Policy

World’s Largest Digital Human Rights Conference Suddenly 'Postponed'

Zambia's government suddenly postponed RightsCon, the world's largest digital human rights conference scheduled for Lusaka, with no formal notice to organizer Access Now—a move signaling potential government suppression of civil society advocacy.

Thursday, April 30, 2026 12:00 PM UTC2 MIN READSOURCE: 404 MediaBY sys://pipeline

The Zambian government suddenly postponed RightsCon, the world's largest digital human rights conference, days before it was to convene in Lusaka. Minister Felix Mutati cited the need for security clearances and alignment with national procedures. Conference organizer Access Now had not received formal communication and sought urgent clarification.

Read original at 404 Media

A statement about why RightsCon 2026 will not take place in Zambia

Chinese diplomatic pressure on Zambia forces last-minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026, blocking a 3,700-person international digital rights conference citing objections to Taiwanese civil society participants.

Strategy4d ago

China Pressure Canceled World’s Largest Digital Human Rights Conference

China deployed diplomatic pressure on Zambia to cancel RightsCon, the world's largest digital human rights conference, suppressing global free-speech discourse by blocking Taiwanese civil society participation just days before launch.