The NGO Acceso a la Justicia identified contradictions and conflicts of interest in it amnesty bill in Venezuelathat could be approved this week by Parliament.
In a press release, the organization stressed that the project “incurs fundamental contradictions when talking about ‘extremism’”which in his opinion disqualifies possible beneficiaries of the amnesty from the outset and presupposes his criminal responsibility.
Likewise, he warned that the draft introduces the concept of “sovereign clemency”which -according to the NGO- implies the prior existence of fault or responsibilitysomething that denatures the figure of amnestywhich by definition does not prejudge.
Access to Justice also noted “a clear conflict of interest”well the execution of the amnesty remains in the hands of the courts and the Prosecutor’s Officethe same institutions that – according to complaints from organizations such as the UN Fact-Finding Mission– have participated in “massive and indiscriminate repression”.
He warned that the project does not allow family members, lawyers or NGOs to act on behalf of potential beneficiaries of the amnesty.
“Added to this is that the draft does not establish what happens if a judge determines that a case is not eligible for amnesty”added the organization.
The amnesty law would exclude to those who have committed serious human rights violations, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, drug trafficking with a minimum sentence of more than nine years in prison and crimes against public property.
Access to Justice explained that the crime of homicide includes assassinationfigure that has been accused of numerous soldiersalthough he clarified that one cannot speak of an assassination if the death of the alleged victim has not occurred.
Therefore, the NGO He urged that the application of the law be “fair, guaranteeing and transparent”to allow the prompt freedom and tranquility of people politically persecuted from 1999 to January 30, 2026as well as their families.
The proposed law is part of what the acting president, Delcy Rodríguezcalls a “new political moment”and it occurs in the middle of a release process announced on January 8days after capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States.
