RightsCon is an annual gathering of primarily civil society and human rights advocates, joined by business leaders, policymakers, government representatives, technologists, academics, and journalists, on topics exploring the intersection of human rights and technology. In 2025, it was held in Taipei, Taiwan and before that in Costa Rica, Tunisia, Canada, and Belgium, as well as virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The May 5-8 gathering in Lusaka, Zambia was celebrated as a historic event, being the first time RightsCon would be held in Sub-Saharan Africa.
onsdag 27. mai 2026
How China Got One of the World’s Largest Human Rights Convenings Canceled
On April 29, the shocking news broke that RightsCon 2026, one of the world’s largest human rights-related convenings, would be cancelled. On April 30, Access Now, the organizers of RightsCon, issued a statement saying that RightsCon would not take place either in-person or online. The news came less than a week before opening day and left over 3,000 participants scrambling to cancel their flights and accommodations.
RightsCon is an annual gathering of primarily civil society and human rights advocates, joined by business leaders, policymakers, government representatives, technologists, academics, and journalists, on topics exploring the intersection of human rights and technology. In 2025, it was held in Taipei, Taiwan and before that in Costa Rica, Tunisia, Canada, and Belgium, as well as virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The May 5-8 gathering in Lusaka, Zambia was celebrated as a historic event, being the first time RightsCon would be held in Sub-Saharan Africa.
RightsCon is an annual gathering of primarily civil society and human rights advocates, joined by business leaders, policymakers, government representatives, technologists, academics, and journalists, on topics exploring the intersection of human rights and technology. In 2025, it was held in Taipei, Taiwan and before that in Costa Rica, Tunisia, Canada, and Belgium, as well as virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The May 5-8 gathering in Lusaka, Zambia was celebrated as a historic event, being the first time RightsCon would be held in Sub-Saharan Africa.