“Freedom is a Lie”
Dounia Benslimane sits at her desk at Racines’ Casablanca headquarters. The nonprofit, which spent nine years focusing on the promotion of culture, arts, and civic engagement in Morocco had been facing the possibility of shutdown since December 2018. Despite appeals, the ultimate ruling by the Casablanca Appellate Court marked the first time in Morocco’s history that the government had ordered the dissolution of an NGO. March, 2019.
Racines’ merch hangs on the walls of their Casablanca office. “Dissolution is not the solution,” a modified version of the association’s slogan “culture in the solution” became the rallying cry for members of Racines and their supporters. Many argue that this case raised concerns about freedom of expression and association in Morocco. March, 2019.
Aadel Essaadani, once of Racines’ co-founders reflects on the events of the past year. The organization received dissolution orders in December 2018 after allowing an episode of “Un Diner Deux Cons,” in which hosts criticized King Mohammed VI (among other things), to be filmed in the Racines offices in Casablanca. Despite Racines only serving as the physical location of the episode, the orders from the government accused them of participating in political activity outside of the domain of its statutes. March, 2019.
Benslimane in Racines’ kitchen in their Casablancs office. In the time between receiving the first court summons in December 2018 and their final court appearance in April 2019, the organization hung in a kind of limbo. March, 2019.
Essaadani in his office in Casablanca. “If we have to do it again, we will do it,” he said. “It’s about freedom.” March, 2019.
Details of Racines’ Casablanca headquarters. March, 2019.
Racines’ Casablanca office, where the August episode of “Un Diner Deux Cons” was filmed. March, 2019.
Benslimane and Essaadani after losing their April 16 appeal. “We expected everything, but not this.” Benslimane said. Casablanca, April 16, 2019.