The Campaign for Hong Kong

Advocating for US and international leadership and policies that advance human rights and democracy for all Hong Kongers. Join us:

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

"There are no heroes coming to save our democracy. If we are to mount a defense, it must begin with students learning the necessary skills in the classroom." Prof. Victoria Tin-bor Hui on the urgent need for democratic education in the classroom. https://t.co/MyENTuFd0v

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Reading is Fundamental. Free Speech, Free Press, Free Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s national security police have raided two independent bookstores and arrested five people suspected of committing a sedition offense.

https://t.co/cDqCbMzNsi

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Trump Says He Will Raise Jimmy Lai’s Case to Xi, as Lawmakers Press for His Release. https://t.co/uAYwsTqTQX

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Zambia was due to host #RightsCon, the world's biggest digital rights gathering, this week — but abruptly canceled the event. Organizers blame Chinese pressure for the decision. @emilyzfeng @nikkigladstone @BonnieGlaser @samuelmchu @rightscon @accessnow

https://t.co/bib9s2x5KW

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

A global human rights conference gets shut down.

Not in China.
In Zambia.

Because of China.

https://t.co/2ENLXhpEuV
#RightsCon #transnationalrepression #China #Africa

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

"The right to assemble, associate, and speak freely must not be conditioned on political approval." From our friend Isabela at @TORproject: https://t.co/PeWYETO2Od

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

"Beijing would not be a fan of #RightsCon and Beijing has a record of interference." @JFSteinfeld @indexcensorship Read: https://t.co/8EMxsn5Cra

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

"If a global human rights summit can be stopped this easily, then no international space for open dialogue can be assumed to be secure.

What happened in Zambia is not an exception. It is a warning."
#RightsCon

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Our full statement on the cancellation of #RightsCon 2026 in Zambia amidst potential PRC pressure. "Economic leverage does not stay in the market—it extends into speech, access, and who is allowed in the room."

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

"I say this not only as an observer, but as someone who has personally experienced being targeted and criticized by actors aligned with the Chinese government for my work on democracy and human rights. I know how pressure is applied—directly and indirectly—to shape public space."

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Our response asks simple questions:

What changed at the last minute?
Why was the event effectively canceled?
Whether any external pressure—including from the PRC—played a role.

If the answer is no, say so clearly.

If not, explain.

That’s how accountability works. #RightsCon

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

The government’s letter, signed by the Minister of Technology and Science and dated April 27, 2026, offers broad language—“alignment,” “consultations,” “clearances”—but no specifics. #RightsCon

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

If this is about “security,” the public deserves specifics.
If it’s not, the public deserves honesty.

This isn’t procedural.
It’s political.

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

We were preparing to travel to Lusaka for #RightsCon—the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age—along with hundreds of others. Days before it was set to begin, the Zambian government “postponed” it.

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

We've seen this before.

“Security” is one of the most effective ways to restrict freedom without saying so.
Clean. Bureaucratic. This is how civic space gets managed now. Not through bans—but delays, ambiguity, and last-minute decisions that make gathering impossible.

[The Campaign for Hong Kong @Campaign4HK]

Would you be interested in hosting a democracy defender at risk/in exile at your university? Prof. Victoria Hui @victoriatinbor at #NotreDame has created this incredible class that brings living history and current events into the classrooms. #democracydefenders