Child protection group condemns brutal gang rape at Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival
Dedicated to safeguarding children from abuse and violence, the organization declared in a press release that this atrocious act «constitutes a blatant violation of children's rights and poses a grave threat to societal security. It underscores the persistent dangers our children face due to the insufficient deterrence against offenders».
In light of these events, the human rights group affirmed its unwavering solidarity with the victim and his family, demanding an immediate and comprehensive investigation to ensure all culprits are brought to justice and subjected to the harshest penalties. «We will support the child victim and his family through legal, social, and psychological assistance», the statement added.
Furthermore, the organization urged for more stringent legal consequences for crimes of rape and sexual assault against children. It also called for the establishment of protective mechanisms to ensure victims receive the necessary psychological and social support.
It is important to note that the Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida was marred by a tragic incident last week, when a 13-year-old boy was raped by a group of young men who drugged him before committing their crime. The child is currently grappling with severe physical and psychological trauma.
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Moroccans Unite Under ‘All for Bachir' Campaign as Nation Reels from El Jedida Festival Gang Rape
Rabat – Morocco faces a moment of national horror after a 13-year-old boy suffered a violent gang rape during the annual Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida province. The boy, an orphaned teenager whose mother battles severe mental illness, fell prey to 14 men who drugged him and raped him repeatedly over several days. When the boy returned to his hometown of Youssoufia, traumatized and disoriented, he confided in neighbors, who immediately alerted the authorities and secured his transfer to Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech for specialized care. Doctors reported that his physical injuries were severe and accompanied by psychological trauma so extreme that he displayed hallucinatory behavior. The case has left a scar on the country, not only for the cruelty inflicted but also for the circumstances in which it occurred, during a public festival that attracts thousands of families. Social media erupts in outrage The rape has ignited an unprecedented wave of anger across Morocco, with citizens flooding social media under the hashtag #AllForBachir. Users posted videos of grief, fury, and disbelief, denouncing the attack and calling for justice. Many criticized the government for failing to communicate with citizens, leaving families and the public in shock and uncertainty. Voices online have demanded harsh consequences for the perpetrators. Some argue that a standard prison sentence is insufficient, proposing lifetime imprisonment or chemical castration to ensure the safety of other children. Others have questioned the morality of a society that permits such horrors, warning that failing to act decisively will only embolden abusers. On Instagram, some citizens vented their anger and despair, writing that 'strict punishments are the only solution in Morocco.' Some even declared 'death penalty' for the perpetrators. Many reflected on the terrifying prevalence of such crime, saying that 'we're living with monsters.' One netizen even wrote, 'Chemical castration and several years in prison is the only way to justice.' Most Moroccans are left in shock and anguish, unable to comprehend the enormity of the situation, their despair boiling into a single, haunting question: 'What is wrong with our country?' A systemic crisis Beyond outrage over a single rape, the case has spotlighted a systemic problem. Many Moroccans emphasize that 'there are Bachirs and Bachirats every day,' crimes that remain hidden until a single incident goes viral. The outpouring of anger reflects frustration at the lack of protective mechanisms for children and the repeated failure of social and legal systems to shield minors from abuse. Other netizens warn that Morocco cannot pursue international prestige, such as hosting the FIFA 2030 World Cup, while failing to secure the safety of its youngest citizens. The debate has shifted to the need for structural reform: better law enforcement, specialized units for child protection, and a society-wide acknowledgment of the prevalence of sexual assault. Human rights groups demand action The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has described the assault as a 'profound violation of human dignity' and called on authorities to launch an immediate and exhaustive investigation. In a statement, the group demanded that the state activate special child protection units, provide full psychological support for Bachir, and ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law. AMDH also stressed Morocco's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasizing that safeguarding minors from sexual assault is both a legal duty and a moral imperative. 'The nation must confront these crimes decisively,' said Mohamed Yassir, head of AMDH's Youssoufia committee. A national reckoning This assault exposes the grim reality that countless children endure sexual violence in silence, unseen and unheard. The hashtag #AllForBashir has become a rallying cry, demanding justice and reform. Citizens insist that awareness alone cannot suffice; Morocco must implement stringent laws, enforce protective measures, and cultivate a culture of vigilance that shields the most vulnerable. The national conversation has grown louder, reflecting a mix of sorrow, rage, and moral urgency. Public sentiment conveys that this is no longer a local tragedy; it is a national indictment of neglect, inertia, and systemic failure. Morocco now faces the stark choice to either confront the epidemic of sexual assault with unwavering resolve or allow silence and inaction to perpetuate the suffering of its youngest citizens. The world watches as the nation grapples with its conscience, its laws, and the moral duty to protect its children. Tags: All for BachirMoroccorapeSexual assault
