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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The Human Rights Risks and Opportunities in Blockchain
Report by William Crumpler — December 14, 2021

Advocates for Democracy in Closed Spaces
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

A Good Business Model: Commitments the Private Sector Can Make to Support Democracy
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Barbara Smith — October 28, 2021

The Haitian Migrant Crisis and the Bigger Picture
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz , Marti Flacks , and Erol Yayboke — October 18, 2021

The Future of Women and Girls in Afghanistan
Event by John J. Hamre , Marti Flacks , J. Stephen Morrison , Ilze Brands-Kehris , Lauren Rumble , Shaharzad Akbar , and Uzra Zeya — September 30, 2021

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

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

What Does the Taliban Takeover Mean for the Biden Administration’s Human Rights Agenda?
Commentary by Marti Flacks — August 24, 2021

Report Launch: Mapping the Human Rights Risks of Facial Recognition Technology
Event by Marti Flacks , Amy K. Lehr , Grecia Macias , and Steve Crown — July 27, 2021

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