Ilhem Rachidi

Ilhem Rachidi is a freelance journalist based in Morocco. She has written for Mediapart, Rue 89 and The New Arab.

Morocco | Dec 27, 2017

More than a year on, Hirak protesters remain behind bars in Morocco

Despite the announcement of a development project in the marginalized Rif region in Morocco, authorities are still detaining and prosecuting hundreds of protesters who took part in demonstrations demanding economic and social justice.

Riot police charge against protesters during a demonstration against official abuses and corruption in the town of Al-Hoceima, Morocco July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal - RC17B0A23700

Morocco | Oct 31, 2017

Former Salafi cleric stuns Morocco with calls for gender equality

Since his release from prison in Morocco, former hardcore Salafist Mohamed Abdelwahab al-Rafiqi has become a controversial figure with his calls for equality in inheritance rights.

Morocco | Aug 31, 2017

In Morocco, press freedom shrinks with Hirak protests

As part of the Moroccan authorities' efforts to silence the Hirak protest movement, journalists are facing pressure and repression, prompting questions about their objectivity and the freedom of the press.

Moroccan activist and the leader of "Hirak" Nasser Zefzafi gives a speech during a demonstration against injustice and corruption in the northern town of Al-Hoceima, Morocco, May 18, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal - RC1A255148A0

Morocco | Aug 4, 2017

Sit-in in Morocco’s south still going strong as it enters its seventh year

After six years of an uninterrupted sit-in, the inhabitants of Imider in southeast Morocco march to reaffirm their demands.

An activist carrying a Berber flag walks on a hilltop above a silver mine, where dozens of poor and unemployed young villagers have been holding a permanent sit-in since 2011, near the town of Imider, southeastern Morocco, August 31, 2015. They have cut off the flow of water from a well that supplies one of the biggest silver mines in Africa. Protesters want to make the company hire more locals and reconsider its water and environmental policies. Picture taken August 31, 2015. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal - RTX1

Morocco | Jul 17, 2017

Protests continue in Morocco despite crackdown

Hirak, a protest movement active in Morocco’s marginalized Rif region, is still going strong despite brutal police repression and arrests.

Protesters throw stones towards riot police during a demonstrating against alleged corruption in the provincial town of Imzouren, Morocco, June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudla - RTX38R6V

Iraq | May 19, 2017

Morocco cracks down on fighters returning from IS

The Moroccan authorities are deploying all efforts to curb the phenomenon of former Islamic State fighters returning to their home country by arresting them.