[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9553 of December 9, 2016

Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December
10, 1948, it set in motion a movement to secure liberty and justice for
all people. Out of the ashes of the Second World War, the United Nations
General Assembly proclaimed that ``All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights.'' On Human Rights Day and during Human
Rights Week, we reflect on how far we have come in upholding these
universal rights and resolve to continue fighting to safeguard them
wherever they are threatened.
In the last few decades, our world has made great strides in advancing
human rights and the institutions that protect them. More countries have
pursued self-government and democracy--and more people are electing
their leaders freely and fairly and holding their governments
accountable through calls for increased transparency. Around the world,
the United States has promoted freedom: We have worked to expand the
protection of human rights, end gender-based violence, and defend the
freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and the press. In promoting
these liberties and pushing back against tyranny, corruption, and
oppression, we have recognized that universal human rights and
fundamental freedoms do not stop at our borders. They are the birthright
of people everywhere.
History ultimately moves in the direction of justice and inclusion, but
despite the great progress we have made, unprecedented and rapid change
has posed great challenges. It is our collective duty to continue
striving for a world where nobody is left behind, forgotten, or
mistreated, and where all nations recognize that societies that draw on
the contributions of every citizen are stronger. Far too many people
around the world are still denied their human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and we must work to end the discrimination that is too often
felt by LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, women
and girls of all ages, and members of religious, ethnic, and other
minorities. And we must strengthen our ongoing efforts to rid the world
of violence, oppression, and hatred.
Our relationships to one another--person to person, nation to nation--
are defined not by our differences, but by our shared belief in the

[[Page 3434]]

ideals enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As we
observe the anniversary of the affirmation that inalienable rights exist
for every individual, we vow to ensure these rights are afforded to
every person. Together, let us continue striving to stamp out all forms
of injustice and promote dignity, humanity, and respect around the
world.
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, 2016, as
Human Rights Day and the week beginning December 10, 2016, 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 sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
BARACK OBAMA