ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8541ProclamationObama · DCeremonial

Proclamation 8541

Captive Nations Week, 2010

President Obama proclaimed July 18–24, 2010, as Captive Nations Week, continuing a tradition begun by President Eisenhower in 1959 to express solidarity with peoples living under authoritarian regimes. The proclamation calls on Americans to reaffirm support for global human rights and democracy advocates but contains no binding policy directives, funding allocations, or agency mandates.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 42279

Impact dates

  1. Captive Nations Week ends

  2. Captive Nations Week begins

Key directives

  • Proclaim July 18 through July 24, 2010 as Captive Nations Week
  • Call upon people of the United States to reaffirm commitment to global human rights workers

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation of July 18-24, 2010 as Captive Nations Week

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • No substantive policy mechanism attached to symbolic gesture
  • Vague 'call upon' language lacks enforceability
Proclamation 8541: Captive Nations Week, 2010 · Executive Orders