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 United States Blacklisted 28 Chinese Entities over Repression of Muslim Minorities in Xinjiang. What Does This Mean for Human Rights?
Critical Questions by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — October 11, 2019

Human Rights in a Shifting Landscape: Recommendations for Congress
Report by Amy K. Lehr , Michael J. Green , Victor Cha , Jon B. Alterman , Sara M. Allinder , Mark L. Schneider , Erol Yayboke , Judd Devermont , and Melissa Dalton — September 9, 2019

Preventing Radicalization: A Personal Perspective
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — August 9, 2019

A Human Rights-based Approach to A.I.
Podcast Episode by Amy K. Lehr — July 25, 2019

Transatlantic Human Rights Cooperation: An Armchair Discussion with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights
Event by Amy K. Lehr and Eamon Gilmore — July 17, 2019


The Last Thing El Salvador’s New President Needs Is for the United States to Cut Billions in Aid
Commentary by Mark L. Schneider — July 1, 2019

The Global Peace Index 2019 Launch
Event by Amy K. Lehr , Stephen Lennon , Shannon Green , Jonathan Drimmer , and Laurie Smolenski — June 20, 2019

Pardoning Alleged War Criminals: Bad for the United States, Bad for the World
Commentary by Amy K. Lehr — May 24, 2019

Everything in Moderation: The Unintended Consequences of Regulating Hate Speech
Event by Amy K. Lehr , Emma Llanso , Alex Feerst , Sherwin Siy , and Courtney C. Radsch — April 10, 2019
