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

New Century, Old Taliban
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Lauren Burke — 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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Diversity and Inclusion in Diplomacy
Event by Marti Flacks , Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley , and Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce — June 30, 2021

Updating U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct
Critical Questions by Marti Flacks — June 18, 2021

Judicial Independence in Central America
Congressional Testimony by Mark L. Schneider — June 10, 2021

Addressing Forced Labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Report by Amy K. Lehr — February 3, 2021

Online Event: The Shadow Pandemic: How COVID-19 Erodes the Rights of Women and Girls
Event by Amy K. Lehr , Diana J. Arango , Carla Koppell , Mark P. Lagon , and Varina Winder — January 21, 2021

Down the Rabbit Hole of Global Supply Chains
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — December 18, 2020

Online Event: Stopping Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang: What's Worked, What Hasn't, and What's Next?
Event by Jude Blanchette , Amy K. Lehr , Jessica Batke , Megha Rajagopalan , and Sheena Chestnut Greitens — December 16, 2020

Combatting Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang
Report by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — December 16, 2020

Government-Imposed Forced Labor is, Alas, Nothing New
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — December 11, 2020

Who Are the Uyghurs?
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — December 4, 2020
