Amazigh Activists Organize Protest for Language Rights
Human rights and civil society organizations advocating for Amazigh rights are gearing up to hold a significant protest in Marrakech on Sunday, April 19, 2026. This demonstration aims to demand justice for the Amazigh language and to expedite the implementation of official commitments associated with its recognition. Various Amazigh organizations have confirmed their participation in this initiative, viewing it as a crucial means to press for the activation of laws that guarantee cultural and linguistic rights. They argue that the acknowledgment of the Amazigh language necessitates tangible actions in practice, rather than merely existing as legal texts.
In this context, Jamal Bekhouch, the president of the Moroccan Amazigh Association, criticized the obstacles hindering the application of the organic law intended to formalize the status of the Amazigh language. He emphasized that the delays in this regard have a direct negative impact on the progress towards equity for the Amazigh language in Morocco. Furthermore, he pointed out that the education sector still grapples with evident difficulties, as the widespread teaching of the Amazigh language across various educational institutions has yet to be realized. He also highlighted the challenges faced by Amazigh language teachers, who encounter issues related to marginalization and insufficient integration.
Additionally, Bekhouch noted the absence of the Amazigh language in numerous public administrations and national media outlets. He deemed these discrepancies as reflective of the slow pace in implementing policies aimed at ensuring the rights of the Amazigh language. He also addressed other pressing issues affecting specific regions, particularly in the Souss area, such as problems related to forest ownership and overgrazing. He asserted that these topics are also linked to spatial justice and the cultural rights of the local population.
On another note, he raised questions regarding the delay in establishing the National Council for Languages and Moroccan Culture, despite the law being approved years ago. He argued that this postponement impedes the reform of the linguistic and cultural sector. Jamal Bekhouch reiterated that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed, and this upcoming march is framed within legal and peaceful parameters. He stressed that the responsibility for ensuring the recognition of the Amazigh language rests with the state, as outlined in the 2011 Constitution.
As reported by trendnews.ma.
