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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Past Events

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Breaking Point: Human Rights in a Multipolar World

In an increasingly multipolar world, a growing number of authoritarian leaders seek impunity for their human rights violations by aligning themselves with great power protectors like Russia and China. This undermines the universality of the rights enumerated by the UDHR.

Commentary by Natasha Hall — November 30, 2023

Why The UDHR Still Matters

Seventy-five years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted, James A. Lewis takes stock of what it has achieved and whether its values remain relevant.

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 30, 2023

Why Responsible Mining Is a Human Rights Imperative

The UDHR can, and should, be a guiding force for the mining industry to improve its practices by preventing negative health and environmental consequences, ensuring food security, and protecting cultural heritage and biodiversity.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — November 29, 2023

Export Controls and Human Rights: An Emerging Technology Agenda

Export controls can help limit authoritarian regimes’ access to surveillance technology made in democracies, but they cannot prevent such regimes from developing and selling that technology to each other.  

Commentary by Emily Benson and Catharine Mouradian — November 29, 2023

The Right to Be Left Alone: Privacy in a Rapidly Changing World

The world is changing, but the need for privacy and human rights in a democratic society remains constant. Governments should tailor surveillance to what is necessary to achieve public interests without unduly infringing on the privacy rights of the broader population.

Commentary by Caitlin Chin-Rothmann — November 29, 2023

The Future of the Care Economy

Join the CSIS Human Rights Initiative for a panel discussion on the link between the care economy and countries’ economic growth prospects, as well as why meeting this challenge is an economic, social, and national security imperative.

Event — November 16, 2023

Event Summary: Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum

The Center for Strategic and International Studies Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative held the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum with FishWise on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Blog Post by Mariana Aziz, Jenny Barker, Alexa Cole, and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jennifer Kane, Sara Lewis, Tony Long, Farid Maruf, Jovice Mkuchu, Kate O'Rourke, Leo Pradela, Whitley Saumweber, Ian Urbina, Laura Van Voorhees — September 27, 2023

Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum- Taking Stock and Next Steps

The Stephenson Ocean Security Project and the Human Rights Initiative will host an impact event to bring together sectoral experts, government representatives, industry leaders, and civil society stakeholders to reflect on the progress made and to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead as we move towards a more sustainable and traceable seafood industry.

Event — September 15, 2023