Captive Nations Week, 2007

Proclamation 8160 of July 10, 2007

Captive Nations Week, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Liberty is the path to lasting peace and the
unalienable right of every man, woman, and child.
During Captive Nations Week, we underscore our
commitment to protecting human rights, advancing
democracy and freedom, and ending tyranny across the
globe.

Expanding freedom is a moral imperative, and today more
people are free than ever before. Freedom is reaching
around the world, and America is working side-by-side
with new democracies in Liberia, Mauritania, Ukraine,
Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. The people of Kuwait held
elections in which women were able to vote and run for
office for the first time, and the elected parliament
is exercising real influence with the government. We
continue to stand firmly behind the citizens of
Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq as they defend their
democratic gains against extremist enemies. Many are
making great sacrifices for liberty, and they deserve
our steadfast support.

While there is progress in freedom's advance, nations
such as Belarus, Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Iran,
Sudan, and Zimbabwe still oppress their citizens. My
Administration recently created the Human Rights
Defenders Fund to provide grants for the legal defense
and medical expenses of democratic dissidents arrested
or beaten by repressive governments. In addition, we
have nearly doubled funding for democracy projects
throughout the world. The American people believe that
the flame for freedom burns in every human heart, and
that light cannot be extinguished by governments,
terrorists, or tyrants. During Captive Nations Week, we
remember that human freedom is the key to achieving
respect for all human rights.

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, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim July 15 through 21, 2007, as
Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the
United States to reaffirm our commitment to all those
seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand
seven, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and thirty-second.