Zambia Cancels World’s Largest Human Rights and Tech Summit Days Before Start

RightsCon 2026, the world’s largest conference on human rights and technology, has been abruptly cancelled by the Zambian government just days before its scheduled opening, drawing sharp condemnation from the international human rights and technology community. The government claimed the event did not “align with national values,” but critics say it is a blatant act of censorship.

A Sudden Cancellation

The Zambian government’s decision means that over 2,600 activists, technologists, academics, and policymakers who were expected to arrive in Lusaka this weekend are now stranded. The conference was set to address critical issues around human rights in the digital age, including online censorship, digital privacy, and the societal impact of technology.

Access Now, the New York-based organizer, said in a statement on Friday that it had spent months liaising with government officials to ensure transparency and mutual understanding around the conference. “We see this unilateral decision, and the way it was taken, as evidence of the far reach of transnational repression targeting civil society, and effectively shrinking the spaces in which we operate. At a time when this sector is already under immense financial and political strain, what we and our community forcefully experienced is unprecedented and existential.”

Criticism and Questions

Linda Kasonde, a prominent Zambian lawyer and civil society activist, suggested the cancellation was linked to the general election scheduled for August 2026. “We go to the polls in August. In the run-up, the government has steadily been putting in place laws that make it easier to win and entrench power post-election. Political parties and civil society have been denied the opportunity to meet in public.”

“It was a blow for Zambia’s reputation,” Kasonde added. “This was the first time RightsCon was being held in southern Africa. The government had been involved in the planning process, which took over a year, and to cancel it at the very last minute for an extremely disingenuous reason really dents the image of our country.”

Zambian news reports have suggested that pressure from China could be behind the surprise move, with several Chinese companies reportedly involved in related projects.

The Cost for Attendees

Most delegates had already booked and paid for their travel. Karna Kone from Côte d’Ivoire, who was due to join a panel on digital censorship, had spent months organizing his visa. “Travelling from West Africa is very expensive and a lot of logistical work. It’s a loss in terms of money and of energy.”

Kone, who works for the ODAS Centre — a coalition of reproductive health organizations — said it was also a loss of opportunity. “Security was the reason we were going. Our members face online harassment and physical threats because of their focus on [strengthening access to] safe abortion. RightsCon was one of very few global spaces we could connect and share our work. This was a chance to give voice to Francophone Africa. Now this conversation has been silenced.”

A Broader Pattern

The incident reflects a troubling trend of shrinking civic space across the African continent. Chioma Agwuegbo, director of TechHer, a Nigerian organization mentoring girls in technology, said: “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.”

“These constraints silence voices and weaken ecosystems working to protect fundamental human rights, including the safety and dignity of women and girls online.”

A significant number of speakers were lined up to address issues around the online censorship of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). “It is deeply ironic that a conference dedicated to strengthening rights and participation in digital spaces is being shut down in this way,” said Martha Dimitratou, director of Repro Uncensored.

The cancellation not only damages Zambia’s international standing but also raises deeper concerns about the future of technology and human rights development across Africa.

Source: The Guardian