Prague, May 12, 2026
International Coalition for Democratic Renewal (ICDR), Democratic Solidarity Africa (DSA), Democratic Solidarity Latin America (DSLA), and the Forum 2000 Foundation express deep concern over the cancellation of RightsCon 2026 in Zambia, a leading global platform for dialogue on digital rights, democracy, and the future of open societies.
According to Access Now, the organizers of RightsCon, more than 2,600 participants attending in person, 1,100 online participants, representing over 150 countries and 750 institutions, were expected to take part in the summit before its abrupt cancellation.
Credible reporting indicates that the decision followed pressure linked to the participation of Taiwanese civil society representatives, raising serious concerns about foreign interference and the growing export of authoritarian influence into global civic spaces.
The abrupt disruption of an event expected to convene thousands of stakeholders from across the world not only undermines multistakeholder dialogue but also signals a troubling erosion of the principles of openness, inclusion, and free exchange of ideas that are essential to democratic resilience.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to the international community. The increasing use of political and economic leverage to shape civic space beyond national borders poses a direct challenge to human rights, democratic governance, and the integrity of global forums.
The Forum 2000 community stands in solidarity with Access Now, RightsCon participants, and all those committed to defending digital freedoms. We call on governments and international partners to safeguard independent civic space and resist pressures that undermine fundamental rights and democratic values.
