Human Rights Initiative

The CSIS Human Rights Initiative, launched in 2014, promotes a proactive, resilient global human rights agenda that reinforces democratic values as a central component of a comprehensive foreign policy

It seeks to generate innovative solutions for government, civil society, and the private sector to build respect for human rights and works to integrate human rights priorities across U.S. foreign policy interests. Current focus areas for the Human Rights Initiative include exploring how respect for human rights can help build sustainable and inclusive democracies; analyzing how to align and leverage private sector interests to further human rights priorities; and responding to egregious current human rights abuses.

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Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

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Building Sustainable and Inclusive Democracy

The HRI analyzes how the U.S. and partners can advance a human rights agenda that strengthens democratic institutions against contemporary threats, supports civil society as a foundation of resilience, and integrates human rights across U.S. foreign policy priorities.

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Technology and Human Rights

The HRI considers both the promise and threat that technology poses for human rights and how it impacts civil society

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Business and Human Rights

The HRI aims to reshape the thinking of governments and businesses on the role of the private sector in strengthening human rights protections around the world, raising expectations of companies to respect international norms, and pressing for accountability by governments when they do not

Photo: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images

Responding to Egregious Human Rights Abuses

The HRI analyzes and draws attention to situations where widespread human rights abuses are occurring or likely, and strives to propose policy solutions and illuminate comparative lessons learned

Featured Video

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Human Rights in 2025: The 75th International Human Rights Day

On the 75th International Human Rights Day, Andrew Friedman and Anne Frederick share the history the day, why we observe it, and the state of human rights in the world today.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: Michael P. Farrell/Albany Times Union/Getty Images

Photo: Michael P. Farrell/Albany Times Union/Getty Images

Rethinking the Legal Profession’s Role in Business and Human Rights

With a key U.S. court path to corporate accountability closed and no federal due diligence mandate, lawyers are among the last safeguards for human rights. CSIS experts outline how counsel, bar associations, and courts can use existing professional rules to guard against rights harms and silencing tactics.

Commentary by Zamira Djabarova and Lana Baydas — October 15, 2026

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Rethinking the Legal Profession’s Role in Business and Human Rights

With a key U.S. court path to corporate accountability closed and no federal due diligence mandate, lawyers are among the last safeguards for human rights. CSIS experts outline how counsel, bar associations, and courts can use existing professional rules to guard against rights harms and silencing tactics.

Commentary by Zamira Djabarova and Lana Baydas — October 15, 2026

Takeaways from the Trump-Xi White House Summit

CSIS experts assess the outcomes of the Trump-Xi White House summit in September 2026 and what it means for the future of U.S.-China relations.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — September 28, 2026

Human Rights Initiative Director's Note: September 2026 Edition

The September 2026 edition of the Human Rights Initiative Director's Note where Andrew Friedman shares his reflections on human rights and democracy issues occupying significant space in his mind, highlights key HRI ongoings, and spotlights notable articles and videos he's come across.

Newsletter by Andrew Friedman — September 23, 2026

The 1926 Slavery Convention’s Centennial in Context

What do you do when you realize moral failure has underwritten your life? This is the story beyond the 1926 Slavery Convention, which was deeply imperfect, but 100 years ago constituted the international community's first attempt at ending the moral scourge of slavery.

Commentary by John Cotton Richmond — September 22, 2026

Will LLMs Help or Hinder the Democratic Process?

With growing reliance on LLMs for information gathering, it is critical to examine how this technology will impact elections and other exercises in political accountability.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman — September 9, 2026

Human Rights Initiative Director's Note: August 2026 Edition

The August 2026 edition of the Human Rights Initiative Director's Note where Andrew Friedman shares his reflections on human rights and democracy issues occupying significant space in his mind, highlights key HRI ongoings, and spotlights notable articles and videos he's come across.

Newsletter by Andrew Friedman — August 26, 2026

New Approaches to Address the Role of Gold in Sudan’s Civil War

Revenues from gold are a key driver of the conflict in Sudan. Recent EU sanctions are a start, but much more needs to be done to ensure the gold trade no longer finances bloodshed in the world’s most abandoned humanitarian crisis.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Brad Brooks-Rubin — August 11, 2026

Bridging the Gap: LEO Satellite Internet and Human Rights

Low Earth orbit satellite internet holds tremendous promise for keeping government functioning and civil society connected in the direst of circumstances, but it must be harnessed for the public good and evade continued authoritarian efforts to fully shut off the internet.

Critical Questions by Andrew Friedman — August 6, 2026

A Global Forced Labor Import Regime Is Emerging—Can It Work?

USTR announced sweeping tariffs across 60 economies to address unfair trade practices related to the importation of forced labor-made goods. This presents significant opportunities for promoting workers' rights as well as potentially dire risks to those same rights.

Critical Questions by Laura T. Murphy — July 31, 2026