Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

general-amnesty

noun

ˈdʒɛn.ər.əl ˈæm.nə.sti

Definition

A general amnesty refers to a government decision to pardon a group of individuals, often for political offenses, across an entire population or a specific category of people, typically for a defined period of time.

Examples

The government announced a general amnesty for all political prisoners, allowing them to return home.
After the civil war, a general amnesty was declared to promote healing and reconciliation among the citizens.
Many politicians advocated for a general amnesty to encourage those who fled the country to come back without the fear of persecution.

Meaning

The term represents an official event where certain actions, such as political dissent or rebellion, are forgiven, allowing affected individuals to reintegrate into society without punishment.