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

Photo: EYERUSALEM JIREGNA/AFP via Getty Images

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

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Audio Briefs

What Does Duterte’s Arrest Mean for Heads of State Facing Justice?

An audio version of “What Does Duterte’s Arrest Mean for Heads of State Facing Justice?,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Andrew Friedman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Andrew Friedman — March 12, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Are Civil Society Organizations?

Civil society organizations are vital partners in U.S. foreign policy, improving security, pushing back on authoritarianism and global adversaries, and providing lifesaving assistance, but too few people understand how they operate.

Critical Questions by Andrew Friedman — February 26, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Are Civil Society Organizations?

An audio version of “What Are Civil Society Organizations?” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Andrew Friedman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Andrew Friedman — February 26, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Assessing the Potential Impact of the EU Forced Labor Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

An audio version of “Assessing the Potential Impact of the EU Forced Labor Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive,” a new Critical Questions by Aly Senko, Lauren Burke Preputnik, and CSIS’s Scott Busby and Michelle Strucke. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Aly Senko, Lauren Burke Preputnik, Scott Busby, and Michelle Strucke — December 20, 2024

Audio Briefs

The Future of Democracy and Human Rights in American Foreign Policy

The change in Administration offers an invaluable time to examine the future of U.S. foreign policy and how democracy and human rights promotion fits into it. This event will discuss the importance of such promotion for U.S. interests and national security.

Event — December 19, 2024