World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the world's largest coalition of non-governmental organisations fighting against arbitrary detention and torture, has urged Moroccan authorities to immediately release those arrested during the «Gen Z 212» protests, which began on September 27 in several cities, citing the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a statement published Wednesday and signed by several human rights organizations, the coalition said: «Security forces employed excessive and disproportionate force to disperse peaceful gatherings called by the youth-led 'Gen Z 212' movement», denouncing both the arrests and legal proceedings against some of the detainees. The groups pointed to video evidence showing «violent dispersals, beatings, and arbitrary arrests». The group argued that the response «breaches constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly» and «contravenes Morocco's obligations under international law, including Article 21 of the ICCPR». The coalition called on authorities to «immediately release all individuals arrested for peaceful protest or expression», to «launch an independent investigation into alleged excessive force and arbitrary arrests», and to «engage in genuine dialogue to address grievances in health, education, and employment».
