[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 38535-38536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15686]



[[Page 38533]]

Vol. 86

Wednesday,

No. 137

July 21, 2021

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 10233--Captive Nations Week, 2021
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 137 / Wednesday, July 21, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 10233 of July 16, 2021

                
Captive Nations Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From the founding of our Nation to today, through the 
                crucibles of war and the struggle of successive 
                generations, America has strived to uphold the ideals 
                of freedom and democracy upon which our country was 
                built and expand the ability of people around the world 
                to freely exercise their rights. As the world's 
                longest-standing democracy, we carry a special 
                responsibility to lead at home and abroad, not only by 
                the example of our power, but by the power of our 
                example--to prove to ourselves and to the world that 
                democracy can deliver for all people. Though much has 
                changed in the world since President Eisenhower issued 
                the first Captive Nations Proclamation in 1959, its 
                call for liberty and opportunity still ring true. 
                During Captive Nations Week, we recommit ourselves to 
                those principles which form the foundation of our 
                Nation, and to amplify the voices of courageous 
                individuals around the world who are striving to 
                advance the principles of human rights, justice, and 
                the rule of law.

                Today, far too many people are subject to routine 
                abuses of power, as oppressive governments detain, 
                harass, or commit acts of violence against dissenting 
                voices; disseminate disinformation and propaganda; 
                undermine democratic systems; and otherwise violate the 
                public trust. These abuses are not new--but they remain 
                as stern a threat to human rights and freedom as they 
                have ever been.

                No nation or person of conscience can ignore the voices 
                of those crying out for liberty. We hear Belarusians 
                peacefully calling for democratic elections, and the 
                courageous people of Hong Kong demanding the autonomy 
                and liberty promised by Beijing under the Sino-British 
                Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law. We hear 
                millions of Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious 
                minorities in Xinjiang, China, who have been unjustly 
                interned and subject to surveillance and forced labor. 
                We hear the determination of those rejecting military 
                rule in Burma, resisting dictatorship in Venezuela, 
                taking to streets in Cuba to demand freedom in the face 
                of brutal state repression, and pressing for free and 
                fair elections in Nicaragua--as well as the Crimean 
                Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and other ethnic and 
                religious minorities who suffer repression for opposing 
                Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea.

                The American creed, which defines our Nation, proclaims 
                that all people are created equal, and deserve to be 
                treated equally, with dignity and respect, throughout 
                their lives. We stand in solidarity with the brave 
                human rights activists and pro-democracy advocates 
                around the world who risk their lives for the rights of 
                others. We are committed to ensuring that all those who 
                are oppressed across the globe--including people with 
                disabilities, women and girls, members of the LGBTQI+ 
                community, indigenous populations, and racial and 
                ethnic minorities--are heard, respected, and protected.

                During Captive Nations Week, we recommit ourselves to 
                the timeless, vital work of advancing freedom and 
                justice for all.

                We do that by forging a more equitable and inclusive 
                society, by solving problems and helping to ease the 
                burdens people face, and by fulfilling our role as a 
                global leader for human rights and fundamental freedoms

[[Page 38536]]

                of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and 
                religion or belief. Together with our allies and 
                partners, we must continue to strengthen democratic 
                institutions, defend independent civil society and 
                media freedom, promote free and fair elections, protect 
                human rights online, insist on accountability for those 
                who commit abuses and foster cultures of corruption, 
                and push back against authoritarianism around the 
                world.

                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, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 
                18 through July 24, 2021, as Captive Nations Week. I 
                call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to 
                championing those around the world who strive for 
                liberty and justice for all.

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

[FR Doc. 2021-15686
Filed 7-20-21; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P