The Chinese government has granted amnesty to over 31,000 prisoners, according to an official statement released on Monday.

The amnesty deal, adopted by the country's top legislature and approved by President Xi Jinping, released a total of 31,527 prisoners who were mostly juvenile when they were detained. The pact was signed on August 29, 2015. All the pardoned prisoners - including war veterans (young and old ones) were released by the end of the year last year.

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According to the amnesty deal, four categories of prisoners were given pardon: (1) those who fought against the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the civil war against the Kuomintang; (2) those who participated in wars to uphold national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity after 1949, but those who were guilty of serious crimes like graft, organized crime and terrorism as well as repeat offenders were exempted; (3) those aged 75 years and above and who are suffering from a physical disability, making them unable to do self-care; and (4) those who committed crimes under 18 years old and have received the maximum three years in prison sentence, or have less than a year to serve, but those convicted of rape, homicide, narcotic offences and terrorism were exempted.

Of the total number of prisoners released, the first category had 50 recipients, the second had 1,428, third had 122 and the fourth had 29,927. 

With such a huge number to be released, the judicial bodies as well as courts and prison officers all exerted effort to review the prisoners' criminal records, examine judgments and ensure the identities of the said prisoners.

The amnesty is in line with the Criminal Law 2011 that permits leniency in punishing the elderly. Since 1949, this is the eighth amnesty granted by the Chinese government. The move symbolizes "the spirit of the rule of law and humanity." 

Prisoners released without employment, who are unable to work, or who are without a source of income or anyone to support them will be given basic living allowances.

Tagsamnesty deal, china, pardon