[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 234 (Monday, December 7, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76197-76198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30965]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 234 / Monday, December 7, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 76197]]


                Proclamation 9375 of December 2, 2015

                
Helsinki Human Rights Day, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Four decades ago, the leaders of the United States, 
                Canada, the Soviet Union, and countries from across a 
                divided Europe came together to sign the Helsinki Final 
                Act--a document reflecting the conviction that the 
                security of states is inextricably linked to the 
                security of their citizens' rights. This comprehensive 
                security concept is forever enshrined in the Act and is 
                mirrored in the subsequent statements and commitments 
                made by the members of the Organization for Security 
                and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Today, the Act 
                continues to shine as a beacon for all who reach, often 
                at great risk to themselves, for human dignity, for 
                justice and tolerance, and for democratic ideals--
                including the notions that power is derived from the 
                consent of the governed and that human rights and 
                fundamental freedoms belong to all of us--no matter 
                where we live or where we come from. On Helsinki Human 
                Rights Day, we pledge our cooperation and mutual 
                respect as we work to fulfill the commitments made in 
                the Helsinki Final Act.

                The 57 OSCE states that stretch across North America, 
                Europe, and Eurasia stand stronger when we stand 
                together, and we must defend and uphold the commitments 
                made in Helsinki 40 years ago. Recognition of the 
                inherent dignity and human rights of every person, 
                respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity 
                of states, and restraint from the threat or use of 
                force are essential to safeguarding a Europe and a 
                Eurasia that are whole, free, and at peace. As the OSCE 
                Ministerial Council convenes in Belgrade, Serbia, the 
                United States renews its commitment to these principles 
                and urges other member states to do the same.

                Thanks to the work of governments and the contributions 
                of civil society, we have made historic progress to 
                advance security, democracy, and human rights across 
                the OSCE region in the last four decades. Still, we 
                face significant challenges. Russian aggression against 
                its neighbors, most recently Ukraine, is contrary to 
                the principles of respect for each nation's sovereignty 
                and territorial integrity laid out in the Helsinki 
                Final Act. The ability of citizens to exercise their 
                fundamental freedoms of association, expression, and 
                peaceful assembly is increasingly constricted in a 
                number of participating states. Actions based on hate 
                and prejudice remain prevalent in too many states and 
                are too often still reflected in national policy. These 
                attitudes will continue to obstruct democracy's success 
                until we root them out from both our institutions and 
                our hearts. The United States strongly condemns the 
                heinous terrorist attacks in Ankara, as well as the 
                bombing of the Russian plane in Egypt. And in the wake 
                of the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, we recommit 
                to our fight against terrorism and violent extremism 
                while reaffirming our adherence to our common ideals 
                with the French people and with any free society, 
                similar to those delineated in the Helsinki Final Act: 
                libert[eacute], [eacute]galit[eacute], and 
                fraternit[eacute].

                The Helsinki Final Act inspires our vision for 
                democracy, human rights, and human dignity. It inspires 
                a vision for open economies and shared prosperity, and 
                a world in which states resolve disputes peacefully and 
                work together to build and maintain trust. It is a 
                framework that, if its

[[Page 76198]]

                commitments are upheld, can enable us to move beyond 
                division and prejudice and toward a more democratic, 
                prosperous, and peaceful OSCE region. Let us resolve to 
                stand with victims of oppression and with all who yearn 
                to exercise their human rights. Together, we can 
                faithfully implement our shared Helsinki commitments 
                and help forge an ever better future for all.

                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 3, 2015, as 
                Helsinki Human Rights Day. I call upon all the people 
                of the United States to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities reflecting our 
                steadfast dedication to human rights and democratic 
                values. I also call upon the governments and peoples of 
                all other signatory states to renew their commitment to 
                comply with the principles established and consecrated 
                in the Helsinki Final Act.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of December, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-30965
Filed 12-4-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P