Lusaka, Zambia — The RightsCon 2026 summit, a major international conference focusing on human rights and technology, has been abruptly cancelled by the Zambian government mere days before its scheduled opening.
The event, which was set to take place in the capital, Lusaka, from May 5th to 8th, was to bring together over 2,600 activists, technologists, academics, and policymakers to discuss pressing issues such as online hate, internet shutdowns, AI, surveillance, and the militarization of technology. Initially welcomed by the Zambian government, the conference faced a sudden reversal when Thabo Kawana, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Information & Media, announced that the event did not align with “national values, policy priorities, and broader public interest considerations.”.
The decision has been met with criticism, with rights campaigners labeling it an act of censorship and part of a broader pattern of suppressing legitimate debate. Speculation has arisen that pressure from China may have influenced the government’s decision, as several Taiwanese delegates were expected to attend, and the conference was to be held in a venue donated by China.
The conference, now in its 14th year, had previously been hosted in Taipei. Linda Kasonde, a prominent Zambian lawyer and civil society activist, expressed concern over the government’s shift from a rule-of-law and democratic stance. “What we are seeing is a slow degradation of rights – of freedom of expression and the right to assemble, “she said suggesting the cancellation is linked to the upcoming general election in August 2026.
The cancellation has been a blow to Zambia’s reputation, according to Kasonde, who noted that the event was to be the first time RightsCon was held in southern Africa, serving as a showcase for the region. “It really dents the image of our country, “she added.
In a statement, the New York — based organization Access Now, which organizes RightsCon, expressed its disappointment over the unilateral decision, viewing it as evidence of transnational repression targeting civil society and the shrinking of spaces for operation.
The organization highlighted the immense financial and political strain already facing civil society groups.
The sudden cancellation has left many delegates, such as Karna Kone from Côte d’Ivoire, in a difficult position. Kone had spent months organizing his visa to Zambia and preparing for the conference, which was to provide a platform for sharing work on reproductive health rights. “This was a chance to give voice to Francophone Africa.
Now this conversation has been silenced, “he. Chioma Agwuegbo, director of TechHer, a Nigerian organization focused on mentoring girls in technology, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings in addressing pressing challenges. “At a time when civic space across the continent is increasingly shrinking, this incident reflects a troubling pattern where compliance mechanisms are weaponized to restrict convening, dialogue, and dissent, “she.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: The guardian
Source: Isabel Choat
