SoylentNews

canopic jug [soylentnews.org] writes:

Rightscon, a world summit on human rights in the digital age, [rightscon.org] has been canceled at the last minute through actions by its host nation's government:

It is with heavy hearts that we share: RightsCon will not proceed in Zambia or online.
We understand this news is deeply upsetting for our community and while we know everyone has questions, our goal right now is to notify you of the event’s status because many of you have imminent travel plans.
We do not recommend registered participants travel to Lusaka for RightsCon.

Over the last 48 hours we have experienced an overwhelming surge of support from civil society, government representatives, sponsors, and our community as a whole. For this, we wholeheartedly thank you. We’ll communicate more information soon.

And there is secondhand coverage:

The Tor Project is deeply saddened by the last-minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026 [rightscon.org] in Lusaka, Zambia, and online. The right to assemble, associate, and speak freely must not be conditioned on political approval. Convenings like RightsCon are essential precisely because they create space for difficult, urgent, and necessary conversation about power, technology, rights, and accountability.

Tor's work is rooted in the belief that everyone should be able to speak freely, safely, and privately. We build tools that help people connect, communicate, organize, and seek information; especially those facing censorship, surveillance, repression, discrimination, and other forms of vulnerability. The disruption of a space dedicated to advancing these shared goals represents a serious gutpunch to the global human rights community.

— Tor Project Statement on the Abrupt Cancellation of RightsCon 2026 [torproject.org], The Tor Project.

and

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati first announced [facebook.com] the postponement on April 28, saying that Zambia needed more time to ensure the conference “fully [aligns] with national procedures, diplomatic protocols, and the broader objective of fostering a balanced and consensus-driven platform for dialogue.” 

— World’s Largest Digital Human Rights Conference Suddenly Canceled [404media.co], 404 Media.

and

The announcement came as thousands of delegates were en route to Zambia or already there.

On Tuesday, Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science offered the first hint that the conference would be cancelled, telling [facebook.com] a Zambian news outlet that participants’ security clearances were incomplete and that the government has concerns about the conference’s “dialogue.”

— Zambia cancels global digital freedoms conference days before start [therecord.media], The Record.

Previously:
(2016) Senator Wyden Calls on Digital Rights Activists to Block Legislative Efforts to Weaken Encryption - SoylentNews [soylentnews.org]
(2016) Adblock Plus Un-Invited From IAB Conference - SoylentNews [soylentnews.org]

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