MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

21.1.2025 - (2025/2510(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 150 of the Rules of Procedure

Sebastião Bugalho, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Michael Gahler, Luděk Niedermayer, Christophe Gomart, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Danuše Nerudová, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Jessica Polfjärd, Tomáš Zdechovský, Andrey Kovatchev
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B10-0069/2025

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B10‑0081/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(2025/2510(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

 

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was  ratified by the DRC in November 1976,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

1.  whereas on 13 September 2024, Belgian-Congolese military expert, well-known  researcher on political and security issues in Africa’s Great Lakes region, Jean-Jacques   Wondo, was sentenced to death by a military court in Kinshasa, DRC, for his alleged   involvement in a failed coup attempt in May 2024;

 

2.  whereas, along with several others, Jean-Jaques Wondo was arrested in the days after 

 the failed coup and his lawyer suspect he was the victim of a retaliation within the   Congolese intelligence services as he was asked from within the regime to help   reform the intelligence services, and his entourage suspects that his plans made him   many enemies in Kinshasa;

 

3.  whereas the prosecution file condemning Jean-Jacques Wondo was empty, not containing any concrete evidence linking him to a botched coup attempt in May; whereas  Jean-Jacques Wondo’s health is further deteriorating and he urgently needs medical attention;

 

4. whereas the DRC lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March 2024, leading to a sharp increase in death sentences;

 

5. whereas Mr Wondo’s health is further deteriorating and he urgently needs  medical attention;

 

1.  Expresses grave concern at the lack of credible evidence and apparent violations of Mr  Wondo's fundamental right to a fair and impartial trial; insists for the immediate release   of Mr Wondo unless reliable evidence of his alleged guilt is provided;
2. Condemns in the strongest terms the use of the death penalty at all times and under all circumstance given that the death penalty does not serve as an effective deterrent to crime and makes any miscarriage of justice irreversible; urges the Congolese authorities   to immediately put an end to the policy of repression;
3.  Urges the Congolese government for the immediate and unconditional respect of the    right to defence and reiterates it strong call to re-establish a moratorium on executions   as a first step towards the abolition of the capital punishment;
4.  Reiterates its extreme concern over the escalation of violence in the eastern DRC and   the worsening humanitarian situation that has left an estimated 25.4 million Congolese   in need of humanitarian assistance; deplores the loss of life and expresses its sympathy   with the people of the DRC;
5.  Reiterates its position on the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian   law and protect civilians;
6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and    the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign     Affairs and Security Policy, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the ACP-  EU Council of Ministers and Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the UN Secretary-  General, the UN Human Rights Council, the President, Prime Minister and Parliament   of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the African Union and its institutions.