Presidential Documents

39475

Federal Register

Vol. 63, No. 141

Thursday, July 23, 1998

Title 3—

The President

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.’’
39476 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 141 / Thursday, July 23, 1998 / Presidential Documents

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

[FR Doc. 98–19907

Filed 7–22–98; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-third.

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