Presidential Documents

38535 

Federal Register 

Vol. 86, No. 137 

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10233 of July 16, 2021 

Captive Nations Week, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

From the founding of our Nation to today, through the crucibles of war 

and the struggle of successive generations, America has strived to uphold 

the ideals of freedom and democracy upon which our country was built 

and expand the ability of people around the world to freely exercise their 

rights. As the world’s longest-standing democracy, we carry a special responsibility to lead at home and abroad, not only by the example of our power, 

but by the power of our example—to prove to ourselves and to the world 

that democracy can deliver for all people. Though much has changed in 

the world since President Eisenhower issued the first Captive Nations Proclamation in 1959, its call for liberty and opportunity still ring true. During 

Captive Nations Week, we recommit ourselves to those principles which 

form the foundation of our Nation, and to amplify the voices of courageous 

individuals around the world who are striving to advance the principles 

of human rights, justice, and the rule of law. 

Today, far too many people are subject to routine abuses of power, as 

oppressive governments detain, harass, or commit acts of violence against 

dissenting voices; disseminate disinformation and propaganda; undermine 

democratic systems; and otherwise violate the public trust. These abuses 

are not new—but they remain as stern a threat to human rights and freedom 

as they have ever been. 

No nation or person of conscience can ignore the voices of those crying 

out for liberty. We hear Belarusians peacefully calling for democratic elections, and the courageous people of Hong Kong demanding the autonomy 

and liberty promised by Beijing under the Sino-British Joint Declaration 

and Hong Kong’s Basic Law. We hear millions of Uyghurs and other ethnic 

and religious minorities in Xinjiang, China, who have been unjustly interned 

and subject to surveillance and forced labor. We hear the determination 

of those rejecting military rule in Burma, resisting dictatorship in Venezuela, 

taking to streets in Cuba to demand freedom in the face of brutal state 

repression, and pressing for free and fair elections in Nicaragua—as well 

as the Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and other ethnic and religious 

minorities who suffer repression for opposing Russia’s illegal occupation 

of Crimea. 

The American creed, which defines our Nation, proclaims that all people 

are created equal, and deserve to be treated equally, with dignity and respect, 

throughout their lives. We stand in solidarity with the brave human rights 

activists and pro-democracy advocates around the world who risk their 

lives for the rights of others. We are committed to ensuring that all those 

who are oppressed across the globe—including people with disabilities, 

women and girls, members of the LGBTQI+ community, indigenous populations, and racial and ethnic minorities—are heard, respected, and protected. 

During Captive Nations Week, we recommit ourselves to the timeless, vital 

work of advancing freedom and justice for all. 

We do that by forging a more equitable and inclusive society, by solving 

problems and helping to ease the burdens people face, and by fulfilling 

our role as a global leader for human rights and fundamental freedoms 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PRESDOC0
38536 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 21, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief. Together 

with our allies and partners, we must continue to strengthen democratic 

institutions, defend independent civil society and media freedom, promote 

free and fair elections, protect human rights online, insist on accountability 

for those who commit abuses and foster cultures of corruption, and push 

back against authoritarianism around the world. 

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 of July of each year as ‘‘Captive Nations Week.’’ 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim July 18 through July 24, 2021, as Captive 

Nations Week. I call upon all Americans to reaffirm our commitment to 

championing those around the world who strive for liberty and justice 

for all. 

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

of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15686 

Filed 7–20–21; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PRESDOC0BIDEN.EPS</GPH>