Venezuela's acting president,
Delcy Rodriguez, called on Friday for the country to implement a "new judicial system" and proposed an "amnesty law" that would lead to the release of hundreds of political prisoners and turn an infamous detention center into a sports and social venue.
"May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation, violence, and extremism," she said in an event at the Supreme Court of Justice. "May it serve to restore justice in our country and restore peaceful coexistence among Venezuelans."
Though the interim Venezuelan government did not release the text of the bill, leaving unclear the specific criteria that will be used to determine who qualifies for amnesty, Rodriguez said it would cover cases from after 1999 but would exclude those imprisoned for killings, serious abuses of human rights and drug trafficking.
Opposition says amnesty must include all civil society
The US-supported opposition in Venezuela has long sought the release of many political leaders. Venezuela-based prisoners' rights group Foro Penal has estimated that 711 people are in detention for their political activities.
"A general amnesty is welcome as long as its elements and conditions include all of civil society, without discrimination, that it does not become a cloak of impunity, and that it contributes to dismantling the repressive apparatus of political persecution," Alfredo Romero, president of Foro Penal, said on social media.
Foro Penal has recorded 302 releases since January 8, when National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced that the government would free a significant number of prisoners.
"We recall that these people were arbitrarily imprisoned for exercising rights protected by international human rights instruments, the National Constitution, and Venezuelan laws," the Provea human rights group said in a statement. "The announcement of an amnesty should not be conceived, under any circumstances, as a pardon or act of clemency on the part of the State."
Opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado said that the amnesty proposal came only after Rodriguez was pushed by Washington.
"This is not a voluntary gesture by the regime, but a response to pressure from the United States government. And I hope that the prisoners will soon be able to be with their families," Machado posted on social media.
Venezuela begins releasing political prisoners
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From site of abuse and repression to public park?
Relatives of prisoners at the Helicoide detention center have held vigils and camped overnight outside the prison in recent weeks, demanding their relatives be freed. A 2022 UN report claimed Venezuela's state security agency tortured detainees at the prison, which was originally designed to be a mall.
Located in the capital, Caracas, Helicoide has long been denounced as the site of prisoner abuse and government repression and could be converted into a recreational center if Rodriguez's bill is enacted.
Government officials deny holding political prisoners and say those jailed have committed crimes. Officials also claimed more than 600 people had been released from prison, but have not been clear about the timeline and appear to be including releases from previous years.
Opposition politicians, dissident members of the security services, journalists and rights activists are often subject to charges like terrorism and treason, which their families say are unjust and arbitrary.
The recent releases were announced after the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his arraignment in a New York court on narcoterrorism charges, which he denies.
Target Venezuela: Drug war or US power grab?
