Refugees and LGBTQ+ activists facing mounting human rights strains

The cluster highlights rising concerns over the protection of vulnerable groups in Morocco. New figures from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) report nearly 18,000 refugees and asylum seekers in 2024, underscoring the scale of people seeking protection. In parallel, the case of Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, an LGBTQ+ and feminist activist reportedly facing the risk of arm amputation after imprisonment over a controversial T-shirt, raises alarms about repression and violent punishment of dissent. Together, these stories point to broader tensions between state authorities and fundamental human rights, especially for marginalized communities.