There was a Twilight Zone (series remake) ep where aliens came to earth and humans mistakenly thought they were to be exterminated for their warlike past. In response, the UN rapidly banged out a global peace treaty which the alien representative found hysterical. They almost gave us a pass for 'humor' but decided in the end to kill everyone for not be sufficiently war like.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.