[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 240 (Thursday, December 12, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65455-65456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31795]
[[Page 65453]]
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Part IV
The President
_______________________________________________________________________
Proclamation 6964--Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human
Rights Week
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 240 / Thursday, December 12, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 65455]]
Proclamation 6964 of December 10, 1996
Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human
Rights Week
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.
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.
[[Page 65456]]
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.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 96-31795
Filed 12-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
