Presidential Document2021-27284
Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, 2021
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 15, 2021
Signed
December 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 238 (Wednesday, December 15, 2021)</title>
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[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 [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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.
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(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2021-27284
Filed 12-14-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 15, 2021.
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