The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) has confirmed that the rock art site in the Taghjijt, located in Guelmim province, has not been subjected to vandalism. The announcement follows field investigations carried out by the Regional Human Rights Committee in the Guelmim–Oued Noun region on Friday, October 24, after reports circulated alleging damage to one of the area's major archaeological sites. Earlier, local civil society activists had sounded the alarm, claiming that bulldozers were destroying parts of the site. In its official statement, the Council explained that the regional committee visited Jbel Bouadjou to assess the situation and verify the accuracy of the information shared on social media and in some media outlets. The committee confirmed that the site remains in good condition, though it observed that several rocks had been displaced from the mountain's edge, a sign that nearby activities could pose potential risks to the site in the future. The regional committee informed local and elected authorities, as well as the regional directorate of culture, of its findings. It also engaged with heritage-focused civil society organizations as part of a joint effort to safeguard this important national treasure. The CNDH emphasized that Morocco's rock art sites are an integral part of the country's heritage and collective memory, stressing that their protection is a shared responsibility among public institutions, civil society, and local communities. The Council called for stronger preventive measures to protect rock art sites in Guelmim and other regions, alongside greater public awareness of their cultural and developmental value. It underscored that preserving Morocco's rock heritage is a national duty, essential to protecting the Kingdom's cultural and civilizational identity. Finally, the Council commended the growing awareness among stakeholders about the importance of preserving archaeological heritage and urged that this momentum be maintained through a participatory approach, one that guarantees the safety of archaeological sites and protects the unique cultural character of the regions that host them.
