World's Largest Digital Human Rights Conference Suddenly 'Postponed'

RightsCon, one of the world's largest digital human rights conferences, was suddenly postponed by Zambia's government just days before it was scheduled to begin in Lusaka. Officials cited unresolved speaker clearances and "thematic issues," while Access Now said it had not yet received formal communication and was seeking an urgent meeting with the government. 404 Media reports: Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati first announced the postponement on April 28, saying that Zambia needed more time to ensure the conference "fully [aligns] with national procedures, diplomatic protocols, and the broader objective of fostering a balanced and consensus-driven platform for dialogue." "In particular, certain invited speakers and participants remain subject to pending administrative and security clearances, which have not yet been concluded," he added, according to the Lusaka Times.

[...] On a popular listserv for academics, many of whom are attending RightsCon, a board member of Access Now wrote "I am told I can leak that RightsCon has been canceled. Message from [Access Now] following shortly" in a thread about what attendees were planning on doing. And in an email, AccessNow wrote: "It is with heavy hearts that we share: RightsCon will not proceed in Zambia or online. We understand this news is deeply upsetting for our community and while we know everyone has questions, our goal right now is to notify you of the event's status because many of you have imminent travel plans. We do not recommend registered participants travel to Lusaka for RightsCon.

Over the last 48 hours we have experienced an overwhelming surge of support from civil society, government representatives, sponsors, and our community as a whole. For this, we wholeheartedly thank you. We'll communicate more information soon."

Zambia, you say ?

[greytree]

"Human rights in Zambia are constitutionally guaranteed, but the government frequently restricts freedoms of expression, assembly, and press in practice. Reports indicate serious abuses by security forces, including unlawful killings and torture, as well as arbitrary arrests and detentions."

Re:

[Valgrus Thunderaxe]

No different than Trumpist USA.

Re:

[ambrandt12]

Or the Biden USA, or any other Butt In Chair.
Funny how that works, isn't it?

Government level trolling

[algaeman]

Go on. Take the money and run

Censored by "democracy"

[found404]

The doublespeak: "fully [aligns] with national procedures, diplomatic protocols, and the broader objective of fostering a balanced and consensus-driven platform for dialogue." There are so many guardrails, you can't discuss the blatant disregard of digital rights by (fascist) western governments and the mainstream media that supports them. As if further proof is needed, digitalRights has been cancelled for the foreseeable future by democratic powers committing war crimes.

Maybe Zuck

[wakeboarder]

got to them

Do digital humans need rights?

[jfdavis668]

Are they replacing us already?

People laugh at "Libertarian Paradise" projects

[MIPSPro]

Sure would be nice if there was, say, a place (maybe an island) where you could go and) 1. Speak freely without fear of reprisal or jail. 2. Own property the gubmint couldn't take. 3. Defend yourself without fear.

Am I right? Oh no? You hate that idea? Fuck those libertarians and their ideals is what you hear on Slashdot. They are evil Trump aligned cavemen who want folks to have individual rights and have a government reenforce those rights. How dare they try to go off to their own islan

Re:

[Tablizer]

You are free to go off and test the idea for yourself. If and when it succeeds, and you survive, THEN we'll consider implementing it here. Science 101.

Re:

[know-nothing cunt]

I heard about a guy with an island. He had a lot of fun with all of his friends, but he's dead now.

Is it because Zambia isn't real?

[Tablizer]

Is it next to Nambia? [bbc.com]