Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
U.S. diplomatic position
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights was a position within the U.S. Department of State that led the State Department's efforts to prevent and counter threats to civilian security.[2] The under secretary overaw the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the Office of Global Criminal Justice, and the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
- The president
- with Senate advice and consent
| United States Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights | |
|---|---|
Seal of the United States Department of State | |
Incumbent since July 14, 2025Vacant | |
| United States Department of State | |
| Style | The Honorable |
| Reports to | The United States Secretary of State |
| Seat | Washington, D.C. |
| Appointer |
|
| Term length |
|
| Precursor | Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs |
| Inaugural holder | Maria Otero |
| Formation | January 17, 2012 |
| Abolished | July 14, 2025[1] |
| Superseded by | Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom |
| Salary | Executive Schedule, Level 3 |
| Website | Official website |
Previously known as the under secretary for democracy and global affairs, the position was renamed in 2012, during the Obama administration.[3]
On April 22, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the position would be abolished and renamed the under secretary for foreign assistance, humanitarian affairs, and religious freedom.[4]
List of under secretaries of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights
| # | Name | Assumed office | Left office | President(s) served under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Otero | January 17, 2012 | February 4, 2013 | Barack Obama |
| 2 | Sarah Sewall | February 20, 2014 | January 20, 2017 | |
| - | Nathan Sales (initially as acting, later as senior official) |
September 29, 2017 | December 21, 2020 | Donald Trump |
| - | Eric Ueland (as senior official, by designation) |
December 21, 2020 | January 20, 2021 | |
| - | Lisa J. Peterson (as senior official, by designation) |
January 20, 2021 | July 14, 2021 | Joe Biden |
| 3 | Uzra Zeya[5] | July 14, 2021 | January 20, 2025 | |
| - | Albert T. Gombis[1] (as senior official, by designation) |
January 20, 2025 | July 14, 2025[1] | Donald Trump |
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