[Moscow Declaration]
Released November 1, 1943
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]
Roosevelt
Churchill
Stalin