Zambia cancels world’s largest human rights and tech summit days before start | Global development

The world’s largest human rights and technology conference was canceled just days before it was due to start after the Zambian government told organizers the conference did not comply with “national values”.

Zambian government initially welcomed the RightsCon The 2026 summit on “human rights in the digital age” will be held in the capital Lusaka on May 5-8, but Ministry of Information and Media permanent secretary Thabo Kawana said last week the conference would not go ahead to allow time to ensure the meeting was “consistent with Zambia’s national values, policy priorities and broader public interest considerations”.

More than 2,600 activists, technologists, academics and policymakers were expected to arrive in Lusaka over the weekend. The event was to address human rights issues in the digital age, such as online hate, internet blackouts, artificial intelligence, surveillance, militarization of technology and disinformation, at a time when democratic rights, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights are under intense attack.

Rights activists called the decision a blatant act of censorship and part of a broader pattern of stifling legitimate debate.

Zambian news suggested that pressure from China might be behind the surprise move. Taiwanese delegates were required to attend and the conference was held in a venue donated by China. The conference, now in its 14th year, was held in Taipei last year.

Linda Kasonde is a prominent Zambian lawyer and civil society activist The founder of the LCK Freedom Foundation said the decision showed disrespect for human rights. “When the current administration came to power, it was a government based on the rule of law and democracy. We see that rights such as freedom of expression and the right to assembly are slowly deteriorating.”

Kasonde claimed that the move was linked to the upcoming general elections. “We are going to the polls in August 2026,” he said, and continued: “In this process, the government is steadily implementing laws that make it easier to win and consolidate power after the election. Political parties and civil society have been denied the opportunity to meet publicly.”

He added that this was a blow to Zambia’s reputation. “This was the first time RightsCon was held in South Africa and was a showcase for our region.

“It is extremely unfortunate that it was canceled at the last minute for an extremely disingenuous reason, especially given that the government was involved in the planning process for over a year,” he said. “It really tarnishes the image of our country.”

New York-based organization Access Now said in a statement issued by the Friday RightsCon organizer that it had been liaising with government relations for months to ensure transparency and mutual understanding at the conference. “We see this unilateral decision and the manner in which it was made as evidence of the far-reaching scope of transnational pressure that targets civil society and effectively narrows the areas in which we operate. At a time when this sector is already under great financial and political pressure, what we and our community are forced to experience is unprecedented and existential,” the statement said.

Most delegates had already booked and paid for travel. Karna Kone, from Ivory Coast, who will attend a panel discussion on digital censorship, had spent months preparing his Zambian visa. “Travelling from West Africa is very expensive and requires a lot of logistics. It’s a waste of money and energy.”

It’s also a waste of opportunity, added Kone, who works for the ODAS Center, a coalition of reproductive health organizations.

“The reason we went was security. Our members face online harassment and physical threats because they focus on the internet.” [strengthening access to] safe abortion. RightsCon was one of the very few global spaces where we could connect and share our work. This was a chance to make the voice of Francophone Africa heard. “This conversation has now been silenced.”

Chioma Agwuegbo, director of TechHer, a Nigerian organization that mentors girls in technology, was also scheduled to speak and said RightsCon was a rare opportunity for organizations to find solutions to pressing challenges.

“At a time when civilian space is increasingly shrinking across the continent, this incident reflects a problematic pattern in which accommodation mechanisms are weaponized to restrict assembly, dialogue and dissent,” he said.

“These restrictions silence voices and undermine ecosystems that seek to protect fundamental human rights, including the safety and dignity of women and girls online.”

A significant number of speakers lined up to address issues related to online censorship of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).

“This closure of a conference dedicated to strengthening rights and participation in digital spaces is deeply ironic,” said Martha Dimitratou, director of Repro Uncensored, which conducted research showing how tech companies regularly restrict or shut down online accounts related to SRH.

Luca Stevenson of the International Planned Parenthood Federation said RightsCon was a “critical” space for already marginalized communities “including sex workers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those seeking sexual and reproductive health.”

South African lawyer and human rights activist Sibongile Ndashe, who founded the Strategic Litigation Initiative in Africa, said the Zambian government’s move set a dangerous precedent. “If the cancellation of conferences becomes the norm, human rights groups will find it increasingly difficult to convene,” he said. “Restrictions on human rights harm those without power.”