When most people think of amnesty or pardon, they think of the same thing. However, there is a big difference between amnesty and pardon. This blog post will discuss the differences between amnesty and pardon, and how each one can be beneficial.
What is Amnesty?
- Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who take action to end abuses of human rights. Amnesty International investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. Amnesty International was founded in London in 1961 by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer. Amnesty is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights to be respected and protected.
- Amnesty’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Amnesty International works to end impunity for those responsible for the most serious human rights violations, such as torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions.
- Amnesty International strives to stop these violations and hold perpetrators accountable by conducting research and documenting abuses, bringing cases before national or international courts or intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations, pressuring governments to change their policies and practices that violate human rights, Alarming facts on human rights violations around the globe are published in Amnesty International’s annual reports. Amnesty International membership is open to everyone who agrees with the aims and principles of Amnesty International.
What is Pardon?
Pardon is a legal act of forgiveness. It is granted by the President of the United States to people who have been convicted of federal crimes. Pardons are usually given for people who have served their sentence and have been out of prison for a number of years. Pardons can also be given to people who have not yet been convicted of a crime. Pardons are not common, but they do happen. Some notable pardons include Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich. Pardons are controversial, and there is much debate about whether or not they should be used. Pardons can be a powerful tool, but they should be used sparingly and with great care.
Difference between Amnesty and Pardon
Amnesty and pardon are both mechanisms of clemency. Amnesty is an act of forgiveness for a crime, often political in nature, committed by a group or person. It is usually granted en masse, without requiring an individual to admit guilt. Pardon, on the other hand, is an act of mercy granted to an individual by authorities for a specific crime. The guilty party must first admit their guilt before a pardon can be granted. Amnesty is thus a more lenient form of clemency, while pardon requires admission of wrongdoing and often implies repentance on the part of the offender. Amnesty is typically used in cases where many people have committed similar offenses, while pardon is more often used for high-profile offenders or in cases where there is some extenuating circumstance.
Conclusion
The difference between amnesty and pardon is an important distinction to make. Amnesty refers to a situation in which all penalties are waived and the individual is allowed to start fresh. Pardon, on the other hand, only waives some of the penalties and the individual still has a criminal record. It’s important to know the difference when considering whether or not someone deserves a second chance.
