Protecting and Advancing Individual Human Rights and Freedom
The United States was founded on the revolutionary principle that each person is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Every individual possesses an inherent, God-given dignity that can never be taken away or extinguished. And because of this intrinsic dignity, each person also possesses “certain unalienable rights,” which no government can give or take away.
Today, these fundamental rights and freedoms face significant threats. An axis of revisionist regimes—China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, supported by their allies and terrorist proxies—is actively trying to reshape the global order in ways that will favor repression and tyranny, undermining the basic civil and political rights each person is owed. Around the world, people continue to be trapped in exploitation by human traffickers in exploitation and persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Inspired by the legacy and values of Senator John McCain and Ambassador Cindy McCain, the Human Rights & Freedom Program works to combat these threats and defend the individual rights and freedom of each person. We work with American policymakers and other strategic partners to protect those facing repression, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure America’s adversaries are unsuccessful in their attempts to undermine liberty.
1 – International Labour Organization (ilo.org)
2 – Freedomhouse.org
Advancing Fundamental Rights:
Combatting Human Trafficking & Protecting International Religious Freedom
Countering Authoritarian Repression of Individual Rights
Inspired by Senator McCain’s values, the Human Rights & Freedom Program focuses on promoting a values-based American foreign policy and addressing egregious violations of individual rights by authoritarian regimes.
Business and Human Rights
The McCain Institute is pioneering new approaches to eradicate abuse and exploitation in global supply chains and is calling on businesses to protect and respect individuals’ intrinsic rights and freedoms. By elevating the voices of those with lived experience, advocates, and journalists, among others, the Human Rights & Freedom Program cultivates champions, develops tools, and educates key decisionmakers to address human rights abuses within global supply chains.
- Forced Labor Open Risk Estimation Tool (FLORET)
- Ocean Atrocities Working Group
- G7 Action
The Latest
Support Our Mission
Donating directly to the Human Rights & Freedom Program will support our efforts to implement action-based solutions at the local, state, national and international levels.