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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The Human Rights Risks and Opportunities in Blockchain

This report considers the opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with the adoption of blockchain solutions in four use cases to understand the human rights impact of blockchain on supply chain transparency, voting, digital identity, and land rights management.

Report by William Crumpler — December 14, 2021

PHOTO: YOUR123/ADOBE STOCK

Advocates for Democracy in Closed Spaces

Please join CSIS for an official summit event of the 2021 Summit for Democracy.

Event by and Daniel F. Runde , Elizabeth Hoffman , ​Marti Flacks , Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) , Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) , Ambassador Isobel Coleman , Anna Dobrovolskaya , Glacier Kwong , Sopheap Chak , Luciano Garcia , Alex Magaisa — December 6, 2021

Photo: JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images
The Truth of the Matter

The Haitian Migrant Crisis and the Bigger Picture

CSIS’s Project on Fragility and Mobility Director Erol Yayboke and Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks join the podcast to discuss the Haitian migrant crisis as a microcosm of how climate change, human rights, and national security are increasingly intertwined.  

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz , ​Marti Flacks , and Erol Yayboke — October 18, 2021

CSIS the truth of the matter

The Future of Women and Girls in Afghanistan

Please join the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Thursday, September 30 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT for a discussion on the future of women and girls in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s ascendance in Kabul.

Event by John J. Hamre , ​Marti Flacks , J. Stephen Morrison , Ilze Brands-Kehris , Lauren Rumble , Shaharzad Akbar , and Uzra Zeya — September 30, 2021

Photo: BAY ISMOYO/AFP/GettyImages

Tunisia – What Now?

Join the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, Middle East Program, and Human Rights Initiative for a conversation on the surprising developments in Tunisia over the past month and a look at what the future holds for the country.

Event by Jon B. Alterman , ​Marti Flacks , Congressman David Price (D-NC) , Mohamed Malouche , Shawna Bader-Blau , and Arbia Jebali — September 2, 2021

Photo: FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images
The Truth of the Matter

Digital Taliban

CSIS Human Rights Initiative Director Marti Flacks discusses the new “digital Taliban,” and how it is poised to utilize biometric technology and electronic surveillance in order to rule Afghanistan.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and ​Marti Flacks — September 2, 2021

CSIS the truth of the matter

Facing the Risk

This report examines current trends in facial recognition development and deployment around the world to understand how the technology is being produced and used, and what can be done to ensure deployments respect fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Report by Amy K. Lehr and William Crumpler — July 27, 2021

Photo: Adobestock