[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 75615-75616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30584]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 232 / Friday, December 3, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 75615]]


                Proclamation 8608 of November 30, 2010

                
Helsinki Human Rights Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Helsinki 
                Final Act, a seminal document tying lasting security 
                among states with respect for human rights and 
                fundamental freedoms within states. With the signing of 
                the Act on August 1, 1975, the United States, Canada, 
                the Soviet Union, and the countries of a divided Europe 
                solemnly pledged to work together to realize 
                comprehensive security across the European continent. 
                This occasion also spurred courageous human rights 
                activists in Eastern Europe to form citizens' groups to 
                press for the implementation of commitments their 
                governments had made, launching the Helsinki movement.

                The guiding principles set forth 35 years ago in the 
                Helsinki Final Act, now institutionalized in the 
                Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 
                (OSCE), still serve as a beacon to all who strive for 
                freedom and peace across the Euro-Atlantic region. On 
                this day, we reaffirm our sincere belief that security 
                is indivisible, and must be rooted in confidence, 
                cooperation, transparency, and respect for human rights 
                and fundamental freedoms. We also recommit to calling 
                on fellow participating states to reexamine their 
                compliance with their OSCE commitments.

                The Helsinki Final Act, with its affirmation of 
                fundamental human rights, inspired many who struggled 
                against repressive regimes and for human dignity. 
                Today, a new generation of brave women and men work 
                tirelessly--often risking their lives--to realize those 
                same rights. We stand with them and with all who 
                advocate for the rights of their fellow citizens and 
                for the betterment of their societies.

                Together, we will ensure the United States continues to 
                serve as an example in both word and deed to the 
                Helsinki principles. As President Gerald Ford said to 
                his fellow signatories at the signing of the Helsinki 
                Final Act, history will judge us ``not by the promises 
                we make, but by the promises we keep.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2010, as 
                Helsinki Human Rights Day. I call upon all the people 
                of the United States to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 75616]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-30584
Filed 12-2-10; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P