US EditionAfrica: Zambia Govt 'Postponement' of RightsCon 2026 Slammed
Rights groups said the postponement may reflect pressure over invited Taiwan participants and concerns about Zambia's tightening rights environment.
- On Tuesday, the Zambian government announced the postponement of the 14th edition of RightsCon, originally scheduled for May 5 to 8 in Lusaka, citing the need for "further consultations with all stakeholders."
- Access Now reported that foreign interference by the People's Republic of China played a role in the disruption, specifically targeting the planned in-person participation of Taiwanese delegates at the conference.
- Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana cited "pending administrative and security clearances" for the delay, while critics noted the Mulungushi Conference Center was refurbished with US$60 million in Chinese government funding.
- The Net Rights Coalition and more than 130 digital rights stakeholders stated the decision effectively cancels the summit, raising concerns about the Zambian government's commitment to free expression and assembly.
- Zambian academic Sishuwa Sishuwa suggested authorities feared the summit's delegates would scrutinize the country's human rights record, an increasingly sensitive issue ahead of August elections.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Africa: Zambia Govt 'Postponement' of RightsCon 2026 Slammed
The Zambian government's decision to postpone RightsCon 2026, effectively canceling the summit, raises concerns about the authorities' commitment to free expression and assembly and about possible Chinese government interference, Human Rights Watch said today. The 14th edition of RightsCon was scheduled to be held in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, from May 5 to 8, 2026.
Human Rights Watch
ZawyaZambia: Summit on Human Rights, Technology Effectively Canceled
The Zambian government’s decision to postpone RightsCon 2026, effectively canceling the summit, raises concerns about the authorities’ commitment to free expression and assembly and about possible Chinese government interference.
The postponement of RightsCon: Another case of the dragon’s hold on Africa?
Also read our CEO Jemimah Steinfeld’s view on the reasons for RightsCon’s cancellation The cancellation of RightsCon, due to be held this weekend in Lusaka, Zambia has come as a shock. The global conference would have brought together thousands of advocates, technologists, academics, policymakers and others concerned with issues at the intersection of human rights and technology. However, for those Zambians who are abreast of the political direc…
Zambian Government’s RightsCon 2026 Decision Draws Sharp Criticism
Citing transparency concerns, Zambia has pushed back the Summit, saying the delay was “necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure […] relating to key thematic issues proposed for discussion during the Summit.” Earlier, the technology and science minister said the pause was intended to allow for “clearances” of some speakers.
Net Rights Coalition Condemns Zambia RightsCon Cancellation Statement
The Net Rights Coalition and 132 digital rights organisations condemn Zambia's last-minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026, calling it a threat to civic space, the multistakeholder model, and Zambia's standing in global digital governance ahead of August elections.
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