Access Now said the event was called off after pressure was allegedly applied by Chinese diplomats over the planned participation of Taiwanese civil society representatives. Access Now said the withdrawal of participation rights forced the cancellation of the gathering.
RightsCon has been positioned as a long-running global forum focused on issues such as digital rights, civic space, online safety, surveillance, emerging technologies, plus governance of the internet. Access Now said cancellation at short notice has disrupted travel plus planning for delegates, speakers, plus partner organisations already assembled for the conference.
According to Access Now, the immediate trigger involved objections linked to the presence of Taiwanese civil society voices. Access Now said overflight and diplomatic pressure resulted in Zambian authorities withdrawing support for the event, leaving organisers without a viable path to proceed.
Access Now Africa Policy and Advocacy Manager Naro Omo‑Osagie said RightsCon cancellation reflects a growing trend where geopolitics is increasingly shaping civic space. After the first mention, Omo‑Osagie said the decision represents a setback for digital rights engagement, particularly for civil society networks seeking platforms for cross‑border collaboration.
Access Now said the cancellation raises concerns about information integrity, freedom of expression, plus the ability of civil society to convene safely on sensitive global issues. Access Now called for clarity from Zambian authorities on the basis for the cancellation, plus safeguards to prevent political pressure from determining participation in civil society spaces.
The cancellation comes at a time when digital rights organisations are warning of intensifying global competition over technology governance, data policy, plus online civic space. RightsCon was expected to provide a platform for civil society, researchers, plus policy actors to engage on those issues in a structured setting.
Access Now said planning will shift toward alternative options for convening the RightsCon community, while continued advocacy will focus on protecting open civic space for digital rights dialogue.
–ChannelAfrica–
