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: WOLFGANG RATTAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Operationalizing the G7 Commitment to End Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains
G7 member states should seize the opportunity to leverage their market influence in a coordinated way to address egregious forced labor abuses.
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Steven Orientale — May 31, 2023

Reflecting on Rana Plaza: The Evolution of Corporate Engagement on Human Rights in Supply Chains since the 2013 disaster
Transcript — April 24, 2023

The UDHR at 75: A Conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Transcript — April 18, 2023

The Potential Legacy of the Summit for Democracy Process
Commentary by Marti Flacks — March 21, 2023

The ICC Wants Putin. Now What?
Critical Questions by Marti Flacks — March 20, 2023
Past Events

Reflecting on Rana Plaza: The Evolution of Corporate Engagement on Human Rights in Supply Chains since the 2013 disaster

The UDHR at 75: A Conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

The 2023 Forum on Business and Democracy

Promise and Peril: Migration Management Technologies in West Africa and Central America
All content by Human Rights Initiative
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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

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