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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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
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
