Presidential Documents

74013 

Federal Register 

Vol. 79, No. 239 

Friday, December 12, 2014 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9219 of December 9, 2014 

Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2014 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On December 10, 1948, nations from six continents came together to adopt 

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This extraordinary document 

affirmed that every individual is born equal with inalienable rights, and 

it is the responsibility of governments to uphold these rights. In more 

than 430 translations, the Declaration recognizes the inherent dignity and 

worth of all people and supports their right to chart their own destinies. 

On the anniversary of this human rights milestone, we join with all those 

who are willing to strive for a brighter future, and together, we continue 

our work to build the world our children deserve. 

The desires for freedom and opportunity are universal, and around the 

world, yearnings for the rule of law and self-determination burn within 

the hearts of all women and men. When people can raise their voices 

and hold their leaders accountable, governments are more responsive and 

more effective. Children who are able to lead healthy lives and pursue 

an education without fear are free to spark progress and contribute to thriving 

communities. And when citizens are empowered to pursue their full measure 

of happiness without restraint, they help ensure that economies grow, stability and prosperity spread, and nations flourish. Protecting human rights 

around the globe extends the promise of democracy and bolsters the values 

that serve as a basis for peace in our world. 

It is our obligation as free peoples to stand with courageous individuals 

who raise their voices to demand universal rights. Under extremely difficult 

circumstances—and often at grave personal risk—brave human rights defenders and civil society activists throughout the world are working to actualize 

the rights and freedoms that are the birthright of all humankind. The United 

States will continue to support all those who champion these fundamental 

principles, and we will never stop speaking out for the human rights of 

all individuals at home and abroad. It is part of who we are as a people 

and what we stand for as a Nation. 

My Administration supports free and fair elections, and we will always 

oppose efforts by foreign governments to restrict the freedoms of peaceful 

assembly, association, and expression. We will continue to defend the rights 

of ethnic and religious minorities, call for the release of all who are unjustly 

detained, and insist that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons 

be treated equally under the law. We will press forward in our efforts 

to end the scourge of human trafficking, our fight to ensure the protection 

of refugees and other displaced persons, and our tireless work to empower 

women and girls worldwide. 

The United States will always lift up those who seek to work for the 

world as it should be. This is part of American leadership. On Human 

Rights Day and during Human Rights Week, let us continue our urgent 

task of rejecting hatred in whatever form it takes and recommit to fostering 

a global community where every person can achieve their dreams and contribute to humankind. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

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74014 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 239 / Friday, December 12, 2014 / Presidential Documents 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 10, 2014, 

as Human Rights Day and the week beginning December 10, 2014, 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 fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyninth. 

[FR Doc. 2014–29400 

Filed 12–11–14; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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