Suggestion on the Gradual, Batch-by-Batch Removal of Rightist Labels and the Pardoning of a Group of Criminals\[1\]
(August 24, 1959; September 14, 1959)

Comrade Shaoqi:

Regarding the question of gradually removing the labels of the 450,000 Rightists nationwide in batches, Comrade Yang Shangkui\[2\] of the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee has said that this is an important policy issue. He mentioned that he had already spoken to you about it, and you promised to consider this matter comprehensively upon returning to Beijing. I believe that, over time, it is possible to win over at least 70% of the Rightists. For instance, in the next seven years (or longer), it is feasible to strive each year to transform and remove the labels of about 10%. Please bring this up for discussion before the Standing Committee and the Secretariat, and have the Central Committee issue a directive. On the occasion of the tenth National Day, based on verified cases of genuine change, remove the labels of the first batch of reformed Rightists — about [number missing in original] individuals
— that is, 10%. This would have a significant impact on educating the Rightists, the bourgeoisie in general, intellectuals, and members of democratic parties, as they would feel there is indeed a future for them. It would also be highly beneficial for the current campaign against Right-leaning tendencies and for boosting morale. After the labels are removed, if old habits resurface and they lean Right again — twice, three times... — it is not a serious matter; simply put the Rightist label back on them.

Additionally, it occurs to me that this year, for the tenth National Day commemoration, we might consider pardoning a group (not a "general amnesty," but what was anciently called "selective pardon" — i.e., partial pardon) of war criminals who have truly repented and reformed, as well as ordinary criminals currently serving sentences. If we proceed with this, with only some thirty days left before National Day, will there be sufficient time to complete the necessary reviews? Alternatively, we could not rush for National Day and handle it sometime in the autumn, while still invoking the name of the tenth National Day. Whether this matter is feasible — please also convene a discussion with the relevant comrades.
I can return by the end of the month.

Mao Zedong
August 24, Hangzhou

To the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress:

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China proposes to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress: In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the great People’s Republic of China, a special pardon be granted to a group of war criminals, counter-revolutionary criminals, and ordinary criminals who have genuinely repented and reformed.

Our country’s socialist revolution and socialist construction have achieved great victories. Our motherland is thriving, production and construction are flourishing, and the people’s living standards are improving daily. The regime of the people’s democratic dictatorship is unprecedentedly consolidated and strong. The political consciousness and organizational level of the people across the nation have reached unprecedented heights. The political and economic situation of the state is extremely favorable. The policy implemented by the Party and the People’s Government — combining punishment with leniency, and labor reform with ideological education — has already yielded tremendous results in dealing with counter-revolutionaries and other criminals. The majority of the various criminals in custody have undergone reform to varying degrees, and many have indeed repented and reformed. In light of this situation, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China deems it appropriate, on the occasion of celebrating the tenth anniversary of the founding of the great People’s Republic of China, to proclaim a special pardon for a group of war criminals, counter-revolutionary criminals, and ordinary criminals who have genuinely repented and reformed. Adopting this measure will further help to transform negative factors into positive ones, and will have a significant educational impact on these criminals and other prisoners in continuing their reform. It will make them feel that under our great socialist system, as long as they repent and reform, they each have a future ahead of them.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China requests the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to consider the above proposal and to adopt a corresponding resolution.\[1\]

Mao Zedong
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
September 14, 1959

\[1\] The Ninth Meeting of the Second Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the "Decision on Granting Special Pardons to Criminals Who Have Genuinely Repented and Reformed" on September 17, 1959. On the same day, Liu Shaoqi issued the "Order of Special Pardon by the President of the People’s Republic of China," and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the "Directive on Granting Special Pardons to Criminals.

--- Notes

This piece consists of two parts: the first is Mao Zedong’s letter to Liu Shaoqi regarding the gradual, batch-by-batch removal of Rightist labels and the pardoning of a group of war criminals who have truly repented and reformed, as well as ordinary criminals currently serving sentences. The second is Mao Zedong’s written proposal on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, recommending a special pardon for a group of war criminals, counter-revolutionary criminals, and ordinary criminals who have genuinely repented and reformed. It was published in the *People’s Daily* on September 18, 1959, under the original title “Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.”

\[2\] Yang Shangkui, then First Secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Suggestion on the Gradual, Batch-by-Batch Removal of Rightist Labels and Pardoning of a Group of Criminals