[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 15, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 71127-71128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27284]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 15, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 71127]]

                Proclamation 10321 of December 9, 2021

                
Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the wake of the devastation of the Second World War, 
                leaders from around the world came together with a 
                shared vision to promote a safer future for all nations 
                by securing and advancing the human rights of everyone, 
                everywhere. On December 10, 1948, thanks to the moral 
                leadership and service of Eleanor Roosevelt as the 
                first Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, 
                the world took an enormous step forward with the 
                creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
                (UDHR).

                The UDHR enshrines the human rights and fundamental 
                freedoms inherent in all people--no matter who they 
                are, where they come from, or whom they love. It is a 
                foundational document that proclaims a truth too often 
                overlooked or ignored--that ``all human beings are born 
                free and equal in dignity and rights.'' From the root 
                of this universal ideal has sprung transformational 
                human rights treaties and a global commitment to 
                advance equality and dignity for all as the foundation 
                of freedom, peace, and justice. As a world, we have yet 
                to achieve this goal, and we must continue our efforts 
                to bend the arc of history closer to justice and the 
                shared values that the UDHR enshrines. Just as we 
                advocated for the recognition of universal human rights 
                following World War II, the United States today remains 
                steadfast in our commitment to advancing the human 
                rights of all people--and to leading not by the example 
                of our power but by the power of our example.

                Since taking office, my Administration has put human 
                rights at the center of our domestic and foreign policy 
                priorities. We immediately declared our intention to 
                rejoin the United Nations Human Rights Council, and 
                with the widespread support of the international 
                community, our Nation was elected to a new term 
                beginning on January 1, 2022. As a member of the 
                Council, we will highlight the vital importance of 
                democracy as we work to protect human rights and hold 
                accountable those who would violate these rights and 
                freedoms. We will continue to call out human rights 
                violations wherever they occur, support brave activists 
                on the front lines of protecting fundamental freedoms, 
                and invest in strengthening the rule of law.

                As a global champion for democracy, we must also 
                continue the unceasing work of strengthening our own 
                democracy and building a more perfect union. Leading by 
                example is one of the most powerful and persuasive 
                foreign policy tools at our disposal. From day one of 
                my Administration, we have taken concrete steps to 
                reassert our moral leadership on the global stage. On 
                my first day in office, I signed an Executive Order to 
                advance racial equity and support for underserved 
                communities. As part of our once-in-a-generation 
                investment in our Nation's physical infrastructure, we 
                are also strengthening equitable access to our shared 
                resources and environment, including providing 
                additional support for historically underserved 
                communities.

                Unfortunately, discrimination and violence are 
                challenges that too many Americans still face in their 
                own communities. Throughout our Nation's history, 
                generations of Black and Brown Americans, Indigenous 
                persons,

[[Page 71128]]

                people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ Americans, immigrants, 
                women and girls, and members of religious, ethnic, and 
                other historically marginalized groups have faced 
                heightened threats to their human rights and dignity. 
                Today, we know that our efforts to defend human rights 
                around the world are stronger because we acknowledge 
                and seek to remedy our own historical challenges as 
                part of that same fight. Leading by example means 
                speaking honestly about the past, upholding the truth, 
                and striving constantly to improve.

                This year, as we commemorate Human Rights Day, my 
                Administration will bring together global leaders, 
                civil society organizations, and representatives from 
                the private sector for the first Summit for Democracy. 
                Working together, we will recommit ourselves to 
                promoting respect for human rights and combating 
                growing threats to democracy, including 
                authoritarianism and corruption. We will speak honestly 
                about the challenges we face, and we will identify 
                meaningful new actions and commitments to advance our 
                shared goals.

                I call upon all Americans to keep the words of the 
                Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in their hearts: 
                ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice 
                everywhere.'' Let us all dedicate ourselves to bringing 
                our Nation and our world closer to a future in which 
                every human being is free to pursue their highest 
                dreams and unleash their full potential.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 
                2021, as Human Rights Day and the week beginning 
                December 10, 2021, as Human Rights Week. I call upon 
                the people of the United States to mark these 
                observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of December, 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. 2021-27284
Filed 12-14-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P