Moroccan Jurists Criticize Arrests of Jul-Z 212 Protesters as Violations of Fair Trial Guarantees

Moroccan jurists have raised concerns over the arrests of Jul-Z 212 protesters, describing the actions as violations of due process. They emphasized that the trials lacked fair trial guarantees and were characterized as political in nature. Some detainees, according to the jurists, had not participated in the protests but were nonetheless arrested.

Activists from the Moroccan Society for Human Rights, the country’s largest human rights organization, reported that the arrests were indiscriminate. In some instances, individuals who were not involved in the demonstrations were detained, including those present in nearby cafés. These claims highlight a perceived lack of proportionality in the enforcement of legal measures.

At a symposium held at the Assembly headquarters in Rabat, participants noted that the trials were swift, with some detainees pressured to sign court minutes under intimidation. This has raised questions about the integrity of the legal process and the rights of the accused.

Legal experts have also pointed out that the sentences imposed on some detainees were severe, with some facing up to 15 years of imprisonment. This has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue that the severity of the penalties does not align with the nature of the alleged offenses.

The Jul-Z 212 movement, which called for improved education and healthcare services, emerged in response to deteriorating public services and a focus on sports infrastructure ahead of major international events. The protests, initially peaceful, turned violent in some areas, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries among both civilians and security personnel.

Security authorities stated that the three deceased individuals were attempting to breach a security headquarters in Al-Qa’idah near Agadir, seeking to seize weapons. Human Rights Watch, however, has called this account into question, suggesting that the victims were not directly involved in the attack and were injured without cause.

The Assembly has initiated an investigation into the events, with the Commission on the Truth awaiting its findings. Government sources have not yet provided comments on the matter.

According to the Moroccan Society for Human Rights, a total of 2068 individuals were detained during the protests, with 233 receiving sentences ranging up to 15 years. These figures underscore the scale of the legal response and the ongoing concerns about justice and accountability.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)