[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 77565-77566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31582]



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Vol. 80

Monday,

No. 239

December 14, 2015

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9380--Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2015
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 239 / Monday, December 14, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 9380 of December 9, 2015

                
Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Sixty-seven years ago, the leaders of 48 countries from 
                around the world declared with one voice that progress 
                depends on defending human rights, and that a nation is 
                strongest when the contributions of its whole citizenry 
                are valued. Today, we celebrate the Universal 
                Declaration of Human Rights--a milestone in our ongoing 
                global march to uphold the inherent dignity and worth 
                of every person. To honor the legacy of this historic 
                document and to help ensure that its ideals endure for 
                generations to come, we reaffirm our commitment to 
                upholding the freedoms it safeguards, which are the 
                birthright of all humanity.

                When rights are suppressed, human potential is stifled. 
                A nation draws upon new talents and ideas when 
                opposition parties are fairly represented and those in 
                power are accountable to their citizens at the ballot 
                box. A free and independent press and a vibrant civil 
                society can inform the public, expose corruption, and 
                empower citizens to participate in self-governance. And 
                when institutions are built to protect rights and 
                freedoms, rather than serve the interests of those in 
                power, those institutions can provide the stable 
                foundation for stability needed for future generations 
                to thrive.

                In too many places around the world we see rights and 
                freedoms denied. People are imprisoned for peaceful 
                worship and girls are barred from attending school. 
                LGBT individuals are subject to abuse because of who 
                they are and who they love, and citizens are prevented 
                from petitioning those in power for change. The United 
                States of America stands in solidarity with those 
                seeking to realize a brighter and freer future for 
                themselves and their families, whether in their home 
                country or as immigrants in a new land. We will 
                continue to lift up the lives of all who yearn to 
                exercise their inherent human rights and to shine a 
                light on those still living in the darkest pockets of 
                our world.

                The strongmen of today will never extinguish the hope 
                that persists around the world. Dissenters may be 
                jailed, but ideas can never be imprisoned. Controlling 
                access to information will not turn lies into truths, 
                nor will it deter the longing for justice that stirs in 
                every human soul. And refusing to recognize the basic 
                dignity of every man, woman, and child--regardless of 
                gender, background, race, ethnicity, sexual 
                orientation, or belief--will only lend further momentum 
                to the quest for equality that for generations has 
                stirred hearts and spurred action. On this day, and 
                every day, let us remember our roots as one human 
                family, forever dedicated to upholding the central 
                tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

                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 10, 2015, as 
                Human Rights Day and the week beginning December 10, 
                2015, as Human Rights Week. I call upon the people of 
                the United States to mark these observances with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth 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. 2015-31582
Filed 12-11-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P