Morocco’s National Human Rights Council said it was “following with deep concern” the collapse of a residential building in the city of Fez on Thursday, May 21, which has so far left nine people dead and several others injured.
In a statement, the council said a team from the Regional Human Rights Commission for Fez-Meknes had been assigned to monitor the incident, assess its aftermath and conduct on-site inquiries.
The council extended its condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the tragedy.
It also recalled a previous statement issued on Dec. 11, 2025, following another deadly collapse involving two residential buildings in the Ben Souda district of Fez.
The council reiterated its earlier findings and recommendations, warning that the repeated collapse of residential buildings represents “a direct violation of the right to adequate housing” as defined by international standards.
It called for the adoption of a comprehensive national strategy based on prevention, strict and regular inspections, and the development of monitoring and forecasting mechanisms.
The statement also stressed the importance of respecting construction standards and building regulations, while urging authorities to ensure greater transparency to avoid disasters that could endanger lives.
The council called for stronger coordination among government sectors, territorial authorities and elected councils to place the right to safe housing and citizens’ safety at the center of public policies and programs.
It further urged the strict enforcement of urban planning and construction laws, particularly regarding mandatory building permits, technical inspections and engineering quality standards.
The council also recommended establishing a permanent joint rapid-response mechanism to intervene when cracks, structural defects or construction flaws are detected, allowing authorities to act preventively before accidents occur.
In addition, the council called for a judicial investigation into the incident, publication of its findings and accountability for those responsible, in line with the principle of linking responsibility with accountability.
The statement praised the presence and direct supervision of public authorities during rescue and intervention operations.
It also commended the efforts of civil protection services, local authorities, national security forces, auxiliary forces and local volunteers, as well as precautionary measures taken to evacuate neighboring buildings and reinforce nearby structures to protect residents.
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