Local consultations in Osijek had amongst all, the purpose to exchange the experiences of South-African Commission for Truth and Reconciliation and experiences of others commissions in the world. Story of the South-African Commissions was shared by bishop Kevin Dowling and bishop Rustenberg, while Mr. Ivan Novosel from Legalis Zagreb, Croatia shared his experience in the truth-seeking and reconciliation process. The agenda and aims of the consultation process was presented by regional coordinator of Documenta, Eugen Jakovcic.
Before the debate on RECOM and its purpose and methodology, moderated by Katarina Kruhonja and bishop Kevin Dowling, the documentary film was projected called The Fifth Regional Forum for Transitional Justice: Initiative RECOM.
The documentary and consultations in general, managed to offer to all participants useful information on the Initiative, present similar experiences of other commissions in the world, and get a feedback during the discussions on what kind of model is needful and feasible in Balkans to have RECOM successfully implemented.
The presence of the bishop Dowling has raised very important issues regarding engagement of religious communities in the process of truth-seeking and reconciliation, and in finding the best mechanisms to engage sensitive categories in regional dialogue of the RECOM Initiative.
„I have come to share my South-African experience with you. I have personally witnessed in front of the Commission in South-African Republic, in search for the missing young man who died during the students’ demonstrations against apartheid. His destiny and destiny of many other missing persons was the main focus of the work of the Commission. The Commission has therefore raised broad social discussion on the destiny of the missing persons and has built up the mechanisms for truth-seeking”, stated bishop Dowling.
After the consultations in Osijek, Bishop Dowling also spoke on commemorative gathering in Lovas, to show the respect to the innocent victims who died on October 18th 1991.
Organized by:
www.documenta.hr – Documenta;
www.centar-za-mir.hr – CPNHR, Osijek;
www.ndcosijek.hr – Nansen Dialogue.
