Zambia Postpones RightsCon 2026 Amid Free Speech and Chinese Influence Concerns

The Zambian government has postponed the RightsCon 2026 summit, a decision that human rights advocates describe as an effective cancellation of the event. The move has sparked concerns regarding the authorities’ commitment to free assembly and expression, as well as potential interference from the Chinese government.

RightsCon, a prominent global summit focused on the intersection of human rights and technology, was scheduled to take place in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, from May 5 to 8, 2026. Following the government’s decision, the summit’s organizers, Access Now, announced on April 29 that we do not recommend registered participants travel to Lusaka for RightsCon.

Government Justification and Criticisms

In a statement issued on April 29, the Zambian government claimed the postponement was necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure […] relating to key thematic issues proposed for discussion during the Summit. The minister of technology and science stated that the delay was intended to allow for pending administrative and security clearances for certain speakers.

Human Rights Watch has challenged these explanations, suggesting the government sought to manipulate the event’s agenda.

“The Zambia government’s flimsy reasons for postponing RightsCon suggest that the government wanted to control the summit’s human rights agenda.” Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch

The decision has been condemned by a broad coalition of digital rights advocates. A statement released by the Net Rights Coalition and more than 130 digital rights stakeholders indicated that the effective cancellation of the summit raises alarms about the closing of civic space within Zambia.

Deborah Brown, technology and rights deputy director at Human Rights Watch, described the move as a terrible blow to the digital rights movement in Zambia and globally, stating that by shutting down the event, the government is blocking opportunities to strategize on critical human rights issues.

Allegations of Chinese Influence

Reports have emerged suggesting that the postponement may be linked to diplomatic pressure from China. A civil society activist on the Lusaka organizing committee told Human Rights Watch that the Chinese government expressed displeasure to Zambian authorities regarding the invitation of participants from Taiwan.

This claim was echoed by a Zambian media outlet, which reported that authorities were uncomfortable with Taiwanese delegates who might speak against China at a venue donated by the Chinese government.

The summit was slated to be held at the Mulungushi Conference Center. The facility was refurbished in 2020 with funding from the Chinese government at a reported cost of US$60 million. At the time of the refurbishment, Zambian authorities called the funding a gift from […] China and asserted there were no strings attached.

China remains a primary investor in Zambia, particularly within the mining sector, and the country is a participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Human Rights Watch noted that it has documented abusive labor, safety, and health conditions associated with Chinese mining operations in the region, though the organization stated it could not independently verify China’s specific role in the RightsCon postponement.

Domestic Political Climate and Legal Restrictions

The cancellation comes amid a tightening political environment in Zambia as the country approaches general elections in August. Sishuwa Sishuwa, a leading Zambian academic, told Human Rights Watch that authorities likely feared activists would put the country’s human rights record under scrutiny during the summit.

Sishuwa noted that Zambia has experienced severe restrictions on freedom of association, free speech, and peaceful assembly. He highlighted the use of criminal libel, sedition, and expanded hate speech laws to arrest political opponents and government critics.

Further legal pressures were introduced in April 2025, when the Zambian Parliament enacted the Cyber Crimes Act and the Cyber Security Act. Civil society organizations have argued that these laws threaten transparency and democracy and do not meet international human rights standards. The Law Association of Zambia has since petitioned the High Court to declare certain provisions of the Cyber Crimes Act unconstitutional, a matter that remains pending.

“The human rights environment in Zambia has become increasingly hostile to perceived dissent, criticism, and political opposition to the government ahead of the 2026 elections.” Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch

Global Trends in Summit Interference

Human Rights Watch pointed to previous instances where human rights and technology summits were hindered by host governments:

• In 2023, over 300 participants, mostly from the Global South, were denied entry to the RightsCon event in Costa Rica after applying for visa-on-arrival.
• In 2024, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Saudi Arabia saw censorship of human rights discussions and limited civil society participation due to fears of harassment and surveillance.

The organization concluded that these events must be hosted in nations that openly support fundamental freedoms and embrace debate on human rights.