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.
Contact
- Lauren Burke
- Senior Program Manager, Human Rights Initiative
- 202.775.3286
- LBurke@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Assistant Director of Communications, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images
One Anniversary, Two Declarations: The UDHR and the Inter-American Human Rights System
The UDHR is a milestone human rights document, but regional agreements have also been critical to building human rights norms in the Americas.
Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 1, 2023

The Evolving and Incompletely Realized Human Right to Water
Commentary by David Michel — December 1, 2023

Someone Has to Lead
Commentary by Daniel F. Runde — December 1, 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Forgotten Lessons of the UDHR
Commentary by Hadeil Ali and Rafi Demerath — November 30, 2023

Why The UDHR Still Matters
Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 30, 2023
Past Events

The Future of the Care Economy

Rising to the Moment - Launching USAID's new Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance

Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum- Taking Stock and Next Steps

Reflecting on Rana Plaza: The Evolution of Corporate Engagement on Human Rights in Supply Chains since the 2013 disaster
All Human Rights Initiative Content
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Progress and Possibility: Reflecting on 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Event — December 6, 2023
One Anniversary, Two Declarations: The UDHR and the Inter-American Human Rights System
Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 1, 2023
"75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights": Audio Brief with Marti Flacks
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — December 1, 2023

Someone Has to Lead
Commentary by Daniel F. Runde — December 1, 2023
The Evolving and Incompletely Realized Human Right to Water
Commentary by David Michel — December 1, 2023
Breaking Point: Human Rights in a Multipolar World
Commentary by Natasha Hall — November 30, 2023
Why The UDHR Still Matters
Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 30, 2023
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Forgotten Lessons of the UDHR
Commentary by Hadeil Ali and Rafi Demerath — November 30, 2023
Why Responsible Mining Is a Human Rights Imperative
Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — November 29, 2023
The Right to Be Left Alone: Privacy in a Rapidly Changing World
Commentary by Caitlin Chin-Rothmann — November 29, 2023