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.

Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

Fallback Banner

Contact Information

Media Queries

Focus Areas

Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Building Sustainable and Inclusive Democracy

The HRI analyzes how the United States and other like-minded governments can build a resilient, proactive human rights agenda—one that helps inoculate liberal democratic institutions against contemporary threats, and affirms the strategic value of integrating human rights across U.S. foreign policy priorities

Photo: Adobe Stock/ Dark Illusion

Technology and Human Rights

The Human Rights Initiative considers both the promise and threat that technology poses for human rights and how it impacts civil society

Photo: EYERUSALEM JIREGNA/AFP via Getty Images

Business and Human Rights

The HRI aims to reshape the thinking of governments and businesses on the role of the private sector in strengthening human rights protections around the world, raising expectations of companies to respect international norms, and pressing for accountability by governments when they do not

Photo: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images

Responding to Egregious Human Rights Abuses

The Human Rights Initiative analyzes and draws attention to situations where widespread human rights abuses are occurring or likely, and strives to propose policy solutions and illuminate comparative lessons learned

Featured Analysis

Photo: oliver de la haye/Adobe Stock

Photo: oliver de la haye/Adobe Stock

USAID Cuts Weaken U.S. Influence at the United Nations

Recent cuts to U.S. foreign assistance made by the Trump administration include major pullbacks on U.S. contributions to the United Nations. This jeopardizes U.S. leadership on humanitarian aid, global health, and disasters, as well as strategic competition and leadership in the UN system.

Commentary by Allison Lombardo — May 19, 2025

See all analysis by the Human Rights Initiative

Past Events

See all events by the Human Rights Initiative

All Human Rights Initiative Content

Filter by

21 - 30 of 326 results

Global Development Recommendations for the Next Administration

CSIS Global Development Department experts offer an initial set of recommendations for the incoming Trump administration on how it can advance American security, influence, and relevance through engagement with low- and middle-income countries.

Digital Report by The CSIS Global Development Department — December 18, 2024

Cyber Scamming Goes Global: Sourcing Forced Labor for Fraud Factories

People from over 100 countries have been trafficked to Southeast Asia’s fraud factories. These victims fail to conform to a single profile, so survivors often face insufficient or inappropriate law enforcement responses. 

Critical Questions by Lauren Burke Preputnik, Julia Dickson, Aly Senko, and Andrew Friedman — December 12, 2024

Audio Briefs

“Cyber Scamming Goes Global”: Audio Brief with Julia Dickson and Lauren Burke Preputnik

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Julia Dickson and Lauren Burke Preputnik on their recent commentaries, “Cyber Scamming Goes Global: Unveiling Southeast Asia’s High-Tech Fraud Factories,” and “Cyber Scamming Goes Global: Sourcing Forced Labor for Fraud Factories.”

Podcast Episode by Julia Dickson and Lauren Burke Preputnik — December 12, 2024

Audio Briefs

Whither the United States on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights?

This paper briefly explores the history of U.S. positions on economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR), with a focus on developments since the Obama administration, and makes recommendations on the posture the United States should take on these rights going forward.

Brief by Scott Busby — October 23, 2024