L'amnistie (en. Amnesty)

[l’am-nis-ti]

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Legal provision that erases or reduces criminal penalties.

The amnesty was proclaimed for crimes committed during the war.

L'amnistie a été proclamée pour les crimes commis pendant la guerre.

Act by which an authority decides not to prosecute offenses.

A general amnesty was granted to arrested protesters.

Une amnistie générale a été accordée aux manifestants arrêtés.

The term comes from ancient Greek 'amnistia', meaning forgetfulness, derived from 'amnestos', which means forgotten.

amnesty requests

Requests to obtain an amnesty.

demandes d'amnistie

political amnesty

Amnesty granted for political reasons.

amnistie politique

to proclaim the amnesty

To make an official declaration of amnesty.

proclamer l'amnistie

grace

Act by which an authority grants a reduction or cancellation of penalty.

grâce

retroactivity

Nature of a law that applies to facts prior to its coming into force.

rétroactivité

Without consequence

This amnesty is just a formality, like an act without consequence.

Cette amnistie, c'est juste une formalité, comme un acte sans conséquence.

A coat of paint

They gave amnesty to the convicted; it's just a coat of paint on an old system.

Ils ont donné une amnistie aux condamnés, c'est juste un coup de peinture sur un vieux système.