RightsCon

Zambia's government canceled the RightsCon 2026 conference, which was to be hosted in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time, citing administrative and security concerns. Access Now, the host organization, suggested the cancellation was due to foreign interference, particularly from China, and demands to moderate human rights topics. The decision reflects a broader decline toward authoritarianism in Zambia, despite U.S. support for its democratic reforms under President Hakainde Hichilema.

Zambia canceled RightsCon, a major human rights summit, citing 'national values' and 'public interest,' with organizers attributing the move to Chinese pressure over Taiwanese participants. The article highlights China's deep economic influence in Zambia, particularly in copper mining, energy infrastructure, and healthcare, which has created structural dependencies.

RightsCon 2026, the world's largest digital human rights conference, was cancelled in Zambia days before it was scheduled to begin, allegedly due to Chinese pressure on the Zambian government. Access Now, the organizing group, was told to moderate specific topics and exclude Taiwanese participants, conditions they deemed unacceptable and contrary to their mission. The cancellation highlights concerns about transnational repression and shrinking spaces for civil society activism in the Global South.

RightsCon 2026 will not be held in Zambia as announced by the organization. The decision follows a statement from RightsCon explaining the reasons for the change in location.

The Chinese government's pressure led to the cancellation of RightsCon, the world's largest digital rights conference, after Zambian officials demanded the exclusion of Taiwanese participants. Access Now, the organizing group, refused to comply with the request.

The largest digital human rights conference, RightsCon, was suddenly canceled. The event's cancellation was reported by 404 Media and discussed on Hacker News, where it garnered 22 points and 3 comments.