AMNESTY, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it would be too expensive to punish.

Ambrose Bierce
AMNESTY, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it...
AMNESTY, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it...
AMNESTY, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it...
AMNESTY, n. The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it...
About This Quote

The term “amnesty” is a word that has come to mean a lot of things over the years. It is a catch-all term but it is used in a specific way in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., an amnesty is a pardon or a remission of some sort. It might be for crimes, civil offenses, or even unpaid taxes.

For instance, when our government releases prisoners early from their sentences, it is called an executive or “amnesty” release. The terms “amnesty” and “amnesty release” are often used interchangeably. The idea of an amnesty in the U.K., on the other hand, goes beyond what we mean by “pardon” or “release” in the U.S. At this point, if you commit a crime in Britain and are given any sort of punishment (up to and including life imprisonment), you can apply for an amnesty in Britain.

The idea behind this is that people who break the law should be given second chances so long as they are willing to be rehabilitated and return to society legally. The idea behind an amnesty in Canada is similar but slightly different than its American counterpart. Most people who commit crimes in Canada can apply for an "amnesty" in Canada if they return to their home country and renounce their Canadian citizenship (or never become citizens in the first place). This means that crimes committed in Canada could possibly be forgiven if the person involved returns home and pays his/her taxes/fines/penalties/etc., plus renounces his/her British/Canadian citizenship, gets a proper job, etc.

Source: The Unabridged Devils Dictionary

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