A Dark Night for Moroccan Medical Students: 15 Detained After Peaceful Protest Turns Violent
Rabat, Morocco – In a disturbing turn of events, at least 15 medical students and their family members were detained last night during a peaceful protest at the Faculty of Medicine in Rabat. The National Committee of Medical, Pharmacy, and Dental Students of Morocco reported that security forces used excessive force against the unarmed students and their parents, who were demonstrating against ongoing issues within the public medical education system.
The protest, sparked by the closure of the medical school and its heavy security presence, saw students and their families met with what the Committee described as a “brutal and barbaric” response. Eyewitness accounts detail a chaotic scene with several students injured and others fainting amidst the intervention.
The Committee, emphasizing their commitment to peaceful protest, condemned the violence and placed the blame squarely on the government. They specifically called out the Prime Minister and the Minister of Higher Education, demanding a formal apology for the excessive force used against the students and their families.
“Violence is not a solution, nor is it a language of dialogue,” the Committee stated, highlighting the escalating tension and frustration felt by aspiring medical professionals in Morocco. This incident echoes a global trend of student activism met with heavy-handed responses, raising concerns about freedom of assembly and expression.
The Committee’s statement further criticized the government’s “repressive approach,” which they believe has reached a tipping point by violating the dignity of medical students and their parents. They called for the immediate release of all those detained and urged the government to engage in constructive dialogue to address the concerns that led to the protest.
This incident has ignited a wave of solidarity within the Moroccan academic community. The Committee called for nationwide protests at university hospitals, urging medical, pharmacy, and dental students, professors, healthcare workers, and students from all disciplines to join them in denouncing the violence and demanding a swift resolution to the ongoing crisis in medical education.
This developing story highlights the growing unrest among Moroccan students who feel increasingly unheard and disregarded. As the situation unfolds, the world will be watching to see how the Moroccan government responds to these demands for accountability and change.
