The Zambian government has announced the cancellation of the RightsCon 2026 summit, the largest global conference on human rights and technology, which was set to take place in the capital Lusaka from May 5 to 8. This decision came after Thabo Kawana, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Media, stated that the conference does not align with the country's 'national values.'
The conference was anticipated to attract over 2,600 activists, experts, academics, and decision-makers, addressing human rights issues in the digital age, including online hate speech, internet shutdowns, artificial intelligence, surveillance, technological militarization, and misinformation, at a time when democratic rights and the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community are under severe pressure.
Event Details
The summit was scheduled to be held in Zambia for the first time, seen as an opportunity to highlight significant issues in the region. However, the cancellation decision came as a surprise, causing discontent among many activists who viewed it as a blatant act of censorship.
Local news reports suggest that pressure from China may have influenced this decision, as a number of Taiwanese delegates were expected to attend, and the conference was to be held at a venue donated by the Chinese government. The conference was held in Taipei last year, highlighting the sudden shift in the Zambian government's stance.
Background & Context
Although the Zambian government initially welcomed the summit, the change in position reflects a deterioration in the state of human rights in the country. Since the current government came to power, Zambia has seen a decline in freedom of expression and assembly, raising concerns among activists.
Zambia is preparing for general elections in August 2026, and the decision to cancel the summit may be linked to the government's efforts to consolidate its power ahead of the elections. New laws have been imposed that restrict the ability of political parties and civil society to meet publicly, raising fears of a democratic backslide in the country.
Impact & Consequences
The cancellation of the summit is a blow to Zambia's international reputation, as it represented an opportunity to enhance dialogue on human rights in the Southern African region. Linda Kasondi, an activist lawyer, expressed concern that this decision demonstrates a disregard for human rights and reflects a retreat from commitment to democratic values.
Organizers have noted that this decision illustrates the extent to which international pressures affect civil space, as NGOs face increasing pressures in a complex political context. The cancellation undermines the ability of civil society to operate freely and complicates the organization of events focused on human rights.
Regional Significance
This incident serves as a warning to Arab countries facing similar challenges in the field of human rights. There is increasing pressure on civil space in many Arab nations, raising concerns about the future of public freedoms.
The cancellation of the human rights summit in Zambia highlights the importance of supporting open dialogue and promoting human rights worldwide, including in the Arab region, where governments must be more open to discussions about human rights.