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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New Approaches to Supply Chain Traceability: Implications for Xinjiang and Beyond
Report by Amy K. Lehr — November 16, 2020

Online Event: Mobilizing Finance Against Modern Slavery
Event by Heather A. Conley , James Cockayne , Eric Lorber , and Amy Lehr — October 19, 2020

Addressing Forced Labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: Toward a Shared Agenda
Brief by Amy K. Lehr — July 30, 2020

The Sunnylands Principles on Enhancing Democratic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region
Report by Michael J. Green , Amy K. Lehr , and Nicholas Szechenyi — July 13, 2020

Covid-19 at Sea: Impacts on the Blue Economy, Ocean Health, and Ocean Security
Commentary by Whitley Saumweber , Amy K. Lehr , Ty Loft , and Sabrina Kim — April 10, 2020

Human Rights in a Surveilled World
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — February 21, 2020

What Happens When Online Speech Goes Offline?
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — February 14, 2020

China's New Era in Techno-Governance
Event by Jude Blanchette , Amy K. Lehr , Josh Chin , Kate O'Keeffe , and Christina Larson — November 6, 2019

Forced Labor in Xinjiang and Implications for Global Supply Chains
Congressional Testimony by Amy K. Lehr — October 17, 2019

Connecting the Dots in Xinjiang: Forced Labor, Forced Assimilation, and Western Supply Chains
Report by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — October 16, 2019
