This Tuesday, the Special Commission for the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence met with family members of some of the persons detained in Venezuela, specifically from the Committee of Family Members and Friends for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPPVE) and the Penal Forum.
The president of this commission, Deputy Jorge Arreaza, and the vice president, Deputy Nora Bracho, listened to the proposals and observations from this sector in order to evaluate the ideas that could be incorporated into the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, proposed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and approved in its first reading by the National Assembly (AN):
“We have received numerous proposals from legal experts, jurists, of people who have suffered the impacts of the political confrontation of latest years, and we must listen to them (the families of those detained) so that we can reflect their perspectives in the law,” assured Arreaza.
He reaffirmed that the purpose of the law is national reconciliation. In this regard, he indicated that Article 2 of this legal instrument outlines the objectives of this law, including the promotion of peace, the harmonious development of national life, democratic participation, and political pluralism.
“We are doing everything possible to reach a consensus and resolve, through constitutional means, any differences we may have,” sentenced the parliamentarian, while at the same time confirming that all proposals will be evaluated to their detail.
Arreaza made a call to all sectors for collaboration to prevent “events like these” from happening again. He also added that the law alone is not enough; it is also needed the work of everyone, from the opposition to Chavismo: “We don’t want to be in a state of war, but in a State of Peace. The law alone is not enough; we need a great effort. Thank you for the courage you have shown.”
The vice president of the commission, Nora Bracho, emphasized that there will always be differences among Venezuelans, but manifested that the Amnesty Law is a tool to impulse union in the country. She described this path as one taken by courageous, and citizens who want peace in Venezuela.
The first vice president of the National Assembly, Pedro Infante, asked family members to submit in writing their proposals for the bill, case by case, including the detainee’s name and any relevant information. “We are truly working here,” added Infante.
Similarly, the coordinator of the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, Ernesto Villegas, assured that all family members will be attended starting this Wednesday at the Rómulo Gallegos Center for Latin American Studies (Celarg) in Altamira, “with respect and on equal terms.”
The relatives, for their part, presented their cases, and it was emphasized that the law will address the events (1999-2026) so that the competent bodies can later evaluate particular situations.
