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Heal Zimbabwe express concern over failed national healing and reconciliation
27 Mar 2016 at 08:58hrs | Views
Heal Zimbabwe Trust has expressed concerns over the failed national healing and reconciliation processes in Zimbabwe.
The trust said on this year's occasion of the International Day for the Right to the truth concerning gross human rights violations and for the dignity of victims,it continues to express grave concern over the need for truth telling in the healing and reconciliation process.
"The purpose of this day which is celebrated every year is to honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice. On this day we also pay tribute to those who devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all," said the trust.
"This year's commemorations come at a time when the national is seized with the herculean task of coming to terms with revelations by Bulawayo Senator, David Coltart (MDC) in his book titled "The Struggle Continues-50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe. In the book, Coltart makes shocking revelations on the role played by the current political leadership particularly the Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the Gukurahundi atrocities in the 80s."
The trust said such allegations against a sitting Vice President who in accordance with the constitution must be promoting unity and peace, highlight how important truth telling ,healing and reconciliation is to all Zimbabweans.
"Heal Zimbabwe again reiterate the need to expedite operationalization of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission(NPRC) whose mandate is to spearhead these key processes as enshrined in the constitution," said the trust.
"Revelations in Sen Coltart's book no matter how damaging they can be pronounced, serve as a reminder that there is need for truth telling for reconciliation and healing to take place. Heal Zimbabwe restates that unless there is enough political will to shift from the denialist approach to past violations, reconciliation and healing will remain a distant dream."
The trust said national healing processes including the onerous task that lies ahead for the NPRC, might not yield any results if the political leadership remain in denial on the need for truth telling.
"It is high time political office bearers and leaders and all persons involved in all past atrocities including recent past events such as the 2008 violence come out openly and take responsibility. The first step to a genuine reconciliation process entails accepting our wrong past and telling the truth to find peace with ourselves and let justice take its course. A never again attitude can only be born from acknowledging wrongs of the past and telling the truth of what happened," said the trust.
"Heal Zimbabwe calls upon all Zimbabweans who have taken part in any violation to own up in the spirit of enhancing an important reconciliation process. National Healing requires participation by all Zimbabweans."
The trust said on this year's occasion of the International Day for the Right to the truth concerning gross human rights violations and for the dignity of victims,it continues to express grave concern over the need for truth telling in the healing and reconciliation process.
"The purpose of this day which is celebrated every year is to honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice. On this day we also pay tribute to those who devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all," said the trust.
"This year's commemorations come at a time when the national is seized with the herculean task of coming to terms with revelations by Bulawayo Senator, David Coltart (MDC) in his book titled "The Struggle Continues-50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe. In the book, Coltart makes shocking revelations on the role played by the current political leadership particularly the Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the Gukurahundi atrocities in the 80s."
The trust said such allegations against a sitting Vice President who in accordance with the constitution must be promoting unity and peace, highlight how important truth telling ,healing and reconciliation is to all Zimbabweans.
"Heal Zimbabwe again reiterate the need to expedite operationalization of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission(NPRC) whose mandate is to spearhead these key processes as enshrined in the constitution," said the trust.
"Revelations in Sen Coltart's book no matter how damaging they can be pronounced, serve as a reminder that there is need for truth telling for reconciliation and healing to take place. Heal Zimbabwe restates that unless there is enough political will to shift from the denialist approach to past violations, reconciliation and healing will remain a distant dream."
The trust said national healing processes including the onerous task that lies ahead for the NPRC, might not yield any results if the political leadership remain in denial on the need for truth telling.
"It is high time political office bearers and leaders and all persons involved in all past atrocities including recent past events such as the 2008 violence come out openly and take responsibility. The first step to a genuine reconciliation process entails accepting our wrong past and telling the truth to find peace with ourselves and let justice take its course. A never again attitude can only be born from acknowledging wrongs of the past and telling the truth of what happened," said the trust.
"Heal Zimbabwe calls upon all Zimbabweans who have taken part in any violation to own up in the spirit of enhancing an important reconciliation process. National Healing requires participation by all Zimbabweans."
Source - Byo24News
