Moroccan Rights Groups: Trials of “Gen Z 212” Protesters Marked by Violations
Moroccan human rights activists reported that arrests of protesters from the “Gen Z 212” movement in Morocco were accompanied by violations, and that their trials were political, with detainees not granted full legal guarantees. Activists from the Moroccan Association for Human Rights noted that some arrests were arbitrary, including individuals who had not directly participated in the protests but were present in nearby cafés.
The association added that the trials were swift, forcing some detainees to sign statements under pressure, with harsh sentences issued, reaching up to 15 years in some cases. The protests, which began on September 27–28, called for improvements in health and education services and criticized the government’s focus on sports projects ahead of hosting the **2026 Africa Cup of Nations and the joint World Cup with Spain and Portugal**, but in some areas they escalated into violence and looting, resulting in three deaths and dozens of injuries among civilians and security personnel.
Human rights activist Khadija Al-Riyadi stated that the authorities’ account of the violence victims contained discrepancies, noting that the injuries were in the back, suggesting they were not actively attacking. The association reported that a total of 2,068 people were detained, with sentences issued against 233 individuals, emphasizing that the state is responsible for the violence and ensuring citizens’ demands. The government expressed readiness to engage in dialogue, while subsequent protests continued peacefully.
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