Zambia Cancels RightsCon 2026, Sparking Concerns Over Free Speech and Chinese Influence
The Zambian government’s decision to postpone and effectively cancel RightsCon 2026 has raised alarm among human rights advocates, casting doubt on the country’s commitment to free expression and assembly. Scheduled to take place in Lusaka from May 5 to 8, 2026, the summit’s abrupt postponement has been met with criticism, with some suggesting potential interference from China.
RightsCon, a major global forum focused on human rights and technology, was set to bring together activists, experts, and policymakers to strategize on fostering a more open and connected digital world. However, in a statement issued on April 29, the Zambian government cited the need for “comprehensive disclosure” regarding the summit’s thematic issues as the reason for the delay. Earlier, Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Masauso Mkwayaya, had attributed the postponement to pending “administrative and security clearances” for certain speakers.
Access Now, the organization behind RightsCon, responded by advising participants not to travel to Lusaka for the event. The cancellation has been widely condemned by civil society groups, with over 130 digital rights stakeholders accusing Zambia of shrinking civic space and undermining fundamental freedoms.
A Blow to Human Rights Discourse
“The Zambian government’s flimsy reasons for postponing RightsCon suggest they wanted to control the summit’s human rights agenda,” said Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “This cancellation is a serious setback for the promotion of human rights.”
Deborah Brown, deputy director of technology and rights at Human Rights Watch, echoed this sentiment, stating, “By shutting down RightsCon, Zambia is stifling crucial discussions on some of the most pressing human rights issues of our time. This is a terrible blow to the digital rights movement, both in Zambia and globally.”
Political Undercurrents
The cancellation comes at a sensitive time for Zambia, just weeks before the official campaign period for the August 2026 general elections. Sishuwa Sishuwa, a prominent Zambian academic, told Human Rights Watch that authorities may have feared the summit would shine a spotlight on the country’s human rights record. “Zambia has seen severe restrictions on peaceful assembly, free speech, and freedom of association,” he said. “These issues would have been central to discussions at RightsCon.”
Adding to the controversy are reports that China may have influenced Zambia’s decision. Critics allege that Zambian authorities were pressured to cancel the summit due to concerns over the participation of delegates from Taiwan, a sensitive issue for Beijing. The Mulungushi Conference Center, the proposed venue for RightsCon, was refurbished in 2020 with a $60 million grant from China, described at the time as a “gift with no strings attached.”
Crackdown on Free Expression
The cancellation follows Zambia’s enactment of controversial cyber laws in April 2025, including the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act. Civil society organizations have argued that these laws undermine international human rights standards and have been used to suppress dissent. Critics say the legislation has been weaponized to arrest political opponents and curtail freedom of expression online.
The Law Association of Zambia has petitioned the High Court to declare provisions of the Cyber Crimes Act unconstitutional, but the case remains pending.
A Broader Pattern
This is not the first time RightsCon has faced challenges. In 2023, over 300 participants, mostly from the Global South, were denied visas for the summit in Costa Rica. Similarly, the 2024 United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Saudi Arabia saw limited civil society participation due to fears of surveillance, harassment, and censorship.
China’s significant economic influence in Zambia, particularly in the mining sector, has long been a point of contention. Human Rights Watch has documented poor health, safety, and labor conditions linked to Chinese-owned mines, with little government action to address these issues.
What’s Next?
The cancellation of RightsCon 2026 underscores the importance of hosting such events in countries that uphold fundamental freedoms. “The human rights environment in Zambia has become increasingly hostile ahead of the 2026 elections,” Nassah said. “Authorities must take steps to ensure the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly are respected.”
For now, the global human rights community is left grappling with the implications of Zambia’s decision, as the fight for a free and open digital world faces yet another setback.
— Reported by Nexio News
