Hirak : The 20th of July demonstration prohibited

The local authorities of Al Hoceima city announced on Monday the prohibition of a march scheduled for the 20th of July. In a communiqué sent to Yabiladi, Al Hoceima's prefecture announced that calling people to participate to a march on Thursday in the Rif capital did not respect the set procedures.

«The local administrative authorities have not received a declaration regarding this subject, in accordance with Dahir No. 1. 58. 377 published on the 15th of November 1958 concerning rallies and demonstrations. Moreover, the so-called 'coordination' behind this demonstration does not have the legal status which allows it to organize rallys, which is an explicit violation of the provisions of Article 10 of the Dahir about gatherings».

Al Hoceima's prefecture also states that said march and «after assessing its circumstances, would affect the right of the local population to a secure environment, especially during the summer season».

«On the basis of these data, it was decided not to authorize the holding of this march, in accordance with the legal powers of the local administrative authority. All measures necessary for the implementation of this decision have been taken,» continues the statement of the Wilaya of Al Hoceima.

Later in the statement, the same source «calls the potential organizers of this march to comply with this decision and calls on everyone to respect the law and comply with its provisions».