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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Ukraine’s Need for Fighter Jets under the UN Charter and the Responsibility to Protect
Commentary by Mark L. Schneider and Wesley K. Clark — March 22, 2022

Intersections Trailer
Podcast Episode by Marti Flacks — March 16, 2022

European Union Releases Draft Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Directive
Critical Questions by Marti Flacks and Madeleine Songy — March 11, 2022

Humanitarian Crisis
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz , Marti Flacks , and Erol Yayboke — March 3, 2022

Rights Revoked: The State of Human Rights in Afghanistan After Six Months of Taliban Rule
Event by Marti Flacks , Heather Barr , Anne Richard , Rina Amiri , and Horia Mosadiq — March 2, 2022

Will There Be Accountability for Russian Abuses in Ukraine?
Commentary by Marti Flacks — February 28, 2022

What’s next for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan?
Event by Annie Pforzheimer , Nilofar Sakhi , James B. Cunningham , and Mark Bowden — February 24, 2022

Reeling In Abuse
Report by Marti Flacks , Jacqueline Lewis , and David McKean — February 15, 2022

Experts React: The 2021 Summit for Democracy
Commentary — December 16, 2021

Blockchain Technology: Human Rights Risks & Opportunities
Event by Marti Flacks , James Andrew Lewis , William Crumpler , Giulio Coppi , Mariam Turashvili , Trent Larson , and Isabel Ebert — December 15, 2021
