Moroccan Centre for Human Rights: Report on events at the Moroccan University of Al-Qaddi Ayad, Marrakesh, 14 May 2008

27/05/2008 | Reports

The Moroccan Centre for Human Rights issued a preliminary report on the events that took place on May 14, 2008 on the premises of the university Alqaddi Aayad in Marrakech, following a brutal intervention of a large number by Moroccan security services. This unofficial translation is made available by ASVDH:

Preliminary inquiry into the events of students in Marrakech
Moroccan Centre for Human Rights
The Commission of Inquiry

2008 / 5 / 27

Report:

After investigating the events of 14 May 2008 of the University Alqaddi Aayad and at the request of solidarity, dozens of written and oral testimonies have confirmed the following:

The university Alqaddi Aayad in Marrakech (including more than 20 thousand students) experienced on 14 May 2008 brutal interference by the various departments of the security forces (rapid intervention, dogs, cavalry, public and secret police, auxiliary forces, Fire-fighters, motorcyclists, DST, Group anti-gang police, trained dogs …) in response to a peaceful demonstration organized by local students towards the presidency of the university to ask:

• Provide the monthly allowances for students without discrimination.

• To provide financial assistance to transport for students from cities: Tata, Zakoura, Ouarzazate …
• Unification of the examinations within the Faculty, cancel: Article of the selection – the presence mandatory – sudden examinations – the eliminatory mark – cota system within the faculty.

• The resignation of one of the deans of the University « Mr. Alamrani Mohamed ZENTAR »

• The reinstatement of all expelled.

• The lifting of the militarization of the university.

• Do not force students to buy books.

• Increase the value of the subsidy to 1500 dirhams a month, widespread and accelerate the collection

• Opening of the restaurant at the university and ensure its cleanliness (previously 20 students were transferred to hospital due to poisoning on last April).

• The opening of the university for all students.

• Increase in ‘ alsa ‘ buses and lower prices.

• Solve the problem of redundant in the rooms.

• Dismantling of prostitution rings and ‘Chicha’ and cafes which organise them.
The Moroccan Centre has worked, and to avoid rumours, to verify the information coming from several parties to arrive to confirm the following facts:

• The excessive use of force (assault of rapid intervention forces on the campus after having forced the door entrance)

• Violation of the sanctity of the university campus (the hunting of female students in their domestic habits, some students have confirmed cases of resonant sexual abuse. Causing the closure of faculties of Arts and Rights during a certain time, Evacuation of the University campus)

• Violations of individual and collective security: a large hunt against students both in the University City and in the neighbouring districts (Marjanes Markets, Bab Doukkala, Bab Lekhmis, Douar Guennoun …). This large hunt eventually ended on the arrest of more than 100 students throughout the testimonies of prisoners which confirmed that they have been beaten at the level (of the neck, cheeks and blows …). Fractures and bruises on students show the magnitude of the attack which lacks any measure of compliance with standards of human rights … Some accuse the divisional ‘Mr. Elhaj CHAIEB’ to have abused his power to torture students.

• Causing physical and psychological health of students and throw a student from the fourth floor what caused him physical and psychological effects of the first degree. This student is still under intensive care … Steal money and mobile phones, sabotage of computers and burn baggage by the forces of intervention, alteration of property of the university – burning books… More than one witness confirmed an incident of a resonant sexual abuse during interrogations inside the police station in Jamaa Lefna. The victim refused to reveal her name for fear of reprisals by local authorities.

On the other hand, the following detainees continue to languish in detention with common law prisoners:

Zahra Boudkour
Alaa DARBALI
Mourad CHOUINI
Othman CHOUINI
Youssef MACHDOUFI
Mohamed JAMILI
Mohamed Elaarbi JADI
Khaled MEFTAH
Jalal ALQOTBI
Younes SALMI
Abdellah RACHDI
Youssef ELALAOUI
Hafid ELHAFIDI
Mansour GRIDOU
Redouan ZOUBAIRI
Hicham ALIDRISSI
Mohamed ALIDRISSI
Nasseur LEHSAINE

The first physical traces show (which was confirmed by the declaration of families of prisoners) that they are tortured using electric shocks, kicked and beaten by fist, spitting, insults, tire by the hair, in inhumane conditions and were unable to make a medical expertise and operations of visits of families have been sabotaged. They are accused of:

• Armed gathering
• Insults of public officials
• Establishment of a criminal gang
• Set fire
• Attempted Murder