Helsinki Human Rights Day, 2010

Proclamation 8608 of November 30, 2010

Helsinki Human Rights Day, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Helsinki
Final Act, a seminal document tying lasting security
among states with respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms within states. With the signing of
the Act on August 1, 1975, the United States, Canada,
the Soviet Union, and the countries of a divided Europe
solemnly pledged to work together to realize
comprehensive security across the European continent.
This occasion also spurred courageous human rights
activists in Eastern Europe to form citizens' groups to
press for the implementation of commitments their
governments had made, launching the Helsinki movement.

The guiding principles set forth 35 years ago in the
Helsinki Final Act, now institutionalized in the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE), still serve as a beacon to all who strive for
freedom and peace across the Euro-Atlantic region. On
this day, we reaffirm our sincere belief that security
is indivisible, and must be rooted in confidence,
cooperation, transparency, and respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms. We also recommit to calling
on fellow participating states to reexamine their
compliance with their OSCE commitments.

The Helsinki Final Act, with its affirmation of
fundamental human rights, inspired many who struggled
against repressive regimes and for human dignity.
Today, a new generation of brave women and men work
tirelessly--often risking their lives--to realize those
same rights. We stand with them and with all who
advocate for the rights of their fellow citizens and
for the betterment of their societies.

Together, we will ensure the United States continues to
serve as an example in both word and deed to the
Helsinki principles. As President Gerald Ford said to
his fellow signatories at the signing of the Helsinki
Final Act, history will judge us ``not by the promises
we make, but by the promises we keep.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 1, 2010, as
Helsinki Human Rights Day. I call upon all the people
of the United States to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.