For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 13, 2001
Captive Nations Week, 2001
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The 21st century must become the "Century of Democracy." Democracy and freedom have taken root across the globe, and the United States will continue to stand for greater consolidation of pluralism and religious freedom, wider access to information, and respect for human rights and for the rule of law. Our Nation and many of our allies share this vision for the world. In the words of President Ronald Reagan, "For the sake of peace and justice, let us move toward a world in which all people are at last free to determine their own destiny."
During the 20th century, dictators, monarchs, and colonialism gave way to democracy through ballot boxes, pressure from citizens, and negotiated settlements to conflicts. However, freedom and liberty remained out of reach for many. In 1959, the Congress promulgated a Joint Resolution authorizing and requesting the President to declare the third week of July as Captive Nations Week and to continue this annual statement "until such time as freedom and independence shall have been achieved for all the captive nations of the world."
Worldwide, many nations have successfully made transitions to democracy since President Eisenhower signed the Captive Nations Resolution. These democracies, whether nascent or consolidated, are found in areas that the great General and 34th President could have barely imagined would find freedom before the 20th century closed.
In spite of the proliferation of
democracies over the past century, many people across the globe are
held captive by their governments. More than a decade after
the Berlin Wall fell, more than 2 billion people still live under
authoritarian regimes. America must remain vigilant in our
support of those living under authoritarianism. There remain
people in Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and
Central Asia who do not enjoy the right to choose their own governments
and to hold those governments accountable.
Americans and the 3 billion others across
the globe living in democracies desire the same freedoms for the
remaining 42 percent of the world's population who live without
them. But as long as governments like those in Afghanistan,
Burma, Cuba, Iraq, and Sudan exist, freedom is not accessible to
all. Greater access to robust marketplaces of ideas, as well
as freedom of worship and expression, will empower those living in
closed societies. Strong and transparent judicial systems
and respect for human rights and the rule of law also serve as
necessary foundations for democracy.
To promote the development of democratic
practices worldwide, I reaffirm America's support for freedom, justice,
and pluralism. I have asked my Administration to examine
our programs to support democracy and human rights movements closely
and to ensure that these programs advance American
policy. In addition, I want to make certain that our annual
State Depart-ment human rights, trafficking in persons, and religious
freedom reports are integrated into American foreign policy.
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 in July of
each year as "Captive Nations Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July
15-21, 2001, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people
of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies
and activities and to reaffirm their devotion to the aspirations of all
peoples for liberty, justice, and self-determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand
one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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