Moroccan Diaspora in Amsterdam Joins GenZ212 Protests

Marrakech – Around 50 peaceful protesters gathered at the Moroccan consulate in Amsterdam in solidarity with the GenZ212 movement. The demonstration took place as similar protests spread across Morocco and internationally.

According to information and videos shared with Morocco World News (MWN) by Soehayla Halouchi, a freelance journalist, protesters bore signs and chanted slogans demanding social justice and equity.

The protest was organized by Moroccan Youth Voice, a youth organization advocating for equality and rights. A simultaneous protest took place in Paris, also organized by the same platform.

Protesters from different age groups and cities demanded an end to police violence against their peers in Moroccan cities. “The people want an end to corruption,” “Freedom, dignity, social justice,” and “Free koulchi [everyone]” were among the slogans chanted during the demonstration.

The GenZ212 movement represents young Moroccans born between 1996 and 2010. This generation comprises 8.2 million people aged 15 to 29 years, or 10.9 million when extended to age 34, representing 29.5% of Morocco’s population of 36.8 million. The movement’s core demands focus on healthcare, education, and employment reforms.

The protests address serious economic challenges. Youth unemployment reached 36.7% in 2024, with 492,000 young people aged 15 to 24 without work. In urban areas, the rate climbed to 48.4%. Among employed youth, 73.2% work without written contracts, and 41.9% receive no remuneration. Even university graduates face a 25.7% unemployment rate.

Beyond employment, young Moroccans criticize the healthcare system’s shortcomings. They witness saturated public hospitals, equipment and personnel deficits, and costly private care through their families’ experiences. The education system also faces criticism for weak quality, inadequate teacher training, and failure to prepare students for employment.

Moroccans form one of the largest immigrant communities in the Netherlands, with an estimated population of around half a million. In Amsterdam, they constitute one of the city’s most visible minority groups. Dutch-Moroccans are active in politics, media, entrepreneurship, and sports.

‘No place for a Morocco advancing at two speeds’

The international mobilization expanded beyond Amsterdam. In Belgium, protesters gathered outside the Moroccan embassy in Brussels on October 3. The movement announced sit-ins in Paris and Marseille for October 4, and in Montreal for October 5.

GenZ212 Brussels issued a statement expressing solidarity with protesters in Morocco. “It is our duty to use our voices to support our brothers and sisters who denounce these injustices and demand a dignified life,” the statement read. The group also condemned what it described as unjustified police repression and violence.

GenZ212 France called for the immediate release of arrested protesters, withdrawal of legal proceedings, and guarantees for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. GenZ212 Montreal expressed “deep concern about the repression against the peaceful GenZ212 youth movement in Morocco.”

Sociologists say Generation Z differs fundamentally from previous generations. Morocco lacks in-depth studies to properly understand this generation.

Researchers identify several defining traits: this generation expects immediate results and has little patience for delays. They refuse to accept authority based solely on position, demanding that leaders earn respect through competence and behavior.

According to the same findings, young people show strong intolerance toward inequality and any form of disrespect. They seek employment that provides meaning and allows work-life balance rather than just income. They also display significant distrust of existing political parties while still seeking authentic and inspiring leadership.

The movement emerges amid what King Mohammed VI described in his July 2025 Throne Speech as “a Morocco advancing at two speeds.” The King stated: “There is no place, neither today nor tomorrow, for a Morocco advancing at two speeds.”

The government majority confirmed its openness to dialogue with youth and commitment to social reforms. However, only 33.6% of 18-24 year-olds were registered for the 2021 elections, compared to over 94% of those aged 60 and above.

The diaspora demonstrations reflect broader concerns within Morocco’s youth population. The protesters seek not only economic improvements but fundamental changes in how institutions operate and respond to citizen needs.

Read also: Decades of Rampant Corruption, Unaddressed Disparities Fuel Morocco’s Unrest