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Morocco: Halt use of excessive force following crackdown on youth protests
There must be an immediate and independent investigation into the Moroccan security forces’ violent crackdown on youth protests, following credible reports that at least three protesters have been killed, dozens of others injured, and more than 400 people arrested across Morocco since late September 2025, Amnesty International said today.
The protests, described as Gen Z-led, began peacefully but the authorities responded with unlawful force and mass arbitrary arrests. For example, on the evening of 30 September, video footage reviewed by Amnesty International shows security forces deliberately driving their vehicles at protesters or violently arresting them. Eyewitnesses also described to Amnesty International how security forces forcefully arrested protesters. Over the following two nights, some violence was reported on the part of protesters, in some cases, police property was destroyed, while protests in other places remained peaceful.
“We are deeply alarmed by emerging evidence of Moroccan security forces’ use of excessive force and mass arrests of protesters and bystanders. The authorities should ensure a transparent investigation into the deaths that occurred and must respond to any incidents of violence by exercising restraint in line with international guidelines. Morocco’s authorities must ensure the right to peaceful protest is protected. No one should be punished for exercising their human rights, demanding their economic or social rights or an end to corruption,” said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
“Under international law, the use of lethal force by law enforcement officials is prohibited unless it is strictly unavoidable to protect life. Authorities must adopt all available measures to avoid resorting to the use of force, and where force is unavoidable, it should be strictly necessary and proportionate, and they must ensure it is used with precaution to minimize harm.”
Amnesty International has reviewed tens of videos circulated on social media showing security forces, sometimes in civilian clothes, forcibly arresting peaceful protesters on 28 and 29 September and taking them to police vans.
We are deeply alarmed by emerging evidence of Moroccan security forces’ use of excessive force and mass arrests of protesters and bystanders.
Heba Morayef, Amnesty International
One protester described to Amnesty International how security forces in plain clothes surrounded individual protesters: “I saw a girl who was sitting on the floor, doing nothing, not even chanting or shouting slogans get carried forcibly by security forces, she was asking them ‘what did I do?’ and saying ‘it’s my right to be here’ but they did not answer her and shoved her violently into the van.”
Another protester from Casablanca said the police were “specifically targeting anyone who spoke to the media, I saw them rush towards a person who was giving an interview to two journalists, he was speaking into the microphones when the police came from behind him and forcibly carried him away.” Some protesters were arrested as they were giving statements to the media, as captured on videos posted online.
These practices raise serious concerns about arbitrary detention, lack of due process, and the chilling effect on the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly.
Video footage reviewed by Amnesty International shows security forces vehicles drive straight into a group of protesters on the night between 30 September and 1 October in Oujda, resulting in at least one serious injury.
Such actions constitute a dangerous and unlawful use of force, placing lives at risk and escalating violence.
Intentionally using vehicles to strike demonstrators who pose no imminent threat to life is a flagrant violation of international human rights standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, which require authorities to minimize harm and protect life at all times.
Official figures indicate that 409 people have been arrested since 28 September, with at least 193 facing trial, many on bail. Lawyers Amnesty International have spoken to have said that the number still detained remains difficult to confirm because it is constantly changing.
The protesters facing trial, including minors, are currently facing charges under Article 591 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which criminalizes participation in gatherings deemed violent, despite the fact that these protesters were arrested on 28 and 29 September, before any acts of violence were reported.
“The Moroccan authorities must immediately drop charges against anyone detained solely for exercising their right of peaceful assembly. The Moroccan authorities, under international human rights obligations, must respect and safeguard the right to protest. Rather than resorting to suppression, the government should address the legitimate demands of youth for better education, equitable healthcare, decent employment opportunities, transparency, and anti-corruption measures,” said Heba Morayef.
Background
Protests erupted in late September 2025 across multiple Moroccan cities including Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Tangier, Salé, Oujda, and Rabat. The mobilization was driven by widespread frustration over failing public services, high unemployment, corruption, and vast spending on the 2030 World Cup.
The youth-led movement, identifying itself as “Gen Z 212”, has been largely decentralized and organized through social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Discord.
For several days, protests remained peaceful. Violence was only reported starting on the nights of 30 September and 1 October, when clashes escalated, vehicles were set on fire, and security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and lethal ammunition. According to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, at least 263 security force personnel and 23 civilians have been injured during the unrest.
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Georgia: Elections marred by severe reprisals and risk of further violence
Georgia’s 4 October local elections are taking place amid severe political reprisals against opposition figures and civil society, Amnesty International said.
The human rights organization has documented a sweeping campaign of repression, including politically motivated prosecutions of opposition figures, the silencing of independent media and civil society through restrictive laws and punitive measures, and the widespread arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of protesters.
“With opposition leaders jailed and civil society organizations under attack, the Georgian authorities are holding an election campaign in a context where people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are being crushed,” said Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director.
“The Georgian authorities must uphold their human rights obligations and stop the unlawful use of police force, arbitrary detentions and the torture or other ill-treatment of protesters. These abuses have already pushed the country into a deep human rights crisis following parliamentary elections in October 2024.”
Opposition leaders behind bars, dissent effectively criminalized
The misuse of the criminal justice system to sideline critics violates their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Since late 2024, dozens of political activists and protesters have been targeted with criminal prosecutions. At least 60 people have been detained on criminal charges in connection with their participation in anti-government protests, with dozens already sentenced to prison terms following unfair trials.
Among them are nine opposition figures who remain in custody. The most recent arrest, on 29 September 2025, was of politician Gela Khasaia from the Girchi – More Freedom party. He was accused of “intentionally causing minor bodily harm” during a violent incident which he claims he witnessed, rather than participated in. He reported being fully stripped, insulted and psychologically pressured while in police custody.
Civil society and independent media under assault
Independent civil society groups and media are being silenced through restrictive laws and a wide range of legal and other measures. Independent NGOs are forced to register under the “foreign influence” law and subjected to arbitrary intrusive inspections, criminal investigations and asset freezes. Several civil society groups have had their bank accounts blocked under criminal proceedings based on unfounded “sabotage” allegations, with their leaders facing repeated questioning before judicial and state bodies, and other forms of intimidation. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) announced that it will not be able to conduct electoral observation due to the repressive environment.
Independent media outlets face similar reprisals. The Mtavari Arkhi TV-broadcaster has been forced off air since 1 May 2025. Other outlets have been targeted with politically motivated defamation suits, fines and criminal probes to supress their critical reporting. Journalists covering protests have faced assault, verbal abuse, arbitrary detention and harassment by police. At least one foreign journalist seeking to cover the elections has been denied entry to Georgia.
Background
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze labelled the organizers of protests planned on 4 October as “radical” and pledged a “strict” response, which in the current context appears a thinly-veiled threat of more use of unlawful force by police.
More than 500 protesters were detained in late 2024 alone, most on spurious administrative charges. At least 300 detainees reported torture or other ill-treatment, with dozens injured during the protests or in detention, and requiring hospitalization. Pro-government groups have violently attacked demonstrators. Despite overwhelming evidence of human rights violations, not a single police officer has been brought to account.
Women protesters continue to face gender-based violence and gendered reprisals, including sexist insults, threats of sexual violence, and degrading strip searches, despite the Ministry of Justice’s June 2025 pledge to end unlawful full-body strip searches. On 8 September 2025, government supporters physically and verbally assaulted protesters and journalists, among them women, who assembled in front of the Tbilisi Mayor’s campaign office. The mayor responded to the attacks and the sexualized abuse with a misogynistic statement: “There isn’t a single woman here… it’s some other breed.”
Hundreds of civil servants have been reportedly dismissed as part of politically motivated purges.
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