Presidential Documents

78149 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 239 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 

Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights 

Week, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More than 60 years later, the Declaration reflects 

the world’s commitment to the idea that ‘‘all human beings are born free 

and equal in dignity and rights.’’ As Americans, this self-evident truth lies 

at the heart of our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and our 

Bill of Rights. It is a belief that, while every nation pursues a path rooted 

in the culture of its own citizens, certain rights belong to all people: freedom 

to live as they choose, to speak openly, to organize peacefully, to worship 

freely, and to participate fully in the public life of their society with confidence in the rule of law. 

Freedom, justice, and peace for the world must begin with basic security 

and liberty in the lives of individual human beings. Today, we continue 

the fight to make universal human rights a reality for every person, regardless 

of race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or circumstance. 

From the freedom to associate or criticize to the protection from violence 

or unlawful detention, these inherent civil rights are a matter of both pragmatic and moral necessity. 

The challenges of a new century call for a world that is more purposeful 

and more united. The United States will always speak for those who are 

voiceless, defend those who are oppressed, and bear witness to those who 

want nothing more than to exercise their universal human rights. Our Bill 

of Rights protects these fundamental values at home, and guides our actions 

as we stand with those who seek to exercise their universal rights, wherever 

they live. Countries whose people choose their leaders and rely on the 

rule of law are more likely to be peaceful neighbors and prosperous partners 

in the world community. 

Part of the price of our own blessings of freedom is standing up for the 

liberty of others. As we observe Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, 

and Human Rights Week, let us recommit to advancing human rights as 

our common cause and moral imperative. Let us continue to stand with 

citizens, activists, and governments around the world who embrace democratic reforms and empower free expression. Together, we can advance the 

arc of human progress toward a more perfect Union and a more perfect 

world—one in which each human being lives with dignity, security, and 

equality. 

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, 2010, 

as Human Rights Day; December 15, 2010, as Bill of Rights Day; and the 

week beginning December 10, 2010, as Human Rights Week. I call upon 

the people of the United States to mark these observances with appropriate 

ceremonies and activities. 


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78150 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 14, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 

December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–31566 

Filed 12–13–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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