Police Brutality Towards Medical Students in Morocco
The 25th and 26th of September are two unforgivable days in the minds of every medical student in Morocco. On the night of the 26th, medical students took to the streets to protest for their right to quality education. This peaceful protest was violently repressed by Moroccan police and authorities.
As dictated by the Moroccan Constitution, Article 29 guarantees the freedoms of assembly, peaceful demonstration, and association. These rights are also fundamental human rights protected by international standards.
The use of force by Moroccan authorities clearly violated these fundamental rights. The actions created chaos, causing multiple injuries and emotional trauma to students, with more than seven arrests made on the night of the 26th. But it did not stop there. The following day, during a protest organized by the National Commission of Intern and Resident Doctors in Morocco, the same scenario unfolded with even greater brutality. There were severe attacks on students and doctors, leading to 34 arrests, including 28 students, 4 interns, and 2 residents.
We condemn this excessive use of force and repression, and we firmly stand by the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech.
These recent events have only worsened an already dire situation for Morocco’s medical students. After 10 months of boycotting classes, clinical rotations, and five exam sessions, students are demanding proper medical education, especially after a decision to cancel an entire year of studies—accounting for over 360 hours of deleted coursework. The government’s unreflective decisions and lack of practical solutions have left students with no choice but to protest. The Minister of Higher Education has consistently refused to engage in meaningful dialogue, instead offering unworkable and ineffective solutions.
After 10 months of crisis, instead of seeking solutions or ways to save the academic year, the government has chosen violence by repressing peaceful protests. We call for accountability for those responsible for the violence and for the leaders responsible for this critical situation, including the Minister of Higher Education.
This is not the first time police and authorities have used force and violence to suppress protests. Morocco has a long history of oppression. Just this year, teachers, nurses, and even Moroccan children and youth have been beaten by authorities. What has occurred over the last two days is not just about medical reforms; it is part of a systemic problem in Morocco where oppression and violence remain rampant.
This incident also mirrors police brutality across the globe—in Bangladesh, India, the U.S., and beyond—where militarism has shifted from protection to becoming a tool of control and oppression. So who will protect us now?
At Politics4Her, we express full solidarity with the medical students and their demands:
Access to meaningful and comprehensive reforms that ensure the current five cohorts receive a quality 7-year degree.
The reestablishment of student councils and commissions, the only institutions that safeguard students' rights.
The reinstatement of over 12 students who were expelled from their universities.
We condemn all forms of violence and brutality. We call on civil society, international organizations, and human rights defenders to join us in condemning these actions. We urge international bodies to monitor human rights violations in Morocco and put pressure on the Moroccan government to uphold human rights standards.
#StopPoliceBrutality
#StopArrestingMedicalStudents
#Save_moroccan_medstudents
