination across the country has been a challenge in the process,” a report on the survey indicated.
It also stated that this nature of doing work meant government did not raise awareness on the commission and the Bill, hence exposing the government’s incapacity, failure and lack of sincerity in the process.
As if to admit the shortcomings, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko withdrew the draft Bill from Parliament on May 10, 2016, saying government had found it fit to first consider the adverse report by the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
The NPRC was established to facilitate the rehabilitation and the restoration of the human and civil dignity of victims of violations of human rights, among other goals.
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Speaking at a Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust and HZT policy dialogue seminar in Harare yesterday, Anna Tinarwo, an official from Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, gave an account of the processes that took place from the drafting of the Bill until it was withdrawn.
Tinarwo admitted government lacked capacity and help from technical partners would be welcome.
“We want the Bill this time around to reflect the views of the people. This process is not for the government alone but for everyone,” she said.
