MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the violence against opposition activists in Equatorial Guinea, notably the case of Julio Obama Mefuman

14.2.2023 - (2023/2552(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 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Željana Zovko, Michael Gahler, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, David Lega, Vangelis Meimarakis, Michaela Šojdrová, Vladimír Bilčík, Ivan Štefanec, Krzysztof Hetman, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Jiří Pospíšil, Eugen Tomac, Janina Ochojska
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0122/2023

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

B9‑0128/2023

European Parliament resolution on the violence against opposition activists in Equatorial Guinea, notably the case of Julio Obama Mefuman

(2023/2552(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regards to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted on December 16, 1966 by the UN General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI),

- having regard to the statement made on November 2, 2022 and November 30, 2022  by the EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

- having regard to the statement made on January 20, 2023 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk,

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas authorities in Equatorial Guinea have