Amnesty Law - Venezuela reports nearly 3,200 people fully released since bill took effect

"Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Arreaza reported in Caracas on Tuesday that nearly 3,200 full releases have been granted to people who were previously under precautionary measures, thanks to the recently approved Amnesty Law. "We have received, as of this morning, 4,200 requests to receive the benefit of amnesty. And 3,052 full releases have been granted to people who already had a precautionary measure of periodic reporting or house arrest," the president of the parliamentary commission tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence in Venezuela said. Arreaza also announced that earlier on Tuesday, "179 people deprived of liberty have also obtained their full release," adding to the more than 3,000 previously released. He also noted that Venezuelans living outside the country who wish to return to Venezuela can rely on article 7 of the law, which establishes that "they can do so without coming to the country through a trusted lawyer, male or female, without being deprived of liberty, if the amnesty applies." Arreaza stressed that the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, promoted by acting president Delcy Rodriguez and approved last week in its second reading, excludes individuals convicted of human rights violations, war crimes, murder, drug trafficking or corruption."