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

Addressing the Continuing Phenomenon of Enforced Disappearances
Report by Diane Webber and Khaola Sherani — August 18, 2022
Past Events

Responding to Egregious Abuses in Xinjiang: Latest State of Play

Dead, Detained or Stateless

Forced Labor Around the World

Advancing LGBTQIA+ Rights via U.S. Foreign Policy
All content by Human Rights Initiative
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Japan’s Human Rights Guidelines for Companies Provide an Opportunity for Global Leadership
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Madeleine Songy — May 19, 2022

U.S. and European Strategies to Tackle Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — May 17, 2022

U.S. and European Strategies to Tackle Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
Event by Marti Flacks , Heidi Hautala , Thea Lee , Barbara Küppers , David McKean , Michael Anthony , and Sabine Muscat — May 10, 2022

Strategic Solidarity: Worker Organizing in the United States & Mexico
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — May 3, 2022

Just and Equitable Policing: Human Rights and Security Services Reform
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — April 19, 2022

Justice in Ukraine May Be Slow, but Must Be Steady
Commentary by Marti Flacks — April 8, 2022

Clear Evidence of War Crimes
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Marti Flacks — April 5, 2022

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent: Navigating Indigenous Land Rights and the Clean Energy Sector
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — April 5, 2022

Russia’s Crackdown on Independent Media and Access to Information Online
Event by Marti Flacks , Vera Zakem , Jamie Fly , Daniel Baer , Maria Snegovaya , and Andrew Lohsen — March 29, 2022

A Well-Founded Fear: Protecting the Rights of Refugees in Times of Crisis
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — March 22, 2022
