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DECLARATION ON GERMAN
ATROCITIES [Moscow Declaration] Released November
1, 1943 |
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THE UNITED KINGDOM, the United States and the
Soviet Union have received from many quarters evidence of atrocities, massacres
and cold-blooded mass executions which are being perpetrated by the Hitlerite
forces in the many countries they have overrun and from which they are now
being steadily expelled. The brutalities of Hitlerite domination are no new
thing and all the peoples or territories in their grip have suffered from the
worst form of government by terror. What is new is that many of these
territories are now being redeemed by the advancing armies of the liberating
Powers and that in their desperation, the recoiling Hitlerite Huns are
redoubling their ruthless cruelties. This is now evidenced with particular
clearness by monstrous crimes of the Hitlerites on the territory of the Soviet
Union which is being liberated from the Hitlerites, and on French and Italian
territory.
Accordingly, the aforesaid three allied Powers, speaking in
the interests of the thirty-two [thirty-three] United Nations, hereby solemnly
declare and give full warning of their declaration as follows:
At the
time of the granting of any armistice to any government which may be set up in
Germany, those German officers and men and members of the Nazi party who have
been responsible for, or have taken a consenting part in the above atrocities,
massacres, and executions, will be sent back to the countries in which their
abominable deeds were done in order that they may be judged and punished
according to the laws of these liberated countries and of the free governments
which will be created therein. Lists will be compiled in all possible detail
from all these countries having regard especially to the invaded parts of the
Soviet Union, to Poland and Czechoslovakia, to Yugoslavia and Greece, including
Crete and other islands, to Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxemburg, France and Italy.
Thus, the Germans who take part in
wholesale shootings of Italian officers or in the execution of French, Dutch,
Belgian, or Norwegian hostages or of Cretan peasants, or who have shared in the
slaughters inflicted on the people of Poland or in territories of the Soviet
Union which are now being swept clear of the enemy, will know that they will be
brought back to the scene of their crimes and judged on the spot by the peoples
whom they have outraged. Let those who have hitherto not imbrued their hands
with innocent blood beware lest they join the ranks of the guilty, for most
assuredly the three allied Powers will pursue them to the uttermost ends of the
earth and will deliver them to their accusers in order that justice may be
done.
The above declaration is without prejudice to the case of the
major criminals, whose offences have no particular geographical localisation
and who will be punished by the joint decision of the Governments of the
Allies. |
[Signed] |
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Roosevelt Churchill
Stalin |
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X |