You may find it interesting to learn that the original meaning of amnesty referred to the voluntary overlooking of an offense by the one offended. Now that sense is archaic, and the act of granting amnesty has become a governmental function.

In criminal law, amnesty refers to a sovereign act of oblivion or forgetfulness (amnesty comes from the Greek amnestia, meaning "forgetfulness"). Usually, amnesty is granted to a group of persons who are guilty of (usually political) crimes in the past. It is often conditional upon the group's return to obedience and duty within a prescribed period.

While amnesty may imply a promise to forget, pardon refers to the remission of punishment or penalty, entirely effective but without exoneration from guilt. Absolution may indicate a formal acquittal in law or a definitive remission of punishment for sin in religion.