Belgian City Bans Riffian Protest March, Sparking Freedom of Expression Debate

The planned demonstration on October 29 is scheduled on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the death of Mouhcine Fikri, a fishmonger crushed in a garbage truck on October 28, 2016 in Al-Hoceima, explains a statement from the association. This tragic event gave birth to the Hirak movement, whose activists have been sentenced up to 20 years in prison, the document points out.

This year, the Molenbeek authorities have refused to grant authorization for this event. "This commemoration has no connection with the municipality and its inhabitants, blocking traffic on axes and that this march does not contribute at all to social cohesion," they said.

These motivations, described as fallacious, lack objectivity and relevance, according to the Gathering of Riffians of Belgium, arguing that this is a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right, guaranteed by the Belgian Constitution and various provisions of human rights treaties.

Consequently, the association announced its intention to seize the Council of State on an urgent basis to assert its right to freedom of expression and demonstration.