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a general pardon for offenses, especially political offenses, against a government, often granted before any trial or conviction.
Law. an act of forgiveness for past offenses, especially to a class of persons as a whole.
a forgetting or overlooking of any past offense.
to grant amnesty to; pardon.
Contemporary Examples

On immigration, amnesty is part of the program but only after other enforcement measures are put in place.
Inter-Galactic Reform Conservatism Michael Tomasky May 30, 2013

But if they get to redefine what “human rights” even means, then they might suddenly look like amnesty International.
At the United Nations, It’s Human Rights, Putin-Style Jay Michaelson June 25, 2014

The president added that the negotiations were still at an early stage, and details of the amnesty program had not been finalized.
Somalia Offers Amnesty to Junior Pirates to End Hijackings Jay Bahadur March 2, 2013

On immigration reform: “Secure the borders” and “no amnesty.”
Tea Party Flops in Georgia Senate Race Patricia Murphy May 18, 2014

Along with amnesty, our borders were to be secured once and for all.
The Liberal Case Against Illegal Immigration Doug McIntyre November 24, 2014

Historical Examples

He had pardoned nearly all the leaders in the rebellion through the medium of amnesty proclamations.
The Facts of Reconstruction John R. Lynch

The very pith of the thing was the act of amnesty and oblivion.
Rattlin the Reefer Edward Howard

After the events of Thermidor the Convention had thrown open the prison doors, put an end to bloodshed, and proclaimed an amnesty.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte William Milligan Sloane

Just when the revolution was rife Pius the Ninth proclaimed an amnesty.
Ave Roma Immortalis, Vol. 2 Francis Marion Crawford

The taking of Imus gave General Polavieja an opportunity of offering an amnesty to the rebels, which he did not neglect.
The Inhabitants of the Philippines Frederic H. Sawyer

noun (pl) -ties
a general pardon, esp for offences against a government
a period during which a law is suspended to allow offenders to admit their crime without fear of prosecution
(law) a pardon granted by the Crown or Executive and effected by statute
verb -ties, -tying, -tied
(transitive) to overlook or forget (an offence)
n.

“pardon of past offenses,” 1570s, from French amnestie “intentional overlooking,” from Latin amnestia, from Greek amnestia “forgetfulness (of wrong); an amnesty,” from a-, privative prefix, “not” (see a- (3)), + mnestis “remembrance,” related to mnaomai “I remember” (see mind (n.)). As a verb, from 1809. Amnesty International founded 1961 as Appeal for Amnesty. The name was changed 1963.