<p data-start="84" data-end="350"><strong>A delegation from <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">RightsCon</span></span> on Thursday, October 9, 2025, engaged the <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Human Rights Commission of Zambia</span></span> in <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Lusaka</span></span> as part of preparations toward the 2026 global summit on human rights in the digital age.</strong></p>
<p data-start="352" data-end="558">The high-level meeting, held at the Commission’s Head Office, created an avenue for both sides to exchange insights on the promotion and protection of human rights within the rapidly evolving digital space.</p>
<p data-start="560" data-end="844">The RightsCon team was led by its Director, <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Nikki Gladstone</span></span>, and included African Policy Manager <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Naro Omo Osagie</span></span>, Risk and Operations Lead <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Ben Whelan</span></span>, and Communications Lead <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Igor Campos</span></span>.</p>
<p data-start="846" data-end="1067">Welcoming the delegation, the Director of Education, Training and Advocacy at HRC-Z, <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Mweelwa Muleya</span></span>, highlighted the Commission’s mandate and ongoing efforts to safeguard human rights across Zambia.</p>
<p data-start="1069" data-end="1275">He noted that the Commission was placing increasing emphasis on digital rights, access to information, and emerging technologies, describing them as critical areas in the protection of fundamental freedoms.</p>
<p data-start="1277" data-end="1505">Ms Gladstone, on her part, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and described the engagement as insightful, noting that it offered a clearer understanding of Zambia’s human rights environment ahead of the global summit.</p>
<p data-start="1507" data-end="1682">The 14th edition of RightsCon is scheduled to take place in Lusaka from May 5 to 8, 2026, marking the first time the summit will be hosted in the South-Central African region.</p>
<p data-start="1684" data-end="1920">The event is expected to convene more than 3,000 participants, including human rights defenders, policymakers, technology experts and civil society actors from over 150 countries, with an additional 2,000 participants joining virtually.</p>
<p data-start="1922" data-end="2112">Organisers say the summit will provide a global platform to address pressing issues at the intersection of technology and human rights, while fostering collaboration on innovative solutions.</p>
<p data-start="2114" data-end="2131" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Source: HRC-Z</p>