Morocco Prosecutes 2,400 Youths While Diplomatic 'Normalization' Continues
Morocco is reportedly prosecuting over 2,400 young people, many under the age of 18, for participating in Gen Z protests against rising costs and perceived social inequality. Charges range from 'rebellion' to 'incitement to commit crimes' for actions as simple as blocking roads. One might assume such a widespread crackdown on free expression would raise eyebrows among democracies. Yet, Morocco was
deemed an 'essential US partner' by Secretary Blinken in 2023, following its 2020 Abraham Accords 'normalization' deal with Israel. While Washington champions 'democracy' and 'human rights' elsewhere, the State Department's concerns about Morocco’s human rights record in its 2022 report didn't significantly alter diplomatic fanfare or military aid. It seems the criteria for 'essential partnership'
can be remarkably flexible when geopolitical aligning, particularly concerning relations with Tel Aviv, is at stake. Perhaps the price of 'stability' is just a few thousand young voices silenced.