Assistant Secretaries of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
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Notice posted on January 12, 2024.
Last
updated March 14, 2024.
On Apr 21, 1975, in response to growing Congressional interest in human rights issues in foreign policy, the Department of State established the position of Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs. The International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Jun 30, 1976; P.L. 94-329; 90 Stat. 748) made the Coordinator a Presidential appointee, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, and changed the title to Coordinator for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. The Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1978 (Aug 17, 1977; P.L. 95-105; 91 Stat. 847) changed the Coordinator’s title to Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. The Department of State, by administrative action, established the Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs on Oct 27, 1977. Section 162 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (P.L. 103-236; 108 Stat. 403), authorized the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor May 12, 1994.
- James Morrison Wilson Jr. (1976–1977)
- Patricia Murphy Derian (1977–1981)
- Elliott Abrams (1981–1985)
- Richard Schifter (1985–1992)
- Patricia Diaz Dennis (1992–1993)
- John Howard Francis Shattuck (1993–1998)
- Harold Hongju Koh (1998–2001)
- Lorne W. Craner (2001–2004)
- Barry F. Lowenkron (2005–2007)
- David J. Kramer (2008–2009)
- Michael H. Posner (2009–2013)
- Tomasz P. Malinowski (2014–2017)
- Robert A. Destro (2019)
- Ernest W. Lefever (Not commissioned; nomination withdrawn before the Senate acted upon it.)