Moroccan advocacy groups criticize continued anti-LGBTQ crackdown
Moroccan advocacy groups have criticized continued attacks against the country’s LGBTQ community. A minor on Nov. 15 was sentenced to six months in prison for being gay and fined close to $200.
According to TALAY’AN NGO, the young boy from Ouarzazate endured a traumatizing assault and rape for more than three years at the hands of a “muezzin,” an authority figure in a mosque.
This “muezzin” was found guilty of indecent assault and rape of a minor and received an 8-year sentence. The court nevertheless sentenced the minor to prison time. “While the ‘muezzin’ received an 8-year prison sentence for his actions spanning over three years, the minor’s sentence is both alarming and unacceptable,” said TALAY’AN NGO. “Already deeply traumatized by the violence he endured, he was sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of 20,000 dirhams (approximately $200) after being accused of being gay.” TALAY’AN NGO also said the incident mirrors myriad challenges the country’s LGBTQ community is facing. “This incident isn’t isolated, it mirrors the broader challenge of outdated laws in Morocco that criminalize the LGBT+ community,” said the group. “That’s why we strongly call for the immediate release of the minor survivor.
It’s a travesty of justice that a child, already traumatized by assault, faces further harm due to outdated laws.” Due to the country’s deep cultural and religious beliefs, those who identify as LGBTQ or activists are often harassed and victimized.
