COVID-19: Mexico’s Amnesty Law could save thousands of lives

Amid the first COVID-19 outbreak in a Mexican prison and with the possibility of massive outbreaks in many others, where it would be almost impossible to stop the spread of the virus, the President has urged the Senate to approve the Amnesty Law.

Last Sunday, NGOs warned EL UNIVERSAL about how difficult it would be to halt a massive coronavirus outbreak in Mexican prison s , where 200,000 inmates are imprisoned.

The demand to accelerate the approval of the amnesty law was made too late but if senators collaborate, it could help to prevent a human tragedy .

According to experts, since the amnesty law would be a federal law, it would result in the release of 5% of inmates , a percentage that includes around 6,000 people who were jailed for being in possession of illegal substances , such as marijuana , for their personal consumption.

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The amnesty law would also mean to reduce the possibility of contagion for people who shouldn’t even be in jail or whose crimes are minor, nevertheless, now they will have to wait for senators to go back to work so they can approve the bill since they canceled all sessions amid the pandemic .

It is evident that the Legislative Branch hasn’t been able to adapt to COVID-19 and physical distancing . While other government sectors have been using videoconferences to replace meetings and the Supreme Court announced it will also implement this measure, Congress has not shown any signs of adopting technology to approve bills that are essential for the country.

If the amnesty law is finally approved, it would be implemented in federal prisons and a similar measure would have to be implemented in state prisons to benefit people charged with minor crimes and who are the majority of inmates. Mexico is in the midst of a public health crisis, it is urgent to take the necessary steps to protect those who don’t deserve to be in jail.

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