Zambia Cancels Major Human Rights and Technology Summit Just Days Before It Was Set to Begin
Zambia cancels world’s largest human rights and tech summit days before start
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Zambia's government has abruptly canceled the RightsCon 2026 summit on human rights and technology, citing misalignment with national values. Scheduled for May 5-8 in Lusaka, the decision has drawn criticism from activists and organizers, who view it as a suppression of free speech and a setback for Zambia's reputation in human rights advocacy.
- 01Zambia's government canceled RightsCon 2026, citing alignment with national values.
- 02Over 2,600 attendees, including activists and policymakers, were expected at the summit.
- 03Critics argue the cancellation reflects a broader trend of suppressing civil society and free expression.
- 04The event was significant for addressing digital age human rights issues, including online harassment and censorship.
- 05Concerns have been raised about potential external pressures influencing the decision.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Zambian government has canceled the RightsCon 2026 summit, which was set to take place in Lusaka from May 5-8. Organizers from Access Now, a New York-based organization, were informed that the conference did not align with national values. This decision, made just days before the event, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists and civil society leaders, who see it as a blatant act of censorship. The summit was expected to attract over 2,600 participants, including technologists, academics, and policymakers, to discuss pressing issues such as online hate, internet shutdowns, and the militarization of technology. Critics like Linda Kasonde, a Zambian lawyer, argue that the cancellation reflects a growing trend of suppressing democratic freedoms in Zambia, particularly as the country approaches its August 2026 general elections. The conference was meant to showcase Zambia's commitment to human rights, making the last-minute cancellation particularly damaging to the country's international reputation. Activists have expressed concerns that this move could set a dangerous precedent for future gatherings focused on human rights and technology.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The cancellation of RightsCon 2026 undermines Zambia's reputation as a proponent of human rights and limits opportunities for civil society to engage in critical discussions.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you believe the Zambian government should have allowed RightsCon 2026 to proceed?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.



