11.   Cynicism about the peace process has further been fed by the amnesty law the Guatemalan Congress approved two weeks ago.

12.   During the parliamentary debate over the new amnesty law, several amendments aimed at broadening its provisions were defeated.

13.   In South Africa, an amnesty law will shield people from prosecution if they confess to all crimes they committed under the repressive apartheid regime.

14.   Labor leaders said they hoped their new policy would help persuade Congress to pass an amnesty law that would enable immigrant workers to stand up for their rights.

15.   Military analysts said that the amnesty law is a payback of sorts for the crushing blow that the military has dealt to the Shining Path.

16.   Meanwhile, an amnesty law passed by the National Assembly allowed many reported perpetrators of brutal human rights violations to avoid prosecution.

17.   Other factors likely contributing are the guest worker program advocated by Mexican President Vicente Fox or the possibility of a second amnesty law.

18.   That could leave them open to arrest if no amnesty law is passed by then -- unless, of course, they choose exile.

19.   The Alliance Against Impunity is also challenging the constitutionality of the amnesty law in the courts on grounds of vagueness and contradictory language.

20.   The amnesty law dates to the Reagan era.