[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 44449-44450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16035]



[[Page 44447]]

Vol. 85

Wednesday,

No. 141

July 22, 2020

Part III





The President





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Proclamation 10056--Captive Nations Week, 2020
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 141 / Wednesday, July 22, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 44449]]

                Proclamation 10056 of July 17, 2020

                
Captive Nations Week, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Tragically, hundreds of millions of people around the 
                world continue to suffer under repressive regimes. 
                During Captive Nations Week, we condemn the cold grip 
                of tyranny that holds nations under unjust rule, and we 
                reaffirm our commitment to all who are fighting to 
                overcome oppression. We renew our deep devotion to the 
                principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law, 
                and we know the United States will continue to shine as 
                an unparalleled example for all nations.

                President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive 
                Nations Week in 1959 to declare our Nation's steadfast 
                support for people throughout the world who are denied 
                fundamental rights by their governments. The belief 
                that a just government's powers are derived from the 
                consent of the governed is sacrosanct in our country, 
                but it is not shared universally. In many countries, 
                citizens who peacefully speak their views, practice 
                their religion, or strive to hold their governments 
                accountable for abuses experience reckless disregard 
                for their rights. Recently, authoritarian regimes have 
                used the coronavirus pandemic to justify increased 
                restrictions on individual human rights. These regimes 
                have suppressed the free flow of timely and accurate 
                information about the pandemic by censoring or 
                imprisoning people who dare to share unapproved 
                information or opinions. The most notable example today 
                is China, where the virus originated and government 
                suppression led directly to this global pandemic. In 
                addition, the Chinese government has seized upon this 
                opportunity to snuff out freedom in Hong Kong, which 
                had been the only bastion of liberty in that captive 
                nation.

                The United States encourages all nations to respect 
                individual liberty, uphold the rule of law, and be 
                accountable to their people through consent-based 
                governments. Authoritarian regimes that do not respect 
                the inherent dignity of every individual hold the 
                dreams and potential of their people captive, enabling 
                poverty, repression, and anguish to flourish as they 
                deny their people their God-given rights. We will never 
                waver in our firm belief that liberty, justice, and the 
                rule of law unleash the fullness of life that God 
                intended for everyone. This week and always, we stand 
                with all people who yearn to live freely, securely, and 
                prosperously under rights-respecting, transparent, and 
                accountable governments rooted in the consent of the 
                governed.

                The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 
                1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the 
                President to issue a proclamation designating the third 
                week of July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 July 19 through July 
                25, 2020, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon all 
                Americans to reaffirm our commitment to supporting 
                those around the world striving for liberty, justice, 
                and the rule of law.

[[Page 44450]]

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

[FR Doc. 2020-16035
Filed 7-21-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P