World Freedom Day, 2022, 68019-68020 [2022-24844]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 68019-68020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24844]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 218 / Monday, November 14, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 68019]]

                Proclamation 10493 of November 8, 2022

                
World Freedom Day, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On World Freedom Day, we remember the fall of the 
                Berlin Wall and recall the hope felt around the world 
                when freedom triumphed over tyranny. For decades, the 
                Soviet Union ruled Central and Eastern Europe with an 
                iron fist behind an Iron Curtain. But on that cold 
                November night in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and East 
                and West Berliners came together to send a clear 
                message: the darkness that drives autocracy can never 
                extinguish the flame of liberty that lights the souls 
                of free people everywhere. Today, we reflect upon the 
                power of people yearning for democracy and once again 
                rededicate ourselves to the same cause.

                Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have 
                been revived across the globe--exhibiting their 
                contempt for the rule of law, for human rights and 
                fundamental freedoms, and for truth itself. Russia's 
                unjust war against Ukraine, and its attempts to 
                forcibly claim territory through brutal violence and 
                sham referenda, is the latest battle in a long struggle 
                between liberty and repression--between a rules-based 
                order and one governed by brute force. We are reminded 
                once again that democracy is never guaranteed. We have 
                to defend it, protect it, and stand up for it always.

                The United States will be unabashed in promoting our 
                vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world in 
                the face of autocratic attempts to forge a darker path. 
                The future will be won by countries where members of 
                religious and ethnic minorities can live without 
                harassment, where people can love freely without being 
                targeted with violence, where privacy is respected and 
                personal liberties are inalienable, and where citizens 
                can vote freely and have that vote counted. We will 
                continue investing in developing countries to help them 
                drive down poverty, shore up critical infrastructure, 
                and unleash the full potential of their populations. We 
                will continue marshaling security, humanitarian, and 
                economic support to Ukraine, strengthening its hand 
                militarily and diplomatically as it defends against 
                Russian aggression. At home, I am determined to ensure 
                that democracy continues delivering for our people--
                making lives better in meaningful, concrete ways.

                To all the people around the world striving toward a 
                better future--a future rooted in democracy and 
                fundamental freedoms, hope and light, decency and 
                dignity--the United States stands with you. From the 
                Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their nation's very 
                existence, to the brave women of Iran organizing to 
                secure their human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 
                people of Burma demanding democracy in the face of 
                brutal violence, and the Cuban citizens standing up 
                against oppression--the courage and commitment that 
                helped bring down the Berlin Wall remains alive and 
                powerful around the world today. History shows us that 
                it is from the darkest moments that the greatest 
                progress follows. That is true thanks to brave people 
                who are bending the arc of history toward a freer and 
                more just world.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                November 9, 2022, 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.

[[Page 68020]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2022-24844
Filed 11-10-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P