More than a year after a wave of youth-led protests swept through Morocco, hundreds of demonstrators remain in detention — and their families are growing increasingly desperate. On Saturday, dozens of mothers gathered outside the Moroccan parliament in Rabat, the capital, to demand the release of their children, many of whom have now spent over a year in custody.

The detainees were arrested in connection with the so-called "Gen Z 212" movement — the 212 being Morocco's international dialling code — which mobilised thousands of young people across several Moroccan cities in late 2024. Protesters took to the streets to demand better healthcare, education, employment opportunities and public services, while also criticising what they described as widespread corruption. Demonstrations were timed shortly before Morocco hosted the Africa Cup of Nations, with protesters voicing anger at public spending on sports infrastructure at the expense of social programmes.

Detainees face serious charges, including armed rebellion, inciting felonies, property damage and organising unauthorised demonstrations — accusations that rights advocates say reflect a heavy-handed government response to largely peaceful civic demands. Authorities have also been accused of committing abuses against those held in custody, though the government has not publicly acknowledged wrongdoing.

For the mothers standing outside parliament, the human cost is acutely felt. "We want all the children to be free and able to come out after one year; that's enough," said Ilham Negro, whose son is among the detainees. "They've already lost a whole year of schooling, and this year as well."

The protests unfolded against a stark economic backdrop. Official figures put youth unemployment among Moroccans aged 15 to 24 at 37 percent in 2025, compared to an overall national unemployment rate of 13 percent. That gap helps explain why the movement resonated so widely — and why its suppression has drawn sustained attention from families and human rights observers alike. With hundreds still behind bars and no clear resolution in sight, the Gen Z 212 movement remains one of the most significant episodes of youth unrest in Morocco in recent years.