Care2Causes
Written by: Julie Rodriguez
Egypt and Libya weren’t the only Arab nations to undergo radical reforms in 2011. In February, more than 10,000 people took to the streets in Morocco, calling for lower food prices, freedom for political prisoners and human rights reforms. The king of Morocco, Mohammed VI, responded with a new constitution and early elections, avoiding the violence and unrest that characterized so many of the protest movements in the Middle East last year.
Throughout the protests, activists blasted the music of Mouad Belrhouate, a provocative rapper better-known as El-Haked, translated variously as “the defiant one,” “the enraged,” or “the indignant.” His music directly challenges his country’s government and monarchy, delivering critical messages about the social ills of Morocco.
In September, the rapper was arrested in Casablanca while distributing fliers for a peaceful demonstration. He has been charged with assault, in a situation his supporters characterize as a government setup. They allege that a member of the right-wing group the “Royalist youth alliance” was sent to harass El-Haked and his family, and later accosted the rapper on the street in order to justify an arrest. Some even allege the plaintiff faked his injuries. It’s also unusual for the attorney general of Casablanca to head the prosecution for a simple assault charge.
He has remained in detention for the past four months awaiting trial. Supporters have arrived at the courthouse with each court date, demanding El-Haked’s release. Many of them believe that this case will show whether the regime has truly reformed the justice system. In Morocco, judges are appointed by the king, which many believe has set up a system where judicial rulings reflect the interests of the regime rather than the best interests of the people.
In an interview with the BBC, the head of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights, Driss El Yazami, stated that the case was under investigation. He disagreed with critics alleging that nothing has changed since the protests of last year. He pointed to the new constitution, with 65 of the 185 articles focusing specifically on human rights.
While his case has been postponed several times, El-Haked is represented by several human rights lawyers who have volunteered to defend him. His music remains more popular than ever. If convicted, he faces 1-2 years in jail.
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