Venezuela Releases Group of Political Prisoners Based on 'New Evidence'

Human Rights Groups Welcome Move, Call for Further Amnesty

President Maduro Grants Clemency to 112 Detainees

The Venezuelan government released 112 political prisoners on August 1, 2023, citing new evidence that exonerated them. The move was welcomed by human rights groups, but they also called for the release of all remaining political prisoners and an investigation into past abuses.

The prisoners were released following a review of their cases by the National Commission for Truth, Justice, and Peace. The commission was created by President Nicolás Maduro in 2019 to investigate alleged human rights violations during his predecessor's tenure.

According to the commission, most of the released prisoners were detained on charges of conspiracy or rebellion. However, the commission found no evidence to support these charges in many cases.

Human rights groups praised the release of the prisoners, but they also called for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Venezuela. According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, there are still over 240 political prisoners in the country.

The groups also called for an investigation into the alleged human rights abuses that led to the imprisonment of these individuals. They argued that those responsible for these abuses must be held accountable.

The Maduro government has denied allegations of human rights abuses, but it has agreed to work with the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the issue.