Venezuela: UN Fact-Finding Mission cautiously welcomes draft Amnesty Law, urges greater transparency and public participation

PANAMA / GENEVA – The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela cautiously welcomes the National Assembly’s initial approval of the draft Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence. But the measure must not proceed without rigorous oversight that ensures transparency, accountability, and the safe, meaningful involvement of victims, their families and civil society.

“An amnesty law offers an opportunity to provide justice and alleviate the suffering of the many people who have been unlawfully detained for political reasons in Venezuela,” said Alex Neve, an expert of the Fact-Finding Mission. “However, its legitimacy and impact depend on a transparent and inclusive process that is fully grounded in international human rights law.”

“This law has the potential to contribute to restoring rights and repairing Venezuela’s social fabric, but the voices of the countless Venezuelans whose rights have been violated in the country’s prisons, as well as the civil society organizations who have assisted and defended them, must be at the centre of this process,” Neve said.