Hundreds of political prisoners to be released following amnesty bill

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Friday announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.

The measure had long been sought by the United States-backed opposition. It is the latest concession Ms Rodriguez has made since taking the reins of the country on January 3 after the brazen seizure of then-president Nicolas Maduro in a US military attack on Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

Ms Rodriguez told a gathering of judges, magistrates, ministers, military brass and other government leaders that the ruling party-controlled National Assembly would take up the bill with urgency.

“May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fuelled by violence and extremism,” she added in the pre-taped televised event.

“May it serve to redirect justice in our country, and may it serve to redirect coexistence among Venezuelans.”

Ms Rodriguez also announced the shutdown of Helicoide, a prison in Caracas where torture and other human rights abuses have been repeatedly documented by independent organisations.

The facility, she said, will be transformed into a sports, social and cultural centre for police and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Ms Rodriguez made her announcement before some of the officials that former prisoners and human rights watchdogs have accused of ordering the abuses committed at Helicoide and other detention facilities.

The Venezuelan-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates that 711 people are in detention facilities across the South American country for their political activities. Of those, 183 have been sentenced.

Ms Rodriguez said the “general amnesty law” will cover the “entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present.” She also explained that people convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption or human rights violations will not qualify for relief.