@humanrights.csis.org
A Global Forced Labor Import Regime Is Emerging—Can It Work? In a new publication, CSIS' @lauratmurphy.bsky.social shares her insights. Read it here: www.csis.org/analysis/glo...
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 worke...
csis.org
Andrew Friedman and Hadeil Ali tackle the question “Who Should Shape the Future of Development, and How?” in the finale of a three-part series covering the need to center rightsholders in the future of U.S. foreign assistance. Read more here: www.csis.org/analysis/who...
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 ...
csis.org
In a recent Just Security article, HRI Director Andrew Friedman and Arcadia Impact and Centre for AI and Digital Policy researcher Tara Thwing explore what Zambia's last-minute cancellation of RightsCon reveals about the structural challenges of international democracy promotion. Read more here:
RightsCon Cancellation and International Democracy Promotion
The once-lauded Zambian president's nixing of a major digital rights conference shows the risks of lionizing leaders without a backup plan.
justsecurity.org
This past Tuesday, the CSIS Human Rights Initiative and Stephenson Ocean Security Project cohosted the 2026 Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum. Watch the event or read the transcript here: www.csis.org/events/ocean...
TOMORROW | 2026 Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum There’s still time to register for the 2026 Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum!
@humanrights.csis.org · 2mo agoJoin the CSIS Human Rights Initiative and the Stephenson Ocean Security Project on June 9 for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum! This event will be held at CSIS in Washington, DC and streamed online. For both in-person and virtual attendance, register here: bit.ly/4vcUhsE
Join the CSIS Human Rights Initiative and the Stephenson Ocean Security Project on June 9 for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum! This event will be held at CSIS in Washington, DC and streamed online. For both in-person and virtual attendance, register here: bit.ly/4vcUhsE
Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum | CSIS Events
Join the CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
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In this month's Director's Note, HRI's Director Andrew Friedman shares his reflections on the recent election in Hungary and what Orbán's reaction does (and doesn't) say about how he ruled. Read it here: bit.ly/4tBDL52 Sign up here: bit.ly/4t3xhL4
CSIS Human Rights Initiative Director's Note - April 2026
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"[Hungary’s] new ruling party’s coming redemocratization and anticorruption efforts will offer valuable lessons to those trying to reverse authoritarian trends," writes @erep.csis.org expert Donatienne Ruy and Human Rights Initiative Director, Andrew Friedman. Read more: https://bit.ly/48N8l3x
Hungary After Orbán: The Hard Road Back to Democracy
The road back to democracy from authoritarianism is a difficult one, filled with fits and starts that thwart even the best attempts; Hungary holds some lessons for others trying to walk that path back...
csis.org
In a new HRI report, "The Sanctions Switch: Zimbabwe as a Model for a New Approach," Judd Devermont and Brad Brooks-Rubin dig into what it means to reimagine dated or ineffective programs when they no longer help achieve a policy goal. Read it here: bit.ly/4cBVkfo
The Sanctions Switch: Zimbabwe as a Model for a New Approach
Two years ago, the U.S. government took an action it almost never takes and sunset an economic sanctions program that was past its prime. Why? Instead of sticking to the status quo, officials recogniz...
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New analysis from @csis.org unites Global Development Department leaders to examine policy challenges shaping post-conflict recovery. @humanrights.csis.org Director Andrew Friedman emphasizes that the U.S. must maintain strong civil society ties to ensure stability. www.csis.org/analysis/can...
Can the United States Enable Post-Conflict Stability?
When the United States takes military action, how can it help countries go from that military action to prosperity, democracy, and stability?
csis.org
Check out HRI Non-Resident Senior Associate @lauratmurphy.bsky.social 's conversation on the Harvard Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights’ Justice Matters podcast discussing freedom movements, human rights challenges, and sustaining hope amid backlash. Listen here! www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr...
Uncovering Forced Labor
Together they discuss: what led Laura to this work, the role of storytelling in human rights work, the complexity of violence in freedom movements, the terminology and uses of “forced labor” and “modern slavery”, forced labor among the Uyghur population in China, difficulties faced by academics and activists in addressing human rights abuses, and hope amidst the backlash.
hks.harvard.edu
“Chaos empowers malign actors—and makes the vulnerable more vulnerable.” In a @csis.org short, @humanrights.csis.org Andrew Friedman breaks down how the war in Iran impacts civil society and why the U.S. must consider how its strategies shape the aftermath. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5bp...
