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Join on Telegram Rabat – A coalition of associations, collectives, and civil society organizations defending the rights of persons with disabilities expressed their “deep regret” over the “offensive and shocking” remarks made by parliamentarian Aicha El Gourgi from the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) during a plenary session of the House of Representatives on October 28.
The groups said the MP used “degrading expressions” such as “the limping, the distorted, and those without legs,” describing her language as “an insult and a violation of the dignity of persons with disabilities.”
They added that the incident “reflects a worrying regression in the respect of fundamental rights” and “illustrates a normalization of mockery and humiliation, even within parliament, an institution that should stand for respect, equality, and citizenship.”
“This kind of speech is not merely a slip of the tongue,” the statement read. “It reflects entrenched discriminatory attitudes and a lack of awareness about the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.”
The coalition stressed that the remarks “do not reflect the moral or political maturity expected from elected representatives,” urging lawmakers to adopt “a discourse of inclusion and respect in all public spaces.”
It also reaffirmed that “building an inclusive society begins with upholding the values of respect and equality and rejecting any form of verbal or symbolic violence.”
The organizations recalled that such language contradicts Morocco’s 2011 constitution, which explicitly prohibits discrimination and mandates the state to ensure integration and participation of persons with disabilities, as stated in Article 34.
The statement also cited Law 31.13 on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, which prohibits any form of degrading or discriminatory behavior, as well as Morocco’s commitments under international conventions.
The signatories called on parliament to take “serious and immediate action” to address the incident, urging “disciplinary and educational measures against the member involved.”
They also demanded that the legislative institution “establish mandatory awareness programs for parliamentarians” on disability rights and inclusive language.
“Respecting human dignity is not optional,” the statement concluded. “Our society’s strength lies in its ability to respect all its members without exception. Building an inclusive Morocco begins with the words we choose and the values we uphold in our public institutions.”
Despite Morocco’s legal and constitutional guarantees, people with disabilities continue to face stigma and exclusion in everyday life, in classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces.
Many Moroccans still perceive disability through a lens of pity or discomfort rather than equality, reinforcing barriers that laws alone cannot dismantle.
The incident in parliament is not an isolated case but a reflection of the deeper social attitudes that persist beneath official discourse. True inclusion will only be achieved when respect for persons with disabilities becomes a natural part of everyday interaction, expressed in language, behavior, and access to opportunity.
