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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Marti Flacks

Marti Flacks

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Discussion on UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022

With 2023 marking 20 years of the UN Trafficking Protocol and the half-way mark for the 2030 agenda, leading voices in the international community will discuss this opportunity to refocus efforts on fighting global trafficking and related impunity.

Event by Erol Yayboke , ​Marti Flacks , Ambassador Cindy Dyer , Angela Me , Ilias Chatzis , and Desirée Suo Weymont — February 1, 2023

Photo: MADAREE TOHLALA/AFP/Getty Images

Responding to Egregious Abuses in Xinjiang: Latest State of Play

The CSIS Human Rights Initiative hosted a discussion on the current state of human rights in Xinjiang, featuring keynote remarks by Department of Homeland Security under secretary for strategy, policy, and plans Robert Silvers.

Event by ​Marti Flacks , Robert Silvers , Omer Kanat , Laura Murphy , and Cynthia Whittenberg — December 6, 2022

Photo: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Dead, Detained or Stateless

Please join the CSIS Human Rights Initiative for the virtual launch of CSIS Senior Associate Diane Webber’s latest book, Human Rights Law and Counter Terrorism Strategies: Dead, Detained or Stateless.  

Event by Diane Webber , ​Marti Flacks , and David Stewart — September 26, 2022

Photo: Shane McCoy/Greg Mathieson/Mai/Getty Images

Forced Labor Around the World

Please join the CSIS Human Rights Initiative for a discussion on the International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) new Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report, produced in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Walk Free.

Event — September 15, 2022

Photo: Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

Advancing LGBTQIA+ Rights via U.S. Foreign Policy

CSIS hosts a discussion with senior U.S. government officials and civil society representatives on the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

Event by ​Marti Flacks , Hadeil Ali , Jessica Stern , Jay Gilliam , Dr. Chloe Schwenke , and Stephen Chukwumah — June 30, 2022

Photo: AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP/Getty Images

U.S. and European Strategies to Tackle Human Rights in Global Supply Chains

Please join CSIS and the Heinrich Boll Foundation for a discussion of U.S. and European strategies to promote the reliability and sustainability of global supply chains by increasing respect for human rights by companies.

Event by ​Marti Flacks , Heidi Hautala , Thea Lee , Barbara Küppers , David McKean , Michael Anthony , and Sabine Muscat — May 10, 2022

Photo: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images

What’s next for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan?

This event will discuss the current negotiations for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) mandate, which is up for renewal in March and is more important than ever to address ongoing crises in Afghanistan.

Event by Annie Pforzheimer , Nilofar Sakhi , James B. Cunningham , and Mark Bowden — February 24, 2022

Photo: bennymarty/Adobestock