It was approved unanimously on February 5 by Venezuelan legislators in the first of two readings.
“The amnesty”offers an opportunity to provide justice and alleviate the suffering of many people who have been illegally detained for political reasons. in Venezuela,” said Alex Neve, member of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Venezuela.
“This law has the potential to help restore rights and repair the social fabric of Venezuela, but the voices of the countless Venezuelans whose rights have been violated in the country’s prisons, as well as the civil society organizations that have helped and defended them, must be at the center of this process”said Mr. Neve.
The bigger picture
Following years of political violence in Venezuela, many politicians, activists and journalists have been accused of crimes such as terrorism or treason, according to human rights groups.
According to media reports More than 300 political prisoners have been released since January 8, but many political prisoners remain detained..
Essential transparency
UN human rights experts have expressed concerns about how the amnesty will be enacted, stating that its “legitimacy and impact depend on a transparent and inclusive process that is fully based on international human rights law.”
In a statement issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council, researchers warned of the “absence of informed, inclusive and safe public consultations”“And he emphasized the need for ‘a transparent process, with significant participation of victims, their families and civil society.’
Calls for participation
María Quintero, an expert from the Investigative Mission, stated that “it is advisable that the judicial verification procedure includes the participation of victims and their families, their representatives and human rights organizations, in order to prevent the law from being instrumentalized or applied in a manner incompatible with international standards.”
He added that “we must not forget accountability.”
As the bill is debated within the Venezuelan government, UN experts have reiterated their call for the “unconditional” release of all political prisonersstating that “it is essential that the prisoner release process, which is already underway, continues without interruption.”
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission appointed by the Human Rights Council was created to evaluate alleged human rights violations committed since 2014.