US sets up new office for human rights, democracy

Washington: The US has established a new office to deal with issues like democracy and human rights in a bid to strengthen institutions that address present-day transnational threats.

The Office for Civilian Security Democracy and Human Rights established by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is part of the restructuring and reorganisation of the State Department to make diplomacy a more effective tool to achieve country's foreign policy and national security goals.

"The new structure is going to help us become more effective and efficient in carrying out our policies and it's going to enable us to collaborate in a stronger way and to use many of the tools that we have available that contribute to civilian security," Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Maria Otero said.

She further said the move will cater to the country's focus on an elevated civilian power within its foreign policy by encouraging societies that are grounded in democratic principles, guarantee respect for human rights and apply the rule of law.

Underlining merits of the new initiative, Otero said it holds significance as human rights continue to be in core of all contentious issues, be it transnational crimes or extremism.

She further said the new office will also help in the country's work towards strengthening democratic institutions and judicial system apart from dealing with cases of human rights abuse.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, all were already part of this new office and will remain there, she said, adding that the newly created Office of Global Youth Issues, will also be a part of this group.

US is adding additional Operation of Conflict and Stabilisation, which was originally an office but is now becoming a bureau, to address issue like civilian security, Otero said.

She added that the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau also returns to this "family of bureaus" with its inclusion as it was earlier part of the circle before being brought under the Under Secretary of Political Affairs.

The Office of Global Criminal Justice will also come under the Office for Civilian Security Democracy and Human Rights.