In an atmosphere of grief and anger, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, along with the families of the victims of the Qali'a events, held a protest on Monday morning, November 10th, in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rabat. They demanded a "full truth" regarding the events of the night of October 1st, which the families described as "a painful night whose details remain shrouded in mystery."
The families' demands: Truth first
The families raised banners calling for a comprehensive and impartial investigation by the National Brigade for Research and Investigation, asserting that "the local investigation conducted by the Royal Gendarmerie does not meet the level of seriousness and gravity required in such cases."
The protesters emphasized that the purpose of the demonstration was to defend their children's right to justice and dignity, and that all they are demanding is a full and transparent account of what actually happened that night and the identification of all those responsible without exception.
Human Rights Activists' Account: Lack of Signs of a Serious Investigation
In a statement to the media, Omar Arbib, a member of the central office of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, explained that the families' presence in the capital was for two main purposes:
"First, to file a formal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office, and second, to meet with the association to present their account and the details of their suffering after the events."
Arbib added that the families were forced to go to Rabat after all avenues were closed to them locally in Agadir. He pointed out that the autopsy results have not been released, and the families and witnesses have not been interviewed, amid a complete absence of any progress in the investigation.
Doubts about the Official Narrative
The same spokesperson indicated that the families are demanding that the investigation be assigned to the National Brigade, considering it a neutral party, because, according to them, the Royal Gendarmerie is a party to the incident.
He also stressed that "revealing the full truth is a fundamental and non-negotiable demand," emphasizing that some of the victims were not even participating in the protests but found themselves caught up in the events by chance. Among them was a film studies student who was documenting the scene with his camera, and another young man who was on his way home from work.
This vigil comes on the fortieth day since the victims of the Qalaia events, amidst growing calls from human rights organizations for an independent national investigation to accurately determine the circumstances of what happened and ensure justice and fairness for the victims' families.
Meanwhile, official bodies continue to remain silent, further fueling public speculation about the fate of the investigation and the authorities' willingness to put an end to the ambiguity that still surrounds this case.
