[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 141 (Thursday, July 23, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 39475-39476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19907]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 141 / Thursday, July 23, 1998 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 39475]]
Proclamation 7109 of July 20, 1998
Captive Nations Week, 1998
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Freedom, dignity, equality, and justice: these are
words sacred to the American people. They define our
lives as citizens of a democratic Nation, and they sum
up our hopes for all the peoples of the world. More
than 2 centuries ago, our founders articulated these
fundamental human rights in the Declaration of
Independence, proclaiming the truth of human dignity
and the idea that governments derive their power and
legitimacy from the consent of the people they serve.
We reaffirmed these convictions with the ratification
of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And 50
years ago, more than four dozen nations joined us in
championing these rights and liberties across the globe
by adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which the United Nations General Assembly passed
unanimously in December of 1948.
Over the course of the last half-century, the Universal
Declaration's call to ``expand the circle of full human
dignity to all people'' has been a wellspring of
inspiration. The Declaration has served as a framework
for laws, constitutions, and other important efforts to
safeguard basic liberties, as well as a yardstick for
measuring progress. However, while democracy continues
to grow and flourish around the world and millions
enjoy fundamental human rights unencumbered by tyranny
or restraint, the shadow of oppression still lingers.
The last decade has seen a remarkable transformation.
The courage, strength, and determination of men and
women struggling for liberty have changed the political
landscape of the world. Democracy has blossomed and
deepened its roots in many countries, particularly in
Central and Eastern Europe and the nations of the
former Soviet Union. But, the process of building
democracy and strengthening civil society in these
nations is far from complete. Moreover, there are
countries in Europe and elsewhere where democracy is
actively being undermined by authoritarian rule and
disrespect for the rule of law. In these regions around
the world, people are denied the right to worship
freely, speak their thoughts openly, or live without
fear of sudden arrest, arbitrary imprisonment, or
brutal treatment. The rulers of these captive nations,
in denying the tide of freedom rising across the globe,
have positioned themselves on the wrong side of
history.
This year marks the 40th observance of Captive Nations
Week. For four decades these proclamations have served
to express America's solidarity with people suffering
under communist and other oppressive rule around the
world. It is important that we continue to mark this
annual observance as a reminder that building and
nurturing democracy is an enduring struggle while there
are still people in various parts of the world who are
captives of tyranny.
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 in July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''
[[Page 39476]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 19
through July 25, 1998, as Captive Nations Week. I call
upon the people of the United States to observe this
week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to
rededicate ourselves to supporting the cause of
freedom, human rights, and self-determination for all
the peoples of the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 98-19907
Filed 7-22-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
