Amy K. Lehr

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Human Rights Initiative
Amy K. Lehr

Amy K. Lehr is a senior associate with the Human Rights Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She is the former director of the CSIS Human Rights Initiative and was a senior fellow with the program. In that role, her work focused on human rights as a core element of U.S. leadership, labor rights, emerging technologies, and the nexus of human rights and conflict. Amy previously served as legal adviser to the UN special representative on business and human rights and helped develop the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. She was a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Responsibility Initiative. Amy formed part of a business and human rights legal practice, engaging with businesses, investors, multilateral organizations, civil society, and governments to address global human rights challenges. She previously worked for development nongovernmental organizations in Myanmar and Thailand. She was a Council on Foreign Relations term member. Amy received her A.B. from Princeton and her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

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Facing the Risk

This report examines current trends in facial recognition development and deployment around the world to understand how the technology is being produced and used, and what can be done to ensure deployments respect fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Report by Amy K. Lehr and William Crumpler — July 27, 2021

Addressing Forced Labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

To reduce the risk of forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region affecting global supply chains, public and private actors can deploy various tools to support sourcing diversification in the textile, apparel, and footwear sectors.

Report by Amy K. Lehr — February 3, 2021

Follow This Thread: Made in Xinjiang?

Down the Rabbit Hole of Global Supply Chains

This last miniseries episode dives into the complexities of global supply chains and the huge challenges involved in tracing cotton from the field to the clothing we wear.

Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — December 18, 2020

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Combatting Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang

The US has imposed unilateral sanctions and seized imports to address widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang, China, yet China has doubled down on its policies. This report explores policy options for the US and like-minded countries.

Report by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — December 16, 2020

Follow This Thread: Made in Xinjiang?

Who Are the Uyghurs?

How is the Chinese government surveilling and oppressing the Uyghur people, and why are they doing so?

Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — December 4, 2020

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