Comments on the Report of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Public Security Requesting Approval of the Second Batch of Lists for Amnesty and Sentence Reductions Among War Criminals (October 20, 1960)

This document [1] is hereby sent to Comrades Shaoqi and Fuchun [2] for their review; after being approved by the Secretariat, it is to be implemented as written. Mao Zedong, October 20th.

Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Refers to the report submitted by the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Public Security to the CPC Central Committee on October 17, 1960. The report states that following the first batch of amnestied war criminals, educational efforts focused on “transforming evil into good” were carried out among those still detained, resulting in positive changes for the majority. In accordance with the Central Committee’s directive to grant amnesty to a group of war criminals each year, it was deemed appropriate to increase this year’s quota slightly over last year’s, proposing fifty individuals—seventeen more than the previous year. Simultaneously, in order to better facilitate the reformation of convicted war criminals and to lay the necessary groundwork for future amnesties, a list of twenty-one persons recommended for sentence reduction was also put forward. As for the placement of those granted amnesty, the principle adopted last year will remain in effect: all who have homes will be released to return home, while those without fixed abodes will not be immediately assigned employment but will instead receive immediate arrangements for their living needs. Going forward, every war criminal released should have their living conditions properly arranged, receive necessary and appropriate care, and be placed under the responsibility of designated personnel for education and management, so as to further promote their rehabilitation. [ ] Fuchun refers to Li Fuchun, who at that time served as a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, and Vice Premier of the State Council.