CARACAS (AP).— The releases of political prisoners in Venezuela since the Amnesty Law came into force three days ago increased to 40, indicated yesterday the Penal Forum, a civil organization that ensures the rights of prisoners in the country.
Earlier, the organization had verified 16 releases with full freedom, a figure well below what was said on Saturday by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, who assured that 1,557 amnesty requests “are being attended to immediately,” and that “hundreds of releases are already taking place” of people “who benefit from the Law.”
On Sunday afternoon, the vice president of the Penal Forum, Gonzalo Himiob, reported on his account on the social network
The legislative branch ratified on Thursday the new law for the mass release of political prisoners that will apply to opposition leaders, union members, human rights activists, students, academics and journalists, among others, detained for months or even years.
Organizations defending human rights have reacted with distrust towards the law, as they still consider it insufficient for leaving aside, for example, imprisoned military personnel. The rule excludes those convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, human rights violations and military rebellion.
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