The bureau is under the purview of the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

[8][9] It also administers the U.S. Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF), which is DRL's flagship program.

[10] Examples of DRL's human rights advocacy in foreign locations include China,[11] the Middle East,[12] and Russia.

[13] The head of the Bureau is the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and the official currently acting in this capacity is Erin Barclay.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor is divided into twelve offices.