By Friends of Angola
Friends of Angola strongly condemns the reported interference that led to the cancellation of RightsCon 2026 in Zambia—one of the world’s most important gatherings dedicated to advancing digital rights and democratic values.
Friends of Angola members were scheduled to attend and actively participate in RightsCon 2026, contributing to critical global conversations on digital rights, civic space, and democratic governance. The abrupt cancellation not only disrupts these engagements but also undermines the inclusive, multistakeholder spirit that defines RightsCon.
According to credible reporting, the Zambian government’s decision followed pressure from the Chinese government, reportedly linked to the participation of Taiwanese civil society representatives. If confirmed, such actions represent a serious breach of the principles of openness, sovereignty, and multistakeholder engagement that underpin global human rights forums. They also reflect a broader and troubling pattern of transnational influence aimed at restricting civic space and silencing independent voices.
The cancellation of RightsCon not only disrupts a vital platform for dialogue, but also sends a chilling signal about the vulnerability of democratic spaces—particularly in Africa—to external political and economic coercion.
Friends of Angola stands in full solidarity with Access Now, RightsCon participants, and all civil society actors affected by this decision. We call on the Government of Zambia and all nations to reaffirm their commitments to freedom of expression, association, and inclusive participation, and to resist external pressures that undermine democratic governance and human rights.