[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 240 (Thursday, December 12, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65455-65456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31795]



[[Page 65453]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 6964--Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human 
Rights Week
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 240 / Thursday, December 12, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 65455]]

                Proclamation 6964 of December 10, 1996

                
Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human 
                Rights Week

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                When America's founders crafted the Constitution and 
                Bill of Rights more than two centuries ago, they not 
                only created a blueprint for the conduct of American 
                government, but they also gave expression to a vision 
                of human dignity that inspires people to this day the 
                world over. Our Nation's commitment to the freedoms 
                enumerated in the Bill of Rights--among them freedom of 
                speech, religion, and assembly, and the right to due 
                process and a fair trial--serves as a beacon of hope to 
                oppressed peoples everywhere.

                Americans continue to work to improve our application 
                of equality under the law for all our own citizens, as 
                we believe that freedom and justice are the birthright 
                of humankind. We are also working daily to foster and 
                promote the growth of these rights in other countries. 
                Indeed, the championing of democracy and human rights 
                serves as a cornerstone of my Administration's foreign 
                policy.

                As we observe Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and 
                Human Rights Week, we can take satisfaction in our 
                progress in advancing human rights around the world in 
                the past decade. In fact, more than half the people in 
                the world now live under democratic political systems. 
                Even in countries still struggling to establish basic 
                human rights and freedoms, we are seeing some progress. 
                And brave reformers such as Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma 
                continue to press their rightful demand for freedom.

                It is also encouraging that, with the growth and 
                development of the human rights movement, there has 
                been greater awareness and appreciation that women's 
                rights are human rights.

                Just over a year ago, representatives from 189 
                countries met in Beijing at the United Nations Fourth 
                World Conference on Women. That historic gathering 
                focused the attention of the world on women's rights 
                and needs. Now, we are beginning to see some progress. 
                In many countries, increasing numbers of women are 
                contesting and attaining public office and playing a 
                vital role in shaping the political agenda. In Romania, 
                women gathered from around Central and Eastern Europe 
                to promote the goals of the Beijing women's conference. 
                Thailand has passed a new anti-prostitution law. Women 
                in Namibia are now afforded equal rights with men in 
                marriage. Chile has made a serious commitment to 
                expanding educational opportunities for girls. And in 
                the United States, the Violent Crime Control and Law 
                Enforcement Act, that I signed into law in September of 
                1994, reflects our profound national commitment to 
                ending abuse against women. These are just a few 
                hopeful signs of improvement in global respect for 
                women's rights, and it is fitting that we celebrate 
                them.

[[Page 65456]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim December 10, 1996, as Human 
                Rights Day; December 15, 1996, as Bill of Rights Day; 
                and the week beginning December 10, 1996, as Human 
                Rights Week. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to celebrate these observances with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities that demonstrate 
                our national commitment to the Constitution and the 
                promotion of human rights for all people.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
                first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-31795
Filed 12-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P