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.

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Marti Flacks

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#NotHer? International Women’s Day and the Attack on Female Human Rights Defenders

As the #MeToo movement grows in the United States, Women Human Rights Defenders face an increase in attacks around the world. CSIS’s Human Rights Initiative discusses the state of Women Human Rights Defenders and provides some key recommendations.

Commentary by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — March 8, 2019

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

A CSO Playbook to Reclaim Civic Space: Version 1.0

This brief consolidates key lessons and recommendations from several years of research conducted by the CSIS International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon) regarding how civil society can respond to narrowing civic space.

Report by Amy K. Lehr and Catherine Hyde Townsend — December 21, 2018

Photo: ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Pushing Back against Narrowing Space for Civil Society in Tunisia

This report provides an overview of the status of civic space in Tunisia after the 2011 Arab Spring and focuses on ways in which civil society can respond to closing civic space in the country, especially through the formation of coalitions that push back against laws that impede their activities.

Report by Yara Shahin — December 19, 2018

Photo: FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images

Polish Civil Society

This report describes how civic space is narrowing in Poland and provides recommendations to civil society organizations, donors, the US government, and the European Union on how to build the capacity of civil society in Poland, especially through the creation of new business models and funding streams.

Report by Barbara Smith — December 19, 2018

Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Mexican Civil Society

This report highlights the power of national and community-based civil coalitions to combat impunity and revise controversial laws that diminish civic space in Mexico.

Report by Linnea Sandin and Sarah Baumunk — December 19, 2018

Photo: JULIO CESAR AGUILAR/AFP/Getty Images

​Targeted Sanctions on Human Rights Abusers and Kleptocracies

Please join the Human Rights Initiative for reflections from U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), the author of the Global Magnitsky Act, followed by a panel examining the impact of the Global Magnitsky sanctions and other-related issues. 

Event by Amy K. Lehr , U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) , Robert Berschinski , Robert Peri , Joshua White , and Andrea Prasow — December 13, 2018

​Targeted Sanctions on Human Rights Abusers and Kleptocracies

Responding to the Xinjiang Surveillance State—and Its Likely Progeny

Congressional attention has turned to the Orwellian plight facing the Uyghurs, as the surveillance state in Xinjiang demonstrates the dark side of surveillance equipment, big data, and AI, writes Amy Lehr, director of CSIS Human Rights Initiative.

Commentary by Amy K. Lehr — November 13, 2018

Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images