On Tuesday, the US Senate confirmed Uzra Zeya, an American diplomat, for the State Department’s Under Secretary of State Bureau of Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.
In years past, the Under Secretary of State Bureau of Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights tended to concurrently serve as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. “The [Chinese government is] repressing Tibetans, Christians, and other ethnic minorities,” stated Zeya during her nomination hearing in April. Zeya noted her experience working with Chinese dissidents and noted China’s current genocide against Uyghurs. She stated her desire to use Congressional tools such as the Global Magnitsky Act and the Uyghur Human Rights Act during her tenure as Under Secretary.
“Based on her credentials, Ms. Zeya could be a formidable Special Coordinator, and we look forward to the possibility of working with her soon,” remarked Representative Ngodup Tsering.
Zeya had previously served as the Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor under the Obama Administration. She could become the first Asian American to serve as Under Secretary of State.
– filed by OOT DC