Mothers Unite in Rabat to Advocate for Their Detained Sons

On a recent Saturday, a poignant gathering took place in Rabat, where approximately thirty mothers rallied in front of the Parliament to demand the release of their sons who have been detained in connection with the protests led by the "Generation Z" movement in Morocco. Coordinated by Hakim Sikok, who heads the National Committee for Supporting Victims of the Repression of the 'Generation Z' Movement, the event highlighted the plight of around 750 individuals still imprisoned, including minors and those yet to be tried. Sikok emphasized the alarming violations observed during these detentions and reiterated the urgent need for their release.

A Year Later, Families Continue to Seek Justice

The mothers' demonstration marked the anniversary of the initial protests, which began roughly a year ago. One mother, Ilham Nikrou, expressed her anguish, stating that her son Adam has been incarcerated for a year now, passionately asserting, "We want freedom for all these youths." Another participant, Saadia Ben Ziane, shared a similar sentiment regarding her 15-year-old grandson, who was also arrested during the protests. She beseeched for divine intervention, hoping for the release of all detained individuals, similar to the fates of others who have been freed.

The "Generation Z 212" movement, which gained traction last fall through online activists, called for nearly daily demonstrations for two weeks, demanding significant reforms in healthcare and education. Unfortunately, these protests were marred by violence and vandalism across various cities, leading to the tragic deaths of three individuals and a subsequent decline in momentum.

Sikok, in his statements to the French news agency, highlighted that nearly 750 individuals remain behind bars, including those who have not yet faced trial and minors. This alarming situation follows announcements from the public prosecutor's office in October, which indicated that over 2,400 people, with around 1,400 in custody, are facing charges related to violent actions during these protests. Moroccan courts have previously handed down lengthy prison sentences or suspended sentences to hundreds, including many minors, in connection with the "Generation Z 212" demonstrations.

As reported by france24.com.