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
- Program Manager and Research Associate, 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
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
To Build Resilient Global Supply Chains, Incorporate Respect for Human Rights
Failure to address human rights abuses will undermine government and private sector efforts to build sustainability and resilience into global supply chains.
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Catherine Zou — December 16, 2022

Tracked: Stories at the Intersection of Migration, Technology, and Human Rights
Digital Report by Lauren Burke , Erol Yayboke , Marti Flacks , and Anastasia Strouboulis — December 15, 2022

Responding to Egregious Abuses in Xinjiang: Latest State of Play
Transcript — December 7, 2022

How Supporting Democracy Benefits the U.S.-India Partnership
Commentary by Barbara Smith and Marti Flacks — November 1, 2022

New Century, Old Taliban
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Lauren Burke — August 18, 2022
Past Events

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

Responding to Egregious Abuses in Xinjiang: Latest State of Play

Dead, Detained or Stateless

Forced Labor Around the World
All content by Human Rights Initiative
Filter by
Addressing the Continuing Phenomenon of Enforced Disappearances
Report by Diane Webber and Khaola Sherani — August 18, 2022

New Century, Old Taliban
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Lauren Burke — August 18, 2022

Intensifying Repression: Pro-Democracy Activists Executed in Myanmar
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks and Erin L. Murphy — August 9, 2022

Litigating Internet Freedoms: Governments and Social Media Companies Go to Court
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — July 26, 2022

A Privilege, Not A Right: U.S. Reengagement with the UN Human Rights Council
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — July 12, 2022

Advancing LGBTQIA+ Rights via U.S. Foreign Policy
Event by Marti Flacks , Hadeil Ali , Jessica Stern , Jay Gilliam , Dr. Chloe Schwenke , and Stephen Chukwumah — June 30, 2022

Sportswashing: The Human Rights Implications of Mega Sporting Events
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — June 28, 2022

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Goes into Effect
Critical Questions by Marti Flacks and Madeleine Songy — June 27, 2022

Ukrainian Refugees: Forced Displacement Response Goes Fully Digital
Report by Lauren Burke , Catherine Nzuki , Erol Yayboke , and Anastasia Strouboulis — June 23, 2022

International Norms under Pressure: State Compliance with International Humanitarian & Human Rights Law
Event by John J. Hamre , J. Stephen Morrison , Marti Flacks , Cordula Droege , Oona Hathaway , and Chanaka Wickremasinghe — May 20, 2022
