AfP Calls for the Immediate Confirmation of Uzra Zeya for Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights in the U.S. Department of State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2021
CONTACT
Linda Zheng | linda@allianceforpeacebuilding.org
Washington, D.C., USA. – The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP)—the leading nonpartisan global network to end violent conflict and build sustainable peace—on behalf of its 140+ members working in 181 countries calls for the immediate vote and confirmation of Uzra Zeya, AfP’s former President and CEO, for Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights in the U.S. Department of State. President Biden nominated Uzra more than three months ago. On April 15th, she deftly navigated her confirmation hearing, impressing Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She was voted out of committee on a bipartisan basis and has been pending a floor vote since April 21, 2021. Since then, the human rights situation around the world has rapidly deteriorated. From Myanmar to Ethiopia, the world is witnessing rising instability due to COVID-19. Given the competing global crises, democratic backsliding, and rollback of human rights, the U.S. government needs Senate-confirmed officials to address these pressing issues.
Uzra served as AfP’s President and CEO for two years, starting in early 2019. Her distinguished 25+ year foreign service career in conflict affected and fragile states made her an excellent choice to lead AfP. During her tenure, Uzra worked tirelessly to build partnerships and bipartisan support for laws and policies that prevent and reduce violent conflict, violence, and violent extremism and build sustainable peace. Uzra’s dynamic and innovative leadership was instrumental in the adoption of the bipartisan Global Fragility Act (GFA) in December 2019. The GFA was a critical victory for the entire peacebuilding community, which long advocated for a comprehensive U.S. government strategy on conflict prevention. The GFA puts conflict prevention at the center of U.S. foreign policy, potentially reducing the need for costlier security interventions and humanitarian responses and advancing U.S. national security. Implementation of the GFA is vital at a time the world is experiencing a 30-year high of violent conflict, and Uzra is just the person to ensure its success.
The U.S. government needs leaders quickly in place with the requisite experience and commitment to implement bipartisan laws, such as the GFA, and address the numerous, pressing global crises. Uzra Zeya is uniquely qualified to do so. Upon confirmation, Uzra would re-enter government service with deep knowledge of urgent U.S. foreign policy priorities at a critical moment of increasing violent conflict and fragility globally.
Uzra has the skills and experience required to lead the State Department's Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights portfolio and tackle the complex challenges of today's evolving and increasingly insecure global landscape. AfP believes her exceptional non-partisan leadership at AfP and the Department of State over three decades makes her an outstanding nominee, and her position is essential for the advancement of U.S. national security. AfP calls on the U.S. Congress to expeditiously vote and confirm her nomination as Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.
With over 140 member organizations, AfP brings together the largest development organizations, most innovative academic institutions, and influential humanitarian and faith-based groups to harness collective action for peace. We build coalitions in key areas of strategy and policy to elevate the entire peacebuilding field, tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.