**Rabat, Morocco** – A wave of demonstrations that swept across Morocco in late September and early October has culminated in grave accusations against the state, with human rights organisations alleging widespread arbitrary detention, brutal mistreatment, and unfair prosecution of participants. Gen Z youth, protesting perceived deficiencies in public healthcare and education, have reportedly borne the brunt of a heavy-handed response from security forces, leading to international condemnation.
The Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH) and Amnesty International have presented a disturbing catalogue of alleged abuses, painting a grim picture of the state's reaction to the nascent protest movement. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals were apprehended in connection with the demonstrations, with some languishing in police custody for over two months. The circumstances surrounding these arrests are frequently described as arbitrary, with one mother recounting how her 18-year-old son was detained whilst simply having dinner at a local eatery, far removed from any organised protest.
The allegations of mistreatment within police facilities are particularly harrowing. Detainees are said to have endured "horrific" physical assaults, deprived of sustenance and hydration, and in some instances, suffered severe injuries such as losing teeth due to beatings. Female protesters have not been spared, reportedly facing a barrage of harassment, including crude and sexist remarks and unwanted physical contact, as detailed by Souad Brahma, the president of AMDH. These accounts underscore a systemic failure to uphold basic human dignity and the rule of law.
The crackdown appears to have extended beyond mere detention. In the town of Lqliâa, near Agadir, a protest on October 1st allegedly resulted in three individuals losing their lives, purportedly at the hands of security forces. Furthermore, fourteen others, including minors, are reported to have sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, with authorities citing the protesters' alleged storming of a police station as justification for their actions. The sheer scale of the legal repercussions is also alarming, with over 2,400 individuals now facing prosecution. A significant number of these are reportedly charged with acts of violence, despite claims that their participation in the demonstrations was entirely peaceful.
The judicial process itself has come under intense scrutiny. Human rights observers have denounced the absence of legal representation during hearings, the perceived insufficiency of investigations into the alleged abuses, and a general disregard for the principle of presumption of innocence. This has led to dozens of individuals receiving substantial prison sentences, some as long as 15 years, raising serious concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the Moroccan justice system.
These events unfold against a backdrop of significant national and international attention, as Morocco gears up to host the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The stark contrast between the nation's aspirations to project an image of progress and stability, and these deeply troubling human rights allegations, presents a considerable challenge for the Moroccan government. The ongoing detention of hundreds, including children, and the lengthy sentences handed down, cast a long shadow over the country's commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights.