The Court of First Instance in Rabat has issued a ruling on Wednesday to acquit 27 medical students who had been charged with insubordination, non-compliance with authorities’ orders, and participating in unauthorized gatherings.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the students’ ongoing protests over their claimed deteriorating educational conditions in Morocco’s medical schools.
The 27 students were initially detained after their involvement in a sit-in protest held outside the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceuticals in Rabat. The protest was part of a broader movement by medical students who have been voicing their education-related concerns.
This trial and the charges against the students were one of the central issues during negotiations between student representatives and the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Tensions had previously escalated when the government decided to reduce the number of years required for medical study, from seven to six years, a move that was met with strong opposition from the students. In addition, some students decided to boycott exams, a decision the government attributed to student “intransigence” and their refusal to accept a new medical training framework.
The discussions ultimately led to an agreement facilitated by the country’s Ombudsman, with the students’ concerns being addressed in the final accord. The acquittal comes as a significant victory for the students, who had rallied for months.
The public’s role in these protests has been significant, with many organizations, including student unions, urging the government to respect the right to peaceful protest and to resolve the ongoing crisis that affects thousands of medical students across the country.
The protests have drawn attention to the broader problems within Morocco’s medical education system, which some argue jeopardizes not only the students’ futures but also the future of Morocco’s healthcare system.
The situation has added pressure on students and the government, as public opinion grows concerned about the future of Morocco’s medical workforce and the quality of its healthcare system.