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2 days ago
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Child protection group condemns brutal gang rape at Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival
In the wake of the recent outcry over the gang rape of a minor during the Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida, the association «Don't Touch My Child (Touche Pas à Mon Enfant)» has voiced a stern denunciation, labeling the crime as «brutal, devoid of the slightest human values or compassion». Dedicated to safeguarding children from abuse and violence, the organization declared in a press release that this atrocious act «constitutes a blatant violation of children's rights and poses a grave threat to societal security. It underscores the persistent dangers our children face due to the insufficient deterrence against offenders». In light of these events, the human rights group affirmed its unwavering solidarity with the victim and his family, demanding an immediate and comprehensive investigation to ensure all culprits are brought to justice and subjected to the harshest penalties. «We will support the child victim and his family through legal, social, and psychological assistance», the statement added. Furthermore, the organization urged for more stringent legal consequences for crimes of rape and sexual assault against children. It also called for the establishment of protective mechanisms to ensure victims receive the necessary psychological and social support. It is important to note that the Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida was marred by a tragic incident last week, when a 13-year-old boy was raped by a group of young men who drugged him before committing their crime. The child is currently grappling with severe physical and psychological trauma.
Morocco World
3 days ago
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Authorities Detain Suspect in Gang Rape of 13-Year-Old Boy at Moulay Abdellah Festival
Rabat – Moroccan authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the brutal gang rape of a 13-year-old boy during the annual Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida province. The Attorney General at the Court of Appeal in El Jadida announced on Tuesday that an adult man has been placed in police custody on suspicion of involvement in the crime. In a statement, the attorney general confirmed that the identities of other suspects have been determined and that investigations are still underway to locate them. A judicial inquiry has been opened into the case. On Monday, the child underwent a forensic medical examination and gave his testimony in the presence of his mother. Authorities stressed that judicial and security services are continuing their efforts to uncover all the circumstances and identify everyone responsible. A vile and devastating crime The case involves a 13-year-old boy from Youssoufia who lost his father and whose mother suffers from a serious mental illness. He attended the festival with a group of young men from Youssoufia, Sidi Bennour, and Sidi Ahmed. According to reports, the boy was repeatedly drugged and sexually abused over several days, beginning on Tuesday of the festival week. When he regained consciousness, he discovered that 14 men had assaulted him. After returning home on Friday, the boy revealed what had happened to his neighbors, who often care for him due to his mother's illness. They immediately reported the case to the police and took him to the provincial hospital in Youssoufia. Because of his serious condition, he was later transferred to Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech for specialized treatment. Human rights groups demand action The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has strongly condemned the crime, describing it as a grave violation of children's rights and Moroccan law. In a letter signed by Mohamed Yassir, head of AMDH's local committee in Youssoufia, the association urged the Attorney General in Rabat to ensure accountability for all perpetrators and justice for the victim. AMDH also noted Morocco's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and called for stronger protection mechanisms for minors, including special units to protect women and children from sexual violence. The group further demanded psychological support for the victim. The case has sparked anger and disbelief among Moroccans, many of whom took to social media to denounce the crime and question how such an incident could occur at a major cultural festival attended by thousands. 'We cannot stay silent about these crimes, especially the rape of minors and childs which destroys their entire lives,' a social media user said. Some also claimed that the festival has previously been associated with abuse, drug use, and superstitious practices. Tags: Child Rapegang rapeMoroccorape
