The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has unveiled a preliminary report on the GenZ protests, revealing the detention of over 2,000 individuals across several cities. The association has called for independent investigations into these actions, holding the state accountable for alleged abuses and urging respect for freedoms guaranteed by national and international laws. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) presented on Thursday in Rabat a preliminary report on the GenZ protests that took place in several Moroccan cities. The report confirmed that more than 2,000 people have been detained, specifically 2,068 individuals arrested and prosecuted, of whom 1,088 remain in custody, 596 have been released, and 233 have already received judicial sentences. The association emphasized that these figures are preliminary, as arrests continue in several cities. It noted that authorities are still detaining individuals based on videos circulated on social media or information collected in the field by security services. According to the report, sentences handed down include four of 15 years in prison, one of 12 years, 31 of 10 years, three of 6 years, and two of 5 years, in addition to hundreds of other sentences ranging from one to three years, including those against minors in cities such as Al Hoceima. «This rapid issuance of harsh sentences is a message of intimidation to protesters and an attempt to halt demonstrations in line with the adopted security approach», said AMDH. The report revealed that over 330 minors are being prosecuted, some of whom were questioned without the presence of their guardians. While several minors have since been released and returned to their families, AMDH expressed deep concern over the continued prosecution of others on serious criminal charges, calling it a clear violation of children's rights protected by law. Details by City The report provided a city-by-city breakdown of prosecutions. In Rabat, 192 arrests were recorded; in Temara, 95 arrests were made, including nine individuals, one of them a young woman, who received one-year prison sentences. In Zagora, five cases were recorded (one in custody and four released). In Berkane, 51 individuals were arrested, 11 of whom were prosecuted in custody. Three young men received prison sentences, two for two years and one for one and a half years, while 15 minors were referred to social care institutions. In Casablanca, 80 people were arrested, including 44 prosecuted in custody. AMDH noted that some detainees were arrested in connection with highway incidents, even after proving they were not present at the scene. The association reported that most detainees were brought before the public prosecutor after the end of police custody, often in difficult conditions, whether before primary or appellate courts. Many were unable to appoint lawyers, and some families were not informed of their children's arrests until several days later. AMDH also pointed out that fair trial standards were not respected in numerous cases, citing the lack of thorough examination of charges, disregard for the presumption of innocence, and failure to investigate allegations of torture or ill-treatment, with no independent inquiries opened to date. The Association Holds the State Accountable The association held the state fully responsible for the events, including the resulting deaths and acts of violence among protesters. It stressed that the documented violations require independent and impartial investigations to determine responsibility and ensure accountability. AMDH also noted that some individuals were prosecuted despite evidence placing them far from protest sites, undermining the principles of a fair trial. In conclusion, the association urged respect for rights and freedoms guaranteed by both international covenants and national laws, emphasizing the right to organize, express opinions, and protest peacefully without restrictions. It also called for law enforcement to uphold the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality, ensuring human dignity is preserved in all interventions. AMDH demanded the opening of impartial investigations into all reported violations, the identification and prosecution of those responsible, and the guarantee of fair trials in accordance with international standards. The association further called for the release of all detainees arrested in connection with peaceful protests, including those from the Rif Movement and others detained for their opinions.
