"Rodriguez told a gathering of justices, 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 fueled by violence and extremism," she added in the pretaped televised event. "May it serve to redirect justice in our country, and may it serve to redirect coexistence among Venezuelans.""
"Rodriguez also announced the shutdown of Helicoide, a prison in Caracas where torture and other human rights abuses have been repeatedly documented by independent organizations. The facility, she said, will be transformed into a sports, social and cultural center for police and surrounding neighborhoods. 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."
"Relatives of some prisoners livestreamed Rodriguez's speech on a phone as they gathered outside Helicoide. Some cried. Many chanted "Freedom! Freedom!" "God is good. God heard us," Johana Chirinos, a prisoner's aunt, said as tears rolled down her face."
An amnesty bill was announced 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 been sought by the United States-backed opposition and will be taken up urgently by the ruling party-controlled National Assembly. The announcement followed Delcy Rodriguez taking power on Jan. 3 after the seizure of then-President Nicolas Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Caracas. Rodriguez ordered the shutdown of Helicoide prison and said the facility will be transformed into a sports, social and cultural center. Families gathered outside Helicoide, many crying and chanting for freedom.
Read at www.npr.org
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