Human Rights

As the United States pulls away from global multilateral institutions like the United Nations, CSIS scholars undertake research and analysis on the critical role that human rights and democratic values play in a comprehensive and sustainable foreign policy.

Photo: Eduardo Soteras/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Photo: Eduardo Soteras/Bloomberg via Getty Images

New Approaches to Address the Role of Gold in Sudan’s Civil War

Revenues from gold are a key driver of the conflict in Sudan. Recent EU sanctions are a start, but much more needs to be done to ensure the gold trade no longer finances bloodshed in the world’s most abandoned humanitarian crisis.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Brad Brooks-Rubin — August 11, 2026

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Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

The Futures Summit Day 1

April 10, 2026 • 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Hosted by Global Development
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Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

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New Approaches to Address the Role of Gold in Sudan’s Civil War

Revenues from gold are a key driver of the conflict in Sudan. Recent EU sanctions are a start, but much more needs to be done to ensure the gold trade no longer finances bloodshed in the world’s most abandoned humanitarian crisis.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Brad Brooks-Rubin — August 11, 2026

A Global Forced Labor Import Regime Is Emerging—Can It Work?

USTR announced sweeping tariffs across 60 economies to address unfair trade practices related to the importation of forced labor-made goods. This presents significant opportunities for promoting workers' rights as well as potentially dire risks to those same rights.

Critical Questions by Laura T. Murphy — July 31, 2026

Protecting Human Rights at the World Cup: Progress on Paper, Gaps on the Ground

As the 2026 World Cup draws to a close, this article examines FIFA’s evolving commitments to human rights, its record at recent tournaments, and factors that will determine whether protections for workers, fans, and players improve, stall, or decline at future tournaments.  

Critical Questions by Gretchen Scott and Andrew Friedman — July 15, 2026

Who Should Shape the Future of Development, and How?

As aid budgets shrink and the development landscape evolves, this commentary outlines key recommendations for civil society, philanthropy, and the private sector to rebalance power dynamics and build a more equitable development ecosystem.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Hadeil Ali — June 10, 2026

Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum

Join the CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Event — June 9, 2026

Fragility, Conflict, and the Future of Aid in Turbulent Times

CSIS will examine the future of aid amid rising conflict and global disorder. Experts will discuss how displacement, changing aid dynamics, and political instability impact fragile states, exploring how organizations must adapt to growing demand and constrained resources.

Event — June 8, 2026

Nicaragua Under Repression: Human Rights, Accountability, and Exile

Join the Americas Program for a special hybrid event, featuring Jan Michael Simon, Chair of the U.N. Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN), to unpack key findings from GHREN’s March 2026 report and examine accountability, international response, and the future of human rights in Nicaragua.

Event — May 29, 2026

The Vatican Just Outmaneuvered Washington on AI

The Vatican’s AI intervention exposes Washington’s blind spot: Policymakers are debating hypothetical doomsday scenarios while missing the real crises already reshaping human dignity, work, truth, and power. Washington must move beyond abstract AGI fears and build a civil society dialogue on human dignity, supply chains, truth, and statecraft.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — May 26, 2026