Access Now, the organizer of RightsCon, announced the cancellation of the 2026 digital rights summit in Zambia after last-minute government intervention. The decision followed pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which raised concerns about Taiwanese civil society participants attending in person. The event, expected to draw 2,600 in-person attendees and 1,100 online from over 150 countries, was set to be Africa’s first RightsCon since 2019. Zambian officials abruptly halted plans despite months of collaboration, citing “national values” without providing specific details.

A cryptic April 28 call from a Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) official revealed the government’s intent to block the event, demanding moderation of sensitive topics and exclusion of certain communities. Access Now rejected these terms, calling the move a “red line” that undermines civil society’s right to convene freely.