Morocco Arrests Man for Using Violence During Protest

Teachers protest for better work conditions in Rabat, Morocco (Reuters)
Teachers protest for better work conditions in Rabat, Morocco (Reuters)
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Morocco Arrests Man for Using Violence During Protest

Teachers protest for better work conditions in Rabat, Morocco (Reuters)
Teachers protest for better work conditions in Rabat, Morocco (Reuters)

The judicial police of Rabat arrested the suspect who appeared in videos kicking teachers during the protests in the Moroccan capital last Wednesday.

The General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said that judicial police services are investigating the case and launched all the necessary preliminary research in light of data and recordings published on social media, which made it possible to identify the man.

The suspect is in police custody for further investigation, the DGSN concluded.

The Attorney General at the Court of First Instance announced the judicial inquiry into the person in question, and authorities in Rabat asserted that a probe was launched to uncover the circumstances of the incident to determine responsibilities and arrange for necessary legal action.

The Minister of State in Charge of Human Rights and Relations with Parliament, Mustafa Ramid, described the suspect's behavior as “incomprehensible, unjustifiable, and unacceptable”.

Human rights activists and the Moroccan public were relieved upon the arrest of the attacker.

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), an independent national institution, issued a statement Friday saying a number of individuals went violent during the protests, indicating that the intervention of the public forces resulted in the injury of a number of people.

The Council recalled the recommendation in its 2019 annual report, and a number of its substantive reports, on the need to subject the use of force to the supervision of the Public Prosecution.

It welcomed the statement of the Attorney General at the Court of First Instance in Rabat announcing a probe into the matter.

The Council called on the Public Prosecution to expand the investigation to include other incidents mentioned or circulated through various social media, platforms, calling upon it to publish the results of its inquiry.

The Council stressed the importance of enforcing the law and protecting public freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest.



UN Chief Says Forcing Palestinians to Move Away Is against International Law

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
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UN Chief Says Forcing Palestinians to Move Away Is against International Law

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a statement about the ongoing humanitarian situation and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 08 April 2025. (EPA)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said that it would be against international law for Palestinians to be forced to be moved away, responding to questions about a US push to take control of the Gaza Strip.

"To be forced to be moved away is something that is against international law," Guterres told a press briefing. "Palestinians must be able to live in a Palestinian state side by side with an Israeli state. That is the only solution that can bring peace to the Middle East."

Guterres also rejected a new Israeli proposal to control aid deliveries in Gaza, saying it risks "further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour."

"Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," Guterres told reporters.

No aid has been delivered to the Palestinian enclave of some 2.1 million people since March 2. Israel has said it would not allow the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza until Palestinian militants Hamas release all remaining hostages.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, last week met with UN agencies and international aid groups and said it proposed "a structured monitoring and aid entry mechanism" for Gaza.

"The mechanism is designed to support aid organizations, enhance oversight and accountability, and ensure that assistance reaches the civilian population in need, rather than being diverted and stolen by Hamas," COGAT posted on X on Sunday.

Jonathan Whittall, the senior UN aid official for Gaza and the West Bank, said last week that there was no evidence of aid being diverted.

Israel last month resumed its bombardment of Gaza after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the enclave.

"Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop," said Guterres as he again called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and full humanitarian access in Gaza.

"With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled," he said.

"As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law," Guterres said.

That means Israel should facilitate relief programs and ensure food, medical care, hygiene and public-health standards in Gaza, he said. "None of that is happening today," he added.

Israel says it does not exercise effective control over Gaza and therefore is not an occupying power.

The war in Gaza was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities.