There are current topics that provoke strong reactions and debates on social networks. This was recently the case in Morocco, where an internet user was sentenced to three years in prison on appeal for insulting the king in publications criticizing the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel.
Saïd Boukioud, born in 1975, was initially sentenced to five years in prison last August for insulting the monarchy in posts on Facebook, which have since been deleted from the platform. On Monday, the Casablanca Court of Appeal reclassified the facts as an offense against the person of the king and reduced the sentence to three years in prison, according to his lawyer, Me El Hassan Essouni.
According to the Constitution, Morocco’s foreign policy is a prerogative of the monarch, in this case Mohammed VI. However, Mr. Boukioud’s lawyer stressed that his client never intended to offend the king, but wanted to draw attention to the fact that the normalization of relations with Israel did not benefit Moroccans, neither to the Palestinian cause, nor to anyone.
This legal decision comes against a backdrop of war in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian Hamas and Israel, which has given new impetus to the pro-Palestinian mobilization in Morocco in recent weeks. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Casablanca to demand the suspension of bilateral relations and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, after a truce came into force on Friday.
This case highlights the debate over freedom of expression on social media and the balance between legitimate criticism and the limits imposed by law. In Morocco, several human rights associations have reported numerous legal proceedings in recent years linked to publications criticizing the authorities on social networks.
It is important to emphasize that freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but it also carries responsibility. Criticizing political decisions and expressing one’s opinions is legitimate, but this must be done in compliance with the laws in force and without defamation. Social networks are powerful tools for communication, but also for the propagation of hate speech and disinformation. It is up to everyone to use these platforms responsibly to foster genuine dialogue and mutual understanding.
In conclusion, this affair in Morocco highlights the challenges faced by contemporary societies in terms of freedom of expression and debate of ideas. It is important to find a balance between protecting fundamental rights and preserving social and political stability. Hoping that solutions can be found to promote a climate of respect, dialogue and tolerance on the internet.