Captive Nations Week 2023: History, Facts, How to Observe

Since its inception, Captive Nations Week has been proclaimed for the third week of July, beginning on July 11 this year. During the Cold War, a subjugated nation was one ruled by communists, specifically the Soviet Union. While the Soviet Union no longer exists, there are still nations governed by non-democratic governments, and this week-long official observance attempts to raise public awareness of the problems these nations face.

The background of Captive Nations Week

A 1953 Congressional resolution proclaimed Captive Nations Week to raise awareness of the Soviet occupation of Eastern European countries and the Soviet imposition of support for Communist regimes.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower later transformed the resolution into Public Law 86-90. Lev E. Dobriansky, a prominent anti-communist activist, is attributed with playing a pivotal role on the Captive Nations committee. He was the son of Ukrainian immigrants and devoted his life to advocating for the liberation of those living under communist rule. He has also held the positions of U.S. ambassador, economics professor, author, lecturer, and global strategist. He drafted the text for the law governing captive nations, which eventually became Captive Nations Week. However, after the fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe, the week now provides assistance to the recently democratic governments of these nations.

Every U.S. President has proclaimed the third week of July as Captive Nations Week since its inception. The week-long observance is attended by diasporas from non-democratic nations and aims to draw attention to the issues surrounding democracy and human rights. In the recent past, members of the Belarusian American community comprised a significant proportion of marchers during Captive Nations Week. As several countries are still ruled by authoritarian and totalitarian communist regimes, there has been a demand for the revival of Captive Nations Week.

Captive Nations Week is a time for everyone to unite and work together to make the globe a better and safer place for all citizens.

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HOW TO RECOGNISE CAPTIVATED NATIONS WEEK

Explore communist regions

Utilise Captive Nations Week to educate yourself on communist and oppressed nations around the globe. This will help you recognise the plight of these nations and demonstrate solidarity with them.

Champion democratic liberties

Each citizen of the world deserves to exist in a democratic society. During Captive Nations Week, promote the need for democracy in oppressed nations around the world. You can join a cause or attend parades or panel discussions.

Utilise the influence of social media to raise awareness

Social media has the ability to initiate movements and have a significant impact. Utilise this power to raise awareness about the oppression faced by these nations and recruit more people to this cause.

5 Facts Regarding Captive Nations

Originating in the aftermath of the First World War and the Bolshevik Revolution are the Captive Nations.

In the original Public Law, there were 23 subjugated nations listed.

Russians argued that Captive Nations Week was anti-Russian because Russia was not on the list of captive nations.

Each year, American leaders release a new iteration of the Captive Nations Proclamation.

During the Cold War, Presidents, mayors, and governors of the United States occasionally attended Captive Nations Week events.