Moroccan authorities are facing severe condemnation from international human rights organisations following allegations of widespread abuse and arbitrary detention of young protesters. The crackdown targeted participants in the 'Gen Z 212' movement, which swept the nation two months ago demanding reforms in education and healthcare.
Wave of Protest Meets Brutal Crackdown
In late September and early October, Morocco witnessed its largest wave of demonstrations since the Arab Spring of 2011. The youth-led protests, nicknamed 'Gen Z 212' after the country's telephone dialling code, called for significant investment in underfunded public services.
The government response was swift and severe. Human rights groups report that thousands were arbitrarily arrested. The Guardian has received testimonies detailing how detainees were beaten and deprived of food and water for hours while in police custody.
One mother described how her 18-year-old son was arrested while eating dinner at a snack bar, not even participating in a protest. "He was hit so badly during the arrest that he even lost some of his teeth," she said. He was allegedly beaten again in custody for refusing to sign police documents related to his hearings.
Allegations of Torture and Sexual Harassment
The abuse reports extend beyond physical violence. Souad Brahma, president of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH), stated that female protesters faced "acts of harassment, insults, and crude and sexist remarks," with some reporting incidents of inappropriate touching.
Mustapha Elfaz, from the AMDH's Marrakech branch, shared horrific accounts. "We have heard horrific testimonies of torture while in police custody. Some detainees were forced to strip," he revealed. One case involved a young man and his friend being beaten with electrical wires, leaving visible marks weeks later.
The situation turned fatal on 1 October in the town of Lqliâa, near Agadir. Three protesters were shot and killed, allegedly by security forces, with a further 14 injured, including children as young as 12 suffering firearm wounds. Authorities claim officers responded after protesters stormed a local police station.
Mass Prosecutions and International Scrutiny
According to Amnesty International, more than 2,400 people are now being prosecuted in connection with the protests. The AMDH reports that dozens involved in non-violent demonstrations have been charged with acts of violence, with some receiving prison sentences of up to 15 years. The group has denounced absent lawyers during hearings, insufficient investigations, and a lack of presumption of innocence.
Ahmed Benchemsi, a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch, argued that "The government clearly got scared and orchestrated this crackdown to send a strong message that they will not tolerate any form of dissent."
These events cast a shadow as Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament. There have been renewed reports of unrest in several cities, with protesters demanding the release of those still detained. The government has announced increased spending on healthcare and education in response to the protests' core demands.
However, fear persists. Rights groups say many young people are too scared to return to the streets, citing alleged beatings and forced confessions. A lawyer in Casablanca assisting detained protesters cited "multiple procedural violations regarding arrests and police custody," with severe sentences based on insufficient evidence.
The families of the victims continue to seek accountability. Last week, six relatives of those killed in Lqliâa were detained by police in Rabat after holding pictures of their loved ones outside parliament. "We just want justice, a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible," said a relative of Abdessamade Oubalat, a 24-year-old film-maker who was killed.
