The numerical scores and status listed above do not reflect conditions in Western Sahara. It is examined in a separate report. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the United Nations considers it to be a “non-self-governing territory.” Freedom in the World reports assess the level of political rights and civil liberties in a given geographical area, regardless of whether they are affected by the state, nonstate actors, or foreign powers. Disputed territories are sometimes assessed separately if they meet certain criteria, including boundaries that are sufficiently stable to allow year-on-year comparisons. For more information, see the report methodology and FAQ.

Morocco holds regular multiparty elections for Parliament and local bodies. Reforms in 2011 shifted some authority over government from the monarchy to the national legislature. Nevertheless, King Mohammed VI and his palace maintain full dominance through a combination of substantial formal powers, informal lines of influence in state and society, and ownership of crucial economic resources. Many civil liberties are constrained in practice.

• In July, a court sentenced former human rights minister and prominent lawyer Mohammed Ziane to five years’ imprisonment on corruption charges. Ziane had previously been convicted in 2022 on defamation, sexual assault, and other charges that rights groups called politically motivated. The latest charges against him followed press statements he had issued from prison criticizing King Mohammed VI.
• In October, police arrested economist and human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni on suspicion of reporting a false crime and spreading fake news on social media in response to a social media post in which he criticized Moroccan-French relations and accused Moroccan authorities of employing spyware against their French counterparts. He was released days later, and legal proceedings against him were ongoing at year’s end.
• In July, journalists Omar Radi, Taoufik Bouachrine, and Soulaimane Raissouni were among some 2,400 people who received royal pardons and were released from prison. Press freedom groups had called the cases against them, on sexual assault and other charges, fabricated and levied in retaliation for their work. The journalists faced harassment and smears in progovernment media upon their release.
• Diplomatic, trade, and security relations with Israel remained a source of popular discontent and protest. A number of demonstrations opposing the Israeli assault on Gaza were permitted to take place during the year; these were allowed by authorities, who have issued condemnations of the war in Gaza and expressions of solidarity with Palestinians. However, in March, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan suspended classes for four days in order to prevent pro-Palestinian student demonstrations.
• In September, Moroccan authorities prevented thousands of people, reported to be Moroccan citizens, from completing a mass migration into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Human rights activists circulated photos showing the migrants stripped of their clothing and showing signs of torture in front of “auxiliary forces” vehicles. The government announced an investigation into the matter.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.