World Freedom Day, 2021, 62893-62894 [2021-24959]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 217 (Monday, November 15, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62893-62894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24959]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 217 / Monday, November 15, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 62893]]

                Proclamation 10304 of November 8, 2021

                
World Freedom Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For nearly 3 decades, the Berlin Wall stood as a 
                physical symbol of the Cold War, dividing democratic 
                West Berlin from communist East Berlin. Today, we 
                remember the East Germans who escaped and those who 
                died attempting to attain a life of freedom. We 
                recognize the irrepressible human spirit that no wall 
                could contain, which fueled the civil resistance, 
                sacrifice, and courageous defiance of people across 
                Central and Eastern Europe. We recall the euphoria and 
                the hope of the East and West Berliners who gathered at 
                the wall on November 9, 1989, chanting ``Tor auf!''--
                ``Open the gate!''

                It was the aspirations for freedom of the people of 
                Central and Eastern Europe that ultimately brought down 
                the Berlin Wall and overcame the Soviet Union's 
                attempts to keep Europe divided by force. On World 
                Freedom Day, we commemorate this historic event and 
                honor all those who peacefully rose up and claimed 
                their freedom and all those who continue their legacy 
                by peacefully working to end tyranny and oppression in 
                our world today.

                Since the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989, we have 
                seen great progress to advance human rights and 
                fundamental freedoms as well as to build and 
                consolidate democratic institutions across the formerly 
                communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and 
                around the world. However, democracy is still fragile, 
                and in too many places it remains under threat. 
                Authoritarians elevate their own power over the rights 
                of their citizens, and around the world we see aspiring 
                autocrats trample the rule of law, attack freedom of 
                the press, and undermine an independent judiciary.

                In the face of resurgent authoritarianism and attacks 
                on human rights around the globe, the United States is 
                working to support democratic renewal and resilience at 
                home and abroad. It remains as important as ever to 
                counter the range of threats to democracy--and, 
                ultimately, peace and stability--including 
                transnational repression, corruption, cyberattacks, 
                disinformation, digital authoritarianism, inequality 
                and injustice, voter suppression, and economic 
                coercion.

                World Freedom Day also reminds us of the hopeful future 
                people still seek for themselves around the world. In 
                recent years, brave women and youths in Sudan have 
                withstood violence and oppression to push a genocidal 
                dictator from power and today continue to defend their 
                democratic progress. Proud Moldovans helped deliver a 
                victory for the forces of democracy. Citizens of 
                Zambia, especially young people, turned out in historic 
                numbers to elect their new president. Ukraine continues 
                to make progress in countering corruption, safeguarding 
                human rights, and strengthening its democratic 
                institutions all while standing up to Russian 
                aggression. Courageous anti-corruption activists, human 
                rights defenders, journalists, and peace protestors in 
                Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Hong Kong, Syria, Venezuela, and 
                elsewhere continue to demand respect for their human 
                rights and a democratic future. To all those who 
                continue to endure repression under authoritarian 
                regimes, know that the people of the United States 
                stand with you.

                Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideal that 
                democracy--a Government of the people, by the people, 
                and for the people--is how we best safeguard the 
                rights, freedoms, and dignity that belong to every 
                person.

[[Page 62894]]

                Together with other free nations, the United States 
                remains committed to the vital work of strengthening 
                our democratic institutions, defending civil society, 
                advancing human rights, and holding those who commit 
                abuses and foster corruption accountable. To 
                demonstrate this, on December 9-10, 2021, I will host a 
                virtual Summit for Democracy to help set an agenda for 
                democratic renewal across the globe.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                November 9, 2021, as World Freedom Day. I call upon the 
                people of the United States of America to recall the 
                hope symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall and 
                reaffirm our dedication to freedom and democracy.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of November, 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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-24959
Filed 11-12-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P