By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RABAT, Morocco – On Thursday, 19 January, five unemployed men set themselves on fire to protest a lack of jobs in Morocco for university graduates.  The men are members of the Morocco’s “unemployed graduates” movement that demonstrates to highlight the lack of economic progress in the country.  The police often violently dissolve the demonstrations organized throughout the country by this loose collection of millions of unemployed university graduates.

Three men received hospital treatment, and the other two men’s clothing singed.  Two men with serious burns are receiving medical treatment at the serious burns unit in Casablanca.  Thirty-year-old Mohammed Zeitoun is not likely to survive his injuries, and Moahammed Haouass, a protestor in his early twenties, is not critically injured.

Although the national unemployment rate is 9.1 percent, the unemployment rate for university graduates is 16 percent.  When the Islamist-led government won the election in November, it promised the creation of 200,000 jobs per year from public and private investment.  On Thursday, over 1,000 unemployed graduates picketed the parliament when the government unveiled its new economic plan.

As a part of the movement’s protest, approximately 160 people occupied a Ministry of Higher Education’s administrative building in Rabat during the past two weeks.  The protesters received food from supporters until the police prevent the food delivery two days ago.

Youssef al-Rissouni from the Moroccan Association for Human Rights reported, “The authorities prevented them from receiving food and water, so five people went outside to get food and threatened to set themselves on fire if they were stopped.”

The men covered themselves with a liquid, began collecting the bread supporters threw towards the building over the police’s heads, and threatened to set themselves on fire if the police stopped them.  Two men burst into flames when the riot police with truncheons moved to stop them.  Supporters surrounded the men running wildly and smothered the flames.

Protesters began utilizing the once rare self-immolation tactic after a Tunisian vegetable seller set himself on fire to protest police harassment in December 2010.  Protesters in Tunisia continue to use this tactic.  Four protesters set themselves on fire, including a father of three who died from burns.

Casablanca-based activist Sayed Bouchaini said “The fact is that we are struggling to make ends meet, get jobs and have a good life…These men are beginning the movement for change and maybe it will get others to the street.”

For further information, please see:

Sydney Morning Herald – Men Set Themselves On Fire Over Lack Of Jobs – 21 Jan 2012

Agenzia Giornalistia Italia – Two Unemployed Set Fire To Themselves in Moroccan Capital – 20 Jan 2012

Bikya Masr – 5 Moroccans Set Selves Abalze To Protest Economic Conditions – 20 Jan 2012

Boston Globe – 5 Unemployed Moroccans Set Selves On Fire – 19 Jan 2012