The National Assembly of Venezuela has unanimously passed an amnesty law, which could theoretically lead to the release of hundreds of political prisoners and put an end to the persecution related to the country's long-standing internal political crisis that has been ongoing since 1999. However, human rights defenders and opponents of the current government express doubts due to a number of restrictions contained in the bill.
The initiative for the bill came from the government led by President Delcy Rodriguez, who calls this law an important step towards national reconciliation. Jorge Rodriguez, the chairman of the parliament, noted that the amnesty should put an end to years of polarization and mark the beginning of a "new political era."
According to the text of the law, pardons may be granted to individuals who committed political offenses during various unrest over the past decades. At the same time, the law contains strict exceptions. Those accused of the following will not be able to access the amnesty:
intentional murder and corruption crimes;illegal drug trafficking;serious human rights violations;organization of armed actions with the support of foreign states.
Opposition representatives and human rights organizations are cautious in their assessments. While they acknowledge the significance of this decision, they emphasize that there are no guarantees of automatic restoration of political rights and return of previously confiscated property. Non-governmental organizations also insist on the need to create transparent mechanisms for selecting candidates for release.
According to the organization Foro Penal, since January of this year, more than 400 people have been released, but over 600 political prisoners remain in prisons. The authorities, in turn, point to higher figures of those released and promise to continue the process in the near future.
Before the law was passed, there were tense debates and protests by relatives of the prisoners, who demanded a broader scope of the amnesty. Experts note that the real effectiveness of the law will only become evident during its practical implementation and in the dynamics of subsequent releases.
