World's Largest Digital Human Rights Conference Suddenly 'Postponed'
(Thursday April 30, 2026 @05:00PM (BeauHD)
from the what-gives dept.)
- Reference: 0183076662
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/04/30/1822210/worlds-largest-digital-human-rights-conference-suddenly-postponed
- Source link:
[1]RightsCon , one of the world's largest digital human rights conferences, was [2]suddenly postponed by Zambia's government just days before it was scheduled to begin in Lusaka. Officials cited unresolved speaker clearances and "thematic issues," while Access Now said it had not yet received formal communication and was seeking an urgent meeting with the government. 404 Media reports:
> Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati [3]first announced 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." "In particular, certain invited speakers and participants remain subject to pending administrative and security clearances, which have not yet been concluded," he [4]added , according to the Lusaka Times.
>
> [...] On a popular listserv for academics, many of whom are attending RightsCon, a board member of Access Now wrote "I am told I can leak that RightsCon has been canceled. Message from [Access Now] following shortly" in a thread about what attendees were planning on doing. And in an email, AccessNow wrote: "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."
[1] https://www.rightscon.org/
[2] https://www.404media.co/rightscon-human-rights-conference-suddenly-postponed/
[3] https://www.facebook.com/Kalemba.news/posts/government-postpones-global-summit-slated-for-lusakathe-minister-of-technology-a/1302021718735254/
[4] https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/04/29/government-postpones-rightscon-2026-lusaka-summit/
> Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati [3]first announced 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." "In particular, certain invited speakers and participants remain subject to pending administrative and security clearances, which have not yet been concluded," he [4]added , according to the Lusaka Times.
>
> [...] On a popular listserv for academics, many of whom are attending RightsCon, a board member of Access Now wrote "I am told I can leak that RightsCon has been canceled. Message from [Access Now] following shortly" in a thread about what attendees were planning on doing. And in an email, AccessNow wrote: "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."
[1] https://www.rightscon.org/
[2] https://www.404media.co/rightscon-human-rights-conference-suddenly-postponed/
[3] https://www.facebook.com/Kalemba.news/posts/government-postpones-global-summit-slated-for-lusakathe-minister-of-technology-a/1302021718735254/
[4] https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/04/29/government-postpones-rightscon-2026-lusaka-summit/
Government level trolling (Score:3)
by algaeman ( 600564 )
Go on. Take the money and run
Censored by "democracy" (Score:1)
by found404 ( 5415512 )
The doublespeak: "fully [aligns] with national procedures, diplomatic protocols, and the broader objective of fostering a balanced and consensus-driven platform for dialogue." There are so many guardrails, you can't discuss the blatant disregard of digital rights by (fascist) western governments and the mainstream media that supports them. As if further proof is needed, digitalRights has been cancelled for the foreseeable future by democratic powers committing war crimes.
Maybe Zuck (Score:2)
by wakeboarder ( 2695839 )
got to them
Do digital humans need rights? (Score:2)
by jfdavis668 ( 1414919 )
Are they replacing us already?
Zambia, you say ? (Score:3)
"Human rights in Zambia are constitutionally guaranteed, but the government frequently restricts freedoms of expression, assembly, and press in practice. Reports indicate serious abuses by security forces, including unlawful killings and torture, as well as arbitrary arrests and detentions."