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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Building Sustainable and Inclusive Democracy

The HRI analyzes how the United States and other like-minded governments can build a resilient, proactive human rights agenda—one that helps inoculate liberal democratic institutions against contemporary threats, and affirms the strategic value of integrating human rights across U.S. foreign policy priorities

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Technology and Human Rights

The Human Rights Initiative 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 Human Rights Initiative 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 Analysis

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Photo: Yousuf Tushar/LightRocket/Getty Images

Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum

The CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative convened a group of experts for moderated discussions on seafood, security, trade, and human rights.

Transcript — June 5, 2025

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Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum

Join to learn about the changing nature of US ocean policy between the Trump and Biden Administrations and how these changes will affect regional security relationships and our ability to secure domestic supply chains to ensure fair markets and support labor rights at home and abroad.

Event — June 5, 2025

Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum

The CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative convened a group of experts for moderated discussions on seafood, security, trade, and human rights.

Transcript — June 5, 2025

USAID Cuts Weaken U.S. Influence at the United Nations

Recent cuts to U.S. foreign assistance made by the Trump administration include major pullbacks on U.S. contributions to the United Nations. This jeopardizes U.S. leadership on humanitarian aid, global health, and disasters, as well as strategic competition and leadership in the UN system.

Commentary by Allison Lombardo — May 19, 2025

Audio Briefs

USAID Cuts Weaken U.S. Influence at the United Nations

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠USAID Cuts Weaken U.S. Influence at the United Nations⁠⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Allison Lombardo. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Allison Lombardo — May 19, 2025

Audio Briefs

Support Civil Society, Counter Autocracy

The United States should provide robust and long-term support for civil society. Ending this support cedes the space to dictators looking to build a more authoritarian world.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman — April 28, 2025

Audio Briefs

Support Civil Society, Counter Autocracy

An audio version of “⁠Support Civil Society, Counter Autocracy⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Andrew Friedman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Andrew Friedman — April 28, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

What Are the U.S. Department of State Human Rights Reports?

An audio version of “⁠What Are the U.S. Department of State Human Rights Reports?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Anne Frederick, Lily Kennedy, Andrew Friedman, and Michelle Strucke. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Anne Frederick, Lily Kennedy, Andrew Friedman, and Michelle Strucke — April 25, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Are the U.S. Department of State Human Rights Reports?

The U.S. Department of State is anticipated to release its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. As many expect the Trump administration to modify this year’s reports, this CQ unpacks the reports’ relevance, history, and changes from previous administrations.

Critical Questions by Anne Frederick, Lily Kennedy, Andrew Friedman, and Michelle Strucke — April 25, 2025