By Alessandra Freitas, CNN
(CNN) — Venezuelan lawmakers on Thursday passed new legislation that gives amnesty to hundreds of people who were prosecuted or convicted for political reasons during 27 years of authoritarian rule.
Rights groups and opposition members have cautiously welcomed the law, saying it offers an opportunity to ease the suffering of many, but that the process must be transparent and held to account.
Some say the bill didn’t go far enough, and have questioned whether an amendment to one of the articles could prevent activists and opposition members in exile from receiving amnesty.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, who came to power after a US military operation removed President Nicolás Maduro, proposed the new amnesty law last month under pressure from Washington.
A chance for peaceful ‘coexistence’
The law will grant general amnesty to political prisoners processed or convicted since 1999 – the start of Hugo Chávez’s presidency – through to the present day. This includes many opposition figures, activists, journalists, students and others detained during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and beyond.
However, the amnesty explicitly excludes those convicted or prosecuted for homicide, drug trafficking, corruption, grave human rights violations, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Lawmaker Jorge Arreaza, who presented the bill, highlighted these carve-outs to ensure the measure does not shield serious offenses.
The text, published by the assembly, frames the law as a tool to “repair deep wounds” from political confrontation and promote peaceful coexistence.
Hundreds of political prisoners are still locked up, according to human rights groups, and many of those released so far have faced restrictions and conditions such as travel bans, periodic court appearances and gag orders.
In Caracas, thousands of students held a rare mass protest on February 12, during a congressional debate on the bill, to demand the unconditional release of political prisoners and the end of what they consider persecution against dissidents.
The government announced last month it would free “a significant number” of prisoners in response to US pressure. Since then, more than 400 people have been released, according to rights group Foro Penal, though the tally lags official claims of over 800. Among those released are a mother and her 6-month-old baby, who had been born in prison, the opposition said Thursday.
No official public list of released individuals has been issued, but Rodríguez said she would invite the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office to verify releases.
Upon full passage, the law could trigger immediate mass liberations, with National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez assuring families that releases would occur swiftly post-approval.
The bill passed its first discussion unanimously earlier this month, then advanced to public consultation before the final vote.
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