Zambia Cancels RightsCon Summit After China Push To Exclude Taiwan

The cancellation of the RightsCon 2026 summit in Zambia has triggered global concern, with fresh details highlighting both Chinese diplomatic pressure over Taiwan and the scale of disruption to one of the world’s most important human rights forums.

Organised by Access Now, RightsCon is widely regarded as the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age , bringing together activists, governments, tech companies, academics and policymakers to debate issues such as internet censorship, surveillance, artificial intelligence and disinformation. First launched in 2011, the annual event has grown into a global platform shaping digital policy and civil society collaboration.

The 14th edition, scheduled for May 5–8 in Lusaka, was expected to host over 2,600 in-person participants and more than 1,100 online attendees from over 150 countries, alongside representatives from nearly 750 organisations. It was also set to feature hundreds of sessions and multi-stakeholder discussions , including a partnership with UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day, making it a major global convergence of digital rights and press freedom communities.

However, organisers said the event was cancelled after Zambian authorities indicated it could proceed only if they agreed to exclude Taiwanese participants and limit sensitive topics , including discussions on China’s global influence and digital authoritarianism. Refusing to comply, Access Now called off the summit, describing the move as foreign interference restricting civil society participation .

The Zambia government cited national interest concerns, but reports point to Beijing’s influence, reflecting Zambia’s deep economic ties with China . The decision has drawn widespread criticism, with activists warning it signals shrinking civic space and sets a troubling precedent for global rights gatherings.

Beyond immediate fallout, the cancellation has disrupted global collaboration, caused financial losses for attendees, and dented Zambia’s reputation as a host for international events. It also aligns with a broader geopolitical pattern, as China continues efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally under the one-China policy.