Zambia Halts Digital Human Rights Conference, Reportedly Due to China's Displeasure Over Taiwanese Participation
The Zambian government announced the postponement, effectively canceling, the Global Digital Human Rights Conference. This decision was reportedly due to the Chinese government expressing dissatisfaction with the invitation of Taiwanese participants.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 17:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Johannesburg 1st, Comprehensive Foreign News Report) The Zambian government unilaterally announced the postponement of this year's Global Digital Human Rights Conference, effectively canceling the conference. According to sources involved in the preparations, the Zambian authorities made this decision after China expressed dissatisfaction with the invitation of Taiwanese participants.
The Zambian Ministry of Information and Media announced on April 29 that Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati had declared the postponement of the "RightsCon Summit 2026," originally scheduled to be held from May 5 to 8 in the capital, Lusaka.
The Ministry of Information and Media stated in its announcement that the main reason for the postponement was the need for more comprehensive information disclosure regarding key issues to be discussed at the summit, "to ensure compliance with Zambia's national values, policy priorities, and overall public interest." It also stated that the summit would be rescheduled to facilitate further coordination with all stakeholders.
RightsCon organizers subsequently announced on their official website that the conference would not be held in Zambia or online, and advised registered attendees not to travel to Lusaka.
Human Rights Watch issued a press release today, stating that a civil society activist involved in the organizing committee for the 14th RightsCon told Human Rights Watch that the conference was postponed because the Chinese government expressed dissatisfaction to the Zambian authorities regarding the invitation of Taiwanese participants. Local media also reported that Zambian authorities were uneasy about "Taiwanese representatives potentially criticizing China from a venue funded and built by the Chinese government."
The Mulungushi International Convention Center, originally designated as the summit venue, was reportedly renovated with US$60 million funded by the Chinese government in 2020. Zambian authorities at the time called it "a gift from China" and "without conditions."
Human Rights Watch was unable to independently verify whether China was involved in the Zambian government's decision-making. The Zambian government and the Chinese Embassy in Lusaka did not immediately respond to Human Rights Watch's request for comment.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that China is a major investor in Zambia, especially in the mining industry, and Zambia is also a partner in China's "Belt and Road" initiative. Human Rights Watch has long documented health, safety, and labor rights violations related to Chinese mining interests, some of which have harmed local populations.
Human Rights Watch believes that the cancellation of RightsCon highlights that such events should be held in countries that can openly accept human rights discussions and support the guarantee of fundamental freedoms.
The 13th RightsCon was held in Taipei from February 24 to 27 last year. (Compiler: Ho Hung-ju) 1150501
(Central News Agency, Johannesburg 1st, Comprehensive Foreign News Report) The Zambian government unilaterally announced the postponement of this year's Global Digital Human Rights Conference, effectively canceling the conference. According to sources involved in the preparations, the Zambian authorities made this decision after China expressed dissatisfaction with the invitation of Taiwanese participants.
The Zambian Ministry of Information and Media announced on April 29 that Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati had declared the postponement of the "RightsCon Summit 2026," originally scheduled to be held from May 5 to 8 in the capital, Lusaka.
The Ministry of Information and Media stated in its announcement that the main reason for the postponement was the need for more comprehensive information disclosure regarding key issues to be discussed at the summit, "to ensure compliance with Zambia's national values, policy priorities, and overall public interest." It also stated that the summit would be rescheduled to facilitate further coordination with all stakeholders.
RightsCon organizers subsequently announced on their official website that the conference would not be held in Zambia or online, and advised registered attendees not to travel to Lusaka.
Human Rights Watch issued a press release today, stating that a civil society activist involved in the organizing committee for the 14th RightsCon told Human Rights Watch that the conference was postponed because the Chinese government expressed dissatisfaction to the Zambian authorities regarding the invitation of Taiwanese participants. Local media also reported that Zambian authorities were uneasy about "Taiwanese representatives potentially criticizing China from a venue funded and built by the Chinese government."
The Mulungushi International Convention Center, originally designated as the summit venue, was reportedly renovated with US$60 million funded by the Chinese government in 2020. Zambian authorities at the time called it "a gift from China" and "without conditions."
Human Rights Watch was unable to independently verify whether China was involved in the Zambian government's decision-making. The Zambian government and the Chinese Embassy in Lusaka did not immediately respond to Human Rights Watch's request for comment.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that China is a major investor in Zambia, especially in the mining industry, and Zambia is also a partner in China's "Belt and Road" initiative. Human Rights Watch has long documented health, safety, and labor rights violations related to Chinese mining interests, some of which have harmed local populations.
Human Rights Watch believes that the cancellation of RightsCon highlights that such events should be held in countries that can openly accept human rights discussions and support the guarantee of fundamental freedoms.
The 13th RightsCon was held in Taipei from February 24 to 27 last year. (Compiler: Ho Hung-ju) 1150501