How to Stand in Solidarity with Digital Rights Communities Facing Government Repression: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
The abrupt cancellation of RightsCon 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia, and the scaled-down U.N. World Press Freedom Day events sent shockwaves through the global digital rights community. This wasn't just a logistical disruption—it was a stark reminder of how governments can weaponize political pressure to silence dissent, exclude vulnerable groups, and shrink civic space. For activists, researchers, journalists, and technologists who rely on gatherings like RightsCon to build cross-border solidarity, share strategies, and confront urgent issues—from censorship to surveillance—the cancellation is a call to action. This guide will walk you through concrete steps to stand in solidarity with the digital rights community, amplify marginalized voices, and push back against the erosion of democratic space. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to digital rights, you'll learn how to turn outrage into effective, principled action.
What You Need
- Internet access (stable connection for research, social media, and online advocacy)
- A social media account (e.g., Twitter/X, Mastodon, Bluesky) with a public profile
- An email client for contacting policymakers and organizations
- A list of trusted digital rights organizations (e.g., EFF, Access Now, Article 19, APC)
- Basic research skills (ability to verify news from multiple sources)
- Optional: A budget for donations (even a small amount helps)
- Optional: A network of like-minded individuals or groups
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Educate Yourself on the Attack on Civic Space
Understanding the full context of the RightsCon cancellation is essential. The event was derailed after mounting political pressure, including reported Chinese government demands to exclude Taiwanese participants and limit sensitive discussions. The U.N.'s World Press Freedom Day prize ceremony was also postponed. Read statements from organizers (RightsCon official statement) and civil society groups like EFF. Identify the broader pattern: governments worldwide are restricting protest, targeting journalists, cutting human rights funds, banning youth from online spaces, and criminalizing activism. Focus on verifiable facts to avoid misinformation. Tip: Bookmark the EFF's solidarity statement as a trusted reference.
Step 2: Amplify Voices from Affected Communities
The cancellation hit hardest for advocates from the global majority—those in the Global South who rely on RightsCon for visibility, funding, and partnerships. Use your social media platform to share news about the cancellation and its implications. Retweet posts from Zambian activists, digital rights groups, and conference attendees. Use hashtags like #RightsCon2026, #DigitalRights, #CivicSpace. Amplify diverse perspectives: include voices from Taiwan, southern Africa, and other regions. Write a short thread explaining why this matters. Tip: Tag relevant organizations (e.g., @EFF, @accessnow) to increase visibility.
Step 3: Offer Direct Support to Affected Groups
Donate to organizations that support digital rights and press freedom. Many groups lost travel funding and planned sessions. Contribute to emergency funds for activists in Zambia and other restricted regions. Another tangible action: sign petitions calling for the Zambian government to reverse the cancellation or ensure future conferences can proceed without political interference. Offer volunteer skills—translation, design, research—to groups planning alternative online convenings. Tip: Even a $5 donation to EFF or Access Now helps sustain ongoing advocacy.
Step 4: Engage with Policymakers
Contact your government representatives and urge them to speak out against the crackdown. Write a concise email or letter: explain the importance of RightsCon, the chilling effect of the cancellation, and the need to protect civil society space both online and offline. Tailor your message to your country's context—if your government funds human rights programs, ask them to issue a public statement. Use open letters started by digital rights coalitions. Tip: Use a template from EFF or Article 19 to save time, but personalize it.
Step 5: Build Local Solidarity Networks
The best long-term response is to strengthen your local digital rights community. Organize a meetup or virtual discussion about the state of civic space. Invite local activists, academics, and journalists. Use the cancellation as a case study to explore similar threats in your region. Create a parallel event—an online mini-conference or watch party of recorded RightsCon sessions (if available). Document the outcomes and share them with the global network. Tip: Partner with a local university or library to host the event.
Step 6: Prepare for Future Convenings
Governments may try to disrupt future events. Advocate for decentralized, resilient conference models that reduce single points of failure. This could include hybrid formats, multiple host countries, or fully virtual platforms. Support organizations that are developing open-source tools for secure communication and event planning. Share lessons from RightsCon with other conference organizers. Tip: Follow the RightsCon 2027 planning blog to stay updated on alternative formats.
Tips for Effective Solidarity
- Persistence matters: One action isn't enough. Follow up with policymakers, attend coalition meetings, and keep the conversation alive on social media.
- Build coalitions: Work with groups outside digital rights (e.g., press freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice) to broaden support.
- Protect yourself: If you're in a repressive environment, use secure tools (Tor, Signal) and avoid discussing sensitive details publicly.
- Stay informed: Subscribe to newsletters from EFF, Access Now, and Global Voices for ongoing updates.
- Celebrate small wins: Even a single retweet or donation contributes to a larger movement. Recognize progress.