UK government warns citizens of protest risks in Morocco

The British government has warned its nationals wishing to travel to Morocco of the safety risks posed by popular protests. «Protests and demonstrations could occur across the country, particularly in large cities, often without warning», the UK Foreign Travel Office said in a recently updated travel warning.

«These events are typically monitored closely by law enforcement. While authorized protests are generally peaceful, unauthorized ones have sometimes led to clashes between protesters and police. Such gatherings can cause travel disruption in the affected areas. Avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and follow local news and directions from security officials», the statement added.

In its report presented on July 3 in Rabat, the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) recorded over 11,000 peaceful gatherings in 2023, mainly organized in Rabat to condemn soaring prices. Since the Israeli war on Gaza, launched in October, Moroccan civil society and political parties have been holding marches almost daily to express their solidarity with the Palestinians.