Amnesty International has warned that the recently approved amnesty law in Venezuela must not be implemented in a way that reinforces political repression, nearly two months after its adoption.
The organization raised concerns that the law, intended to grant freedom to individuals prosecuted or detained for political reasons, is being applied inconsistently and without clear criteria. According to Ana Piquer, the same arbitrariness that has characterized past detentions is now shaping how courts decide who benefits from the amnesty.
While the law has led to the release of hundreds of individuals, many others have reportedly had their applications rejected without transparent procedures or justification. Amnesty International highlighted cases such as a 16-year-old charged with terrorism and a lawyer previously under house arrest who were both denied amnesty without explanation, pointing to a broader pattern of discretionary decision-making.
Human rights groups have long warned that Venezuela’s justice system has been used to suppress dissent, and recent developments suggest that these concerns persist despite the new legislation. Critics argue that although the law has freed thousands of detainees, its limited scope and unclear implementation leave many still excluded from relief.
Amnesty International stressed that the situation reflects a continuing pattern of human rights violations and called for high-level investigations into the handling of the law. The organization urged that international justice mechanisms play a role in ensuring accountability and providing reparations for victims and their families.
The amnesty law was initially introduced as part of efforts to promote reconciliation and address years of political detentions. However, rights advocates maintain that without transparency, consistency, and adherence to international human rights standards, the law risks becoming another tool of repression rather than a path to justice.
