[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 50 (Monday, December 16, 1996)]
[Pages 2478-2479]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6964--Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human 
Rights Week

December 10, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    When America's founders crafted the Constitution and Bill of Rights 
more than two centuries ago, they not only created a blueprint for the 
conduct of American government, but they also gave expression to a 
vision of human dignity that inspires people to this day the world over. 
Our Nation's commitment to the freedoms enumerated in the Bill of 
Rights--among them freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and the 
right to due process and a fair trial--serves as a beacon of hope to 
oppressed peoples everywhere.
    Americans continue to work to improve our application of equality 
under the law for all our own citizens, as we believe that freedom and 
justice are the birthright of humankind. We are also working daily to 
foster and promote the growth of these rights in other countries. 
Indeed, the championing of democracy and human rights serves as a 
cornerstone of my Administration's foreign policy.
    As we observe Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights 
Week, we can take satisfaction in our progress in advancing human rights 
around the world in the past decade. In fact, more than half the people 
in the world now live under democratic political systems. Even in 
countries still struggling to establish basic human rights and freedoms, 
we are seeing some progress. And brave reformers such as Aung San Suu 
Kyi of Burma continue to press their rightful demand for freedom.
    It is also encouraging that, with the growth and development of the 
human rights movement, there has been greater awareness and appreciation 
that women's rights are human rights.

[[Page 2479]]

    Just over a year ago, representatives from 189 countries met in 
Beijing at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. That 
historic gathering focused the attention of the world on women's rights 
and needs. Now, we are beginning to see some progress. In many 
countries, increasing numbers of women are contesting and attaining 
public office and playing a vital role in shaping the political agenda. 
In Romania, women gathered from around Central and Eastern Europe to 
promote the goals of the Beijing women's conference. Thailand has passed 
a new anti-prostitution law. Women in Namibia are now afforded equal 
rights with men in marriage. Chile has made a serious commitment to 
expanding educational opportunities for girls. And in the United States, 
the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, that I signed into 
law in September of 1994, reflects our profound national commitment to 
ending abuse against women. These are just a few hopeful signs of 
improvement in global respect for women's rights, and it is fitting that 
we celebrate them.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 
10, 1996, as Human Rights Day; December 15, 1996, as Bill of Rights Day; 
and the week beginning December 10, 1996, as Human Rights Week. I call 
upon the people of the United States to celebrate these observances with 
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that demonstrate our 
national commitment to the Constitution and the promotion of human 
rights for all people.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 11, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 12.