More than 1,500 people are facing prosecution in Morocco following a month-long wave of youth-led protests calling for better healthcare, education, and an end to corruption, according to a local human rights organization. The Moroccan Association for the Defence of Human Rights (ADMH) reported that authorities have charged protesters with offenses ranging from “destruction of public property” to “organising unauthorised demonstrations” and “violence against security forces.” The group estimates that around 1,000 people remain in detention across the country.
The demonstrations, driven largely by the Gen Z 212 movement, began over four weeks ago as frustration mounted over high living costs, unemployment, and what protesters describe as an increasingly authoritarian government. The protests, which spread across major cities including Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh, initially drew thousands of young people demanding reform. Several trials have already taken place. In Agadir, a court reportedly tried 240 protesters and sentenced 39 of them to prison terms ranging from six to 15 years. Rights groups have condemned the verdicts, calling them politically motivated and urging the authorities to respect freedom of expression.
King Mohammed VI addressed the unrest earlier this month, promising accelerated social and economic reforms. The government has pledged to allocate the equivalent of €13 billion in the 2026 national budget to improve access to healthcare and education one of the protesters’ key demands. Despite these assurances, human rights advocates say repression continues. The ADMH has called for the immediate release of all detainees and fair trials for those already charged, warning that the heavy handed response risks deepening public mistrust.
Although demonstrations have recently subsided, activists say the movement has left a mark exposing widespread discontent among Morocco’s youth and sparking a national debate on social justice and governance.
