Sec. 7. Human rights officers
274 words·~1 min read·
/bill/118/s/3705/is/section-7A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should— increase the number of Foreign Service officer positions dedicated to democracy and human rights graded at mid-level rank levels and posted to missions in countries facing complex democracy and human rights crises, including countries facing high levels of violence against human rights defenders; and increase the number of democracy, human rights, and labor positions graded at mid-level rank levels at overseas posts, incorporating recommendations from the Director of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor regarding scope of work and the location of posts.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a recommendation to the appropriate congressional committees to reclassify not less than 10 human rights officers to the FS–3, –2, or –1 level. Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, not less than 10 human rights officers shall be reclassified in accordance with this section. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall increase the number of personnel who are responsible for democracy and human rights issues, with the goal of having at least one officer dedicated to democracy and human rights at every mission.
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor shall lead selection and placement of such officers at diplomatic missions, consulting with regional bureaus. Democracy, human rights, and governance should be a core competency course for foreign service officers at each level of required training, including those at the entry (A–100), mid, and Senior Foreign Service levels.