Rabat – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has deplored the surge of violence in Morocco following nearly a week of youth-led demonstrations demanding better public services.
Although the demonstrations began peacefully, outbreaks of violence and vandalism later followed, leaving three people dead from gunfire and many others injured, including both protesters and security personnel.
Gen Z 212 has disavowed responsibility for these incidents, reaffirming their commitment to non-violence: “We draw a clear line between citizens exercising their legitimate right to protest and those who engage in violence.”
“The Secretary-General deplores the violence during recent demonstrations in Morocco, reportedly resulting in three people killed and several hundred injured,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said Thursday during a press briefing.
Guterres urged all sides to ensure that protests “take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life, property, and the rule of law,” while calling for “a prompt and impartial investigation with a view to ensuring accountability.”
Haq added that Guterres “welcomes the Moroccan government’s stated intention to enter into dialogue and to listen to the voices of Moroccan youth,” signaling international support for political engagement rather than confrontation.
Youth-led protests have gripped multiple regions of the country. What began as localized gatherings has transformed into one of the most important waves of unrest Morocco has seen in recent years.
When the protests first began peacefully, they were met with a heavy-handed response from security forces. Protestors reported arbitrary arrests and incidents of police violence despite the absence of vandalism or rioting at the time.
Rights advocates argue that such crackdowns only fueled public anger, turning what began as non-violent gatherings into a broader confrontation between youth and authorities.
In a statement released today, Gen Z 212 reiterated their demands for fundamental reforms grounded in Morocco’s constitutional principles.
They called for the effective implementation of rights already enshrined in the constitution, including access to quality healthcare and education, equality before the law, and accountability of public officials.
The group emphasized that their appeal is directed to the monarchy as the ultimate guarantor of justice and stability, saying that their demands are not acts of defiance but a call to bridge the gap between legal guarantees and lived reality.
