Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2021

Published date15 December 2021
Record Number2021-27284
SectionPresidential Documents
CourtExecutive Office Of The President
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 238 (Wednesday, December 15, 2021)
[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] Presidential Documents
                Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 15, 2021 /
                Presidential Documents
                ___________________________________________________________________
                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
                

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