Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 11: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has designated Riley M. Barnes, the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), to concurrently serve as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State. Barnes will now hold both portfolios simultaneously, continuing his primary role at DRL while assuming responsibility for coordinating U.S. policy on Tibet.
In its statement, the State Department reaffirmed Washington’s long-standing position on Tibet, stating that “the United States is committed to advancing the human rights of Tibetans, including supporting efforts to preserve Tibetans’ distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, and their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference.”
“The US is committed to advancing the human rights of Tibetans, including supporting efforts to preserve Tibetans’ distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, and their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference,” the State Department further stated.
The U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues is a statutory position created under the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002. The role is mandated to coordinate U.S. government policy on Tibet, promote dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives, and support efforts to preserve Tibetan religious freedom, cultural identity, and human rights. The position had remained vacant following the recent change in administration.
Barnes’ appointment has been welcomed as a positive step, even though he does not hold the rank of ‘under secretary,’ a level traditionally associated with the post under the Tibetan Policy Act. Most recently, Uzra Zeya served as Special Coordinator while holding the position of Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights during the Biden administration.
However, Barnes’ designation is not without precedent. During the Trump administration, Robert Destro, then Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, was appointed in 2020 as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Destro’s appointment filled a vacancy that had persisted since 2017, demonstrating that the role has previously been held concurrently by an assistant secretary.
Before assuming his current post, Barnes held a series of senior leadership roles across the U.S. Department of State, reflecting extensive experience in diplomacy, policy formulation, and human rights advocacy. His previous positions include Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs. He also served as Senior Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, worked as a senior speechwriter for the Secretary of State, and was a member of the Department’s policy planning staff.
Prior to joining the State Department, Barnes served as senior speechwriter to then–Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, gaining early experience in legislative affairs and strategic political communication.
A native of Uvalde, Texas, Barnes earned a Bachelor’s degree in politics from Washington and Lee University and holds a Master’s degree in international relations from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
