Zambia Postpones RightsCon 2024: Government Cites Clearance Delays Amid Global Backlash on Digital Rights Research

The Government of Zambia has postponed RightsCon 2024, one of the world’s largest digital human rights conferences, just days before its scheduled start in Lusaka. The announcement, made by Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati on April 28, 2024, cited the need for additional time to ensure the event “fully aligns with national procedures, diplomatic protocols, and the broader objective of fostering a balanced and consensus-driven platform for dialogue.”

Mutati added that certain invited speakers and participants remain subject to pending administrative and security clearances, which have not yet been concluded, according to the Lusaka Times.

The postponement has created significant confusion, as Access Now, the organization behind RightsCon, has not yet officially canceled the event. An update on the RightsCon website stated:

“We are aware of a media announcement indicating RightsCon has been postponed by the Government of Zambia and understand the panic it must be causing for our participants, especially those traveling to Lusaka. We have not yet received formal communication from the government and have requested an urgent meeting with the involved Ministries. We are on the ground coordinating with our partners and hope to have more information today (Wednesday, April 29).”

As of April 30, 2024, no further updates have been provided by Access Now or the RightsCon team.

On April 30, 2024, the Zambian government reinforced Mutati’s statement but did not provide additional clarity. Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Media, stated:

“The postponement was necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure of critical information related to key thematic issues proposed for discussion during the Summit. Such disclosure is essential to ensure full alignment with Zambia’s national values, policy priorities, and broader public interest considerations.”

RightsCon was originally scheduled to take place in Lusaka from May 5–8, 2024.

Global Backlash and Challenges for RightsCon

The postponement comes amid growing challenges for digital human rights research globally. In the United States, researchers studying social media content moderation and related topics have faced visa revocations under the Trump administration. RightsCon has faced repeated disruptions in recent years:

• 2023: Roughly 300 participants, primarily from the Global South, were unable to attend the conference in Costa Rica due to visa-on-arrival issues.
• 2022: The conference was held in Taipei, Taiwan, but some participants had to withdraw or attend virtually after U.S. government research grants were dismantled under the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Several RightsCon participants contacted by 404 Media expressed uncertainty about their travel plans and whether they would proceed to Lusaka.

As of the latest reports, RightsCon has not responded to requests for further clarification from 404 Media.