CALD Attends Leading Human Rights Summit in the Digital Age

It is described as “the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age”, and it really is.

With over 8000 participants from 169 countries and 638 round-the-clock sessions, onsite and online, RightsCon 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan is one of the biggest in the series since it started 12 years ago. Over the years, RightsCon has rotated to key hubs around the world, including San José, Tunis, Toronto, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Manila, and San Francisco, and grown, both in size and in scope, to meet the evolving needs of a movement.

RightsCon convenes “business leaders, policy makers, general counsels, government representatives, technologists, academics, journalists, and human rights advocates from around the world to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of human rights and technology.”  Utilizing various formats such as fireside chats, hands-on workshops, strategic roundtables, private meetings, and a lively exhibition space, RightsCon provides a platform “where a global movement comes together to build strategies and drive forward change toward a more free, open, and connected digital world.”

For the 2025 edition, Taiwan was chosen as a venue because  it is “recognized globally for the freest online environment and greatest human freedom in Asia, a whole-of-society approach to human rights, and a vibrant civil society community.”

Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, who also previously served as chairperson and secretary general of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), delivered the keynote address during RightsCon 2025 opening ceremonies. She said: “Taiwan (still) stands at the frontier intersection of democracy and technology. We understand the immense potential of the internet and digital technologies hold for progress, transparency and empowerment. At the same time, we are acutely aware of the challenges that come with these advancements – challenges that test our resilience and commitment to a free and open society.”

In her address, Hsiao also reiterated Taiwan’ commitment to digital rights, cybersecurity and freedom of expression.  These issues were also at the forefront of the session, “VPN, theory and practice for press freedom in Southeast Asia” on 25 February, where CALD Executive Director Lito Arlegue was invited as a speaker. In his presentation, Arlegue described the regional context in Southeast Asia, particularly in relation to civil and political rights, press freedom and freedom of the net. This context, which has increasingly become more politically restrictive in recent years, necessitates the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for journalists and activists to continue doing their work.

Arlegue argued: “VPNs are an indispensable tool in the fight for press freedom in Southeast Asia. They enable access to information, protect the privacy of journalists and activists, and ensure that independent journalism can survive in environments of censorship and surveillance. While VPNs alone cannot address all challenges, their role in safeguarding freedom of expression and supporting digital resistance is invaluable.”

The next edition of RightsCon may be held in Africa in 2026.