Systematic Sexual Violence: The Years of Lead in Morocco
This case note documents the occurrence of sexual violence in violent conflict. It contains explicit mentions of different forms of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Background of the conflict
The Years of Lead was a period of the rule of King Hassan II of Morocco, between the 1960s and 1980s. The period was marked by state violence and repression targeting political dissidents and pro-democracy activists. During this time, dissidents were arrested, tortured, imprisoned, executed, and even forcibly "disappeared". The abusive regime carried out its brutal repression until the 1990s, when international condemnation refuted in Haasan II being pressured to liberate the country. This resulted in Morocco gradually becoming democratic over time. King Hassan’s successor, King Mohammed VI established the Equity and Reconciliation Commission, but it failed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Prevalence of sexual violence
Sexual and gender-based violence were commonly deployed by the regime and its supporters, as well as the security sector to repress and suppress dissent. Men were subject to sexual assault in prison and during interrogations (Amine, 2021). Women were also constantly subject to sexual violence and rape both within and outside of prison and detention centres (Amine, 2021). Precise data and statistics are not available given that this was state sponsored and implemented violence. Most targets were left-wing individuals, including students and youth (Amnesty International, 2023).
Basis of the use of sexual violence
Sexual violence was used as a form of torture and intimidation, both against men and women. Men were targeted with sexual violence and rape as a means to assert the cultural dominance of the regime’s masculinity, by feminizing the men. Women were subject to sexual violence as a means to reinforce morality and demand compliance with what were claimed to be moral standards of behaviour. Sexual violence was also used as a means to extract confessions, and to quell dissent (Amnesty International, 2023).
References
Amine, K. (2021). Performing the Memory of the'Years of Lead'in Morocco. Mantichora. Italian Journal of Performance Studies, 11, 11-26.
Amnesty International (2023). MDE 29/004/2014: Under embargo until May 13th: STOP TORTURE. Country profile: Morocco / Western Sahara. https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-.content/uploads/2023/06/mde290042014e.pdf
