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

Marti Flacks

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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

Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy Meet

Sportswashing: The Human Rights Implications of Mega Sporting Events

This episode of Intersections reviews the human rights news of the week, including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act going into effect, and the initiative by the UK government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks also discusses major developments in the world of sports and the unexpected human rights connections there with Mary Harvey, CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

Podcast Episode by ​Marti Flacks — June 28, 2022

CSIS Inter Sections

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Goes into Effect

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act creates a presumption that no goods from Xinjiang can be imported into the United States due to the use of forced labor. Read what this means for U.S. importers and supply chains, and how it could impact human rights in the region.

Critical Questions by ​Marti Flacks and Madeleine Songy — June 27, 2022

Ukrainian Refugees: Forced Displacement Response Goes Fully Digital

Digital tools are being used at historic levels for refugee assistance and protection services to Ukrainian refugees. What are the benefits and risks of deploying digital technologies at each stage of a refugee’s journey?

Report by Lauren Burke , Catherine Nzuki , Erol Yayboke , and Anastasia Strouboulis — June 23, 2022

Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy Meet

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

Ignoring human rights risks in supply chains comes with serious consequences, both for companies and the global economy. In a live event hosted on May 10, 2022, Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks hosted U.S. and EU policymakers, civil society activists, and journalists to discuss tools to address particularly forced and child labor in global supply chains. As the United States and European Union build out their enforcement regimes, what best practices can they learn from one another?

Podcast Episode by ​Marti Flacks — May 17, 2022

CSIS Inter Sections

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

Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy Meet

Strategic Solidarity: Worker Organizing in the United States & Mexico

What's driving the current wave of worker organizing across the United States and around the world? How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the game for how companies and governments engage with workers? Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks discusses the growing popularity of trade unions and the implications for global supply chains with Cathy Feingold of the AFL-CIO and Paolo Marinaro of the Solidarity Center.

Podcast Episode by ​Marti Flacks — May 3, 2022

CSIS Inter Sections