- Definition: Amnesty refers to an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offences. It’s an act of forgiveness typically granted by a government to a group of individuals, often in the context of political crimes, and is used as a tool for peace and reconciliation in political transitions.
- Etymology and Origin: “Amnesty” comes from the Greek word “amnestia,” meaning “forgetfulness, oblivion.” It was derived from “amnēstos,” meaning “forgotten” or “unremembered,” which is composed of “a-” (not, without) and “mnasthai” (to remember). The term entered English in the late 16th century, carrying over its connotations of forgiveness and forgetting past offences.
Amnesty Definition and Origin: The Path to Political Forgiveness
