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.

Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

Marti Flacks

Marti Flacks

Marti Flacks

Contact

Media Queries

Focus Areas

Featured Analysis

See all analysis by the Human Rights Initiative

Past Events

See all events by the Human Rights Initiative

All content by Human Rights Initiative

Filter by

1 - 10 of 243 results

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.

Transcript — December 7, 2022

Photo: Thierry Monasse/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
Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy Meet

Democratic Dividends: Kenya’s Close Presidential Election

This week’s episode focuses on human rights and democracy news from across Africa: the results of the presidential election in Kenya, the release of the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, and the recent visit by Secretary Blinken to South Africa, Rwanda, and the DRC. 

Podcast Episode by ​Marti Flacks and Mvemba Phezo Dizolele — August 23, 2022

CSIS Inter Sections

Addressing the Continuing Phenomenon of Enforced Disappearances

Enforced disappearances continue as a tool of repressive regimes to silence dissent, including during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The international legal regime prohibiting this behavior could be strengthened to hold states more accountable.

Report by Diane Webber and Khaola Sherani — August 18, 2022

Photo: ULISES RUIZ/AFP/Getty Images