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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#NotHer? International Women’s Day and the Attack on Female Human Rights Defenders
Commentary by Amy K. Lehr and Efthimia Maria (“Mariefaye”) Bechrakis — March 8, 2019

Digital Surveillance Unleashed: Implications for Human Rights, Democracy, and American Influence
Event by Amy K. Lehr , Steve Feldstein , Mike Green , Jim Lewis , and Shanthi Kalathil — February 13, 2019

Saving Lives in a time of Crisis: Why the Global Humanitarian System Matters
Event by Amy K. Lehr , Kimberly Flowers , and Mark Lowcock — February 5, 2019

A CSO Playbook to Reclaim Civic Space: Version 1.0
Report by Amy K. Lehr and Catherine Hyde Townsend — December 21, 2018

Pushing Back against Narrowing Space for Civil Society in Tunisia
Report by Yara Shahin — December 19, 2018

Polish Civil Society
Report by Barbara Smith — December 19, 2018

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

Responding to Closing Civic Space: Recent Experiences from Three Global Initiatives
Report by Fabian Hetz and Annika Elena Poppe — December 19, 2018

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

Responding to the Xinjiang Surveillance State—and Its Likely Progeny
Commentary by Amy K. Lehr — November 13, 2018
