Captive Nations Week, 2001

Proclamation 7455 of July 12, 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 Department 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.

(Presidential Sig.)B