RightsCon, a major digital human rights conference, was blocked by Zambia’s government days before opening, then fully canceled including any online fallback.
Key Takeaways
Zambia’s Ministry of Information cited “thematic issues” and unresolved speaker security clearances as grounds for postponing RightsCon in Lusaka.
Access Now, the organizing body, confirmed full cancellation via email, advising registered participants not to travel to Lusaka.
Some speakers and attendees were already en route when the announcement landed, causing immediate logistical chaos.
Minister Felix Mutati framed the block around diplomatic protocol alignment and pending administrative clearances, not a blanket ban on the event.
The cancellation covers both in-person and online formats, eliminating any hybrid fallback option.
