What's happened
RightsCon 2026 has been cancelled after diplomats pressure the Zambian government amid concerns over Taiwanese civil society participation. Organisers say the postponement limits on-stage discussion of key human rights themes, drawing immediate criticism from civil society groups.
What's behind the headline?
What this means for rights discourse
- Direct government intervention is affecting a major global human rights tech forum, raising questions about transparency and agenda control.
- Civil society groups view the move as a potential attempt to influence which topics are discussed and who speaks.
- The cancellation may shift discussions to other venues or online formats, potentially reducing on-site pressure and media visibility.
Who stands to benefit or lose
- Authorities avoid potential political friction by delaying sensitive discussions.
- Rights advocates argue this undermines accountability and limits international scrutiny.
- Participants and funding bodies may face reputational risk if access to diverse perspectives is constrained.
What happens next
- Organisers have not confirmed a new date; a revised plan may appear after further disclosures.
- International observers will monitor for commitments to reschedule and to safeguard free expression at future events.
How we got here
RightsCon 2026 was set for May 5–8 in Lusaka, Zambia. Officials say the postponement is to allow for comprehensive disclosures and pending administrative and security clearances for certain speakers. Access Now disclosed the cancellation and advised registered participants not to travel.
Our analysis
Reuters reports that Access Now cited a cancellation after diplomats from the People’s Republic of China were pressuring Zambia over Taiwanese civil society involvement. All Africa provides context that the Lusaka event was postponed for disclosures and pending speaker clearances, with criticism from Human Rights Watch. The two sources converge on the theme that the government’s postponement is being framed as administrative, but civil society sees it as political maneuvering affecting human rights discussions.
Go deeper
- Will RightsCon be rescheduled in Lusaka or moved to another venue?
- What explanations will the Zambian government provide about the alleged 'flimsy reasons' for postponement?
- How will civil society groups adapt to the delay while continuing advocacy on digital rights?
More on these topics
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Access Now - Non-profit
Access Now is a non-profit founded in 2009 with a mission to defend and extend the digital civil rights of people around the world.
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Zambia - Country in East Africa
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern-Central Africa. Its neighbours are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and