Controversy Erupts as Moroccan Hotel Privatizes Public Beach, Sparking Local Outrage

A discriminatory decision that is hard to swallow. The beach of Sidi Abderrahim is off-limits and prohibited for bathing to the inhabitants, but reserved exclusively for the clients of a hotel, while it is a popular destination for many families in the city, a source of income and a seasonal employment opportunity for a group of young people in the region. Faced with this ban, a lawyer at the Tangier bar has addressed a request to the president of the court of first instance of Larache, asking him to appoint a bailiff to carry out an on-site inspection. He explained that the law gives the court the right to appoint a bailiff to carry out inspections.

In his request, he stated that the local authorities and members of the Royal Gendarmerie have prevented citizens from accessing the beach, while the clients of one of the hotels located on site are allowed to access it freely, reports the website Rue20. This situation is in contradiction with the provisions of the law relating to the coastline, which stipulates that "access to the beach and circulation along it are a right for the public," denounces the lawyer.

For their part, the inhabitants expect the judicial authorities to support them to lift this ban and allow everyone to enjoy the beach without discrimination.