Iran War Fueling a New Wave of Repression | Asked & Answered
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtube.com
Check out HRI's March Director's Note to find reflections on the implications of US action in Iran and Venezuela for those working for human rights and democracy as well as read about HRI's goings-on. Read it here: bit.ly/4d5Bee7 Sign up here: bit.ly/3PvyooW
CSIS Human Rights Initiative Director's Note - March 2026
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What does a new era of global development look like? Join the CSIS Global Development Department (GDD) on Tuesday, February 10, from 4–6:30 pm ET for the launch of the department’s inaugural report, A New Landscape for Development. Register here: bit.ly/4cbfi0z
A New Landscape for Development | CSIS Events
Join the CSIS Global Development Department for the launch of A New Landscape for Development. This event will examine recent U.S. foreign assistance shifts and what they mean for the future of global...
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As governments race to secure critical minerals, Brad Brooks-Rubin's new Just Security piece cautions against repeating past mistakes. He argues that broad certification regimes often become paper exercises, while minerals from high-risk regions continue to flow. www.justsecurity.org/129008/miner...
Getting Critical Minerals Certification and Due Diligence Right In the DRC-Rwanda Accord and Beyond (With a Lesson from a Punk Band?)
Concentrating on decision-making, investment, and accountability will lead to more impactful minerals agreements in DRC-Rwanda and others.
justsecurity.org
Though the United States remains engaged in major UN institutions, it is withdrawing from many smaller bodies. CSIS HRI’s Allison Lombardo examines what this selective disengagement means for the future of U.S. influence and multilateralism. www.csis.org/analysis/opt...
Opting Out: United States to Stop Engaging with More UN Entities
Prioritizing and refining the coalitions and organizations an administration engages with makes sense, but budget cuts and an anti-multilateralism philosophy come with risks and mean a broader rupture...
csis.org
In a new @justsecurity.org analysis, Friedman and Hart analyze how aid shrinkages and closing civic space will increase risk but provide opportunities for human rights defenders in the years ahead. www.justsecurity.org/128753/who-w...
Who Will Stand Up for Human Rights in 2026 – and How?
The deterioration in human rights in 2025 heightens the risks for defenders going forward, with fewer resources to combat the threats.
justsecurity.org
As U.S. foreign aid shifts into State, what happens to local input? Friedman and George examine impacts on localization, expertise, and access. www.csis.org/analysis/why...
Why Losing Local Voices in Foreign Aid–Diplomacy Mergers Threatens National Security
Merging USAID’s functions with those of the State Department could weaken U.S. foreign policy, potentially reducing local input in the policymaking process and eroding access, context, and long-term r...
csis.org
Today marks the 75th International Human Rights Day. In a new video, @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social and Anne Frederick from the CSIS Human Rights Initiative share the history of the day, why we observe it, and the state of human rights in the world today. Watch it here: bit.ly/4s4WTrY
Human Rights in 2025: The 75th International Human Rights Day
On the 75th International Human Rights Day, Andrew Friedman and Anne Frederick share the history the day, why we observe it, and the state of human rights in the world today. --------------------------------------------- A nonpartisan institution, CSIS is the top national security think tank in the world. Visit www.csis.org to find more of our work as we bring bipartisan solutions to the world's greatest challenges. Want to see more videos and virtual events? Subscribe to this channel and turn on notifications: https://cs.is/2dCfTve Follow CSIS on: • Twitter: https://twitter.com/csis • Facebook: https://facebook.com/CSIS.org • Instagram: https://instagram.com/csis/
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Today, Dec. 9 3pm ET, the CSIS HRI and Coalition to End Forced Labor in the Uyghur Region will host Three Years of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act: Assessing the Impact Please note registration to attend in-person is closed, but please join us virtually. www.csis.org/events/three...
Three Years of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act: Assessing the Impact | CSIS Events
Join us on Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day for a discussion on the impact of the UFLPA after three years, the future of UFLPA implementation, and the effects of UFLPA on global forced labor legislatio...
csis.org
What do foreign assistance cuts mean for human rights, democratic governance, and the sustainability of global development? CSIS’s GDD has released A New Landscape for Development- examining how shifts in foreign assistance are changing U.S. engagement globally. features.csis.org/impacts-capa...
Examining Impacts, Capabilities, and Opportunities
Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. This compendium dives deep into the impacts on fields across the development ecosystem and pote...
features.csis.org
On Dec. 9, CSIS HRI hosts Dr. Laura Murphy, Jewher Ilham, and Anasuya Syam to explore how three years of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) have transformed the future of global supply chains and forced labor accountability. Register Here. www.csis.org/events/three...
Three Years of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act: Assessing the Impact | CSIS Events
Join us on Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day for a discussion on the impact of the UFLPA after three years, the future of UFLPA implementation, and the effects of UFLPA on global forced labor legislatio...
csis.org
Can the United States help defuse one of Africa’s most consequential resource conflicts, and what would a lasting deal mean for regional stability? CSIS HRI Senior Associate @Allomby and Peter Quaranto explore these questions in Just Security: bit.ly/47WIEMH
The Brewing Egypt-Ethiopia Nile River Conflict is Ripe for “Solving”
An agreement to resolve the dam conflict has long been drafted. Trump could be the "closer" engaging Presidents Abiy and el-Sisi for a deal.
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In this moment of flux, will the same model of development move forward, content to do “less with less,” or will a model emerge with a new approach to maximize resources? Either effort requires considerable consultation and input from those most impacted by foreign assistance. bit.ly/42vmgbh
Shifting Power: The Next Phase of U.S. Foreign Assistance
This moment of tremendous flux creates an existential question for development practitioners. That is, will the same model move forward, content to do “less with less,” or will a new model take hold t...
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This week, President Trump spoke before the UN General Assembly for the first time in six years and delivered withering criticism of the world body, sparking questions about US posture toward the UN. HRI Senior Associate Allison Lombardo provides clarity on the state of US engagement: bit.ly/4gHGtR0
What Is the U.S. Posture Toward the United Nations?
President Trump delivered withering criticism of the United Nations at UNGA this week, but the future of U.S. contributions to the United Nations remains unclear. What will the future hold for U.S. su...
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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State published the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For historical context and the significance of the reports, read our Critical Questions on what the reports are and how they've changed over the years: bit.ly/3GpExyt
What Are the U.S. Department of State Human Rights Reports?
The U.S. Department of State is anticipated to release its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. As many expect the Trump administration to modify this year’s reports, this CQ unpacks the ...
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Why does good governance matter for successful private sector operations, and how should the U.S. ensure stable commercial diplomacy in countries with an uncertain enabling environment? HRI's @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social answers these questions here: www.csis.org/analysis/com...
Commercial Diplomacy Needs Good Governance
Can commercial diplomacy work without corresponding good governance efforts? Corruption, labor rights violations, and general poor governance impede business operations. Who will help improve governan...
csis.org
Join this Thursday, June 5 for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum, with the Stephenson Ocean Security Project and US IUU Fishing & Labor Rights Coalition. This event will be held in-person at CSIS. Register here: www.csis.org/events/ocean...
Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum | CSIS Events
Join to learn about the changing nature of US ocean policy between the Trump and Biden Administrations and how these changes will affect regional security relationships and our ability to secure domes...
csis.org
The Trump administration terminated an estimated 211 awards to UN agencies. These cuts jeopardize U.S. leadership in the UN system and influence in the Global South. Read the latest from HRI’s Senior Associate, Allison Lombardo: www.csis.org/analysis/usa...
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 Nationas. This jeopardizes U.S. leadership on humanitarian aid, glob...
csis.org
Global civic space is closing and authoritarianism is on the rise. @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social argues the U.S. should focus on promoting democracy by empowering civil society organizations. Read HRI's latest commentary: www.csis.org/analysis/sup...
Support Civil Society, Counter Autocracy
The United States should provide robust and long-term support for civil society. Ending this support cedes the space to dictators looking to build a more authoritarian world.
csis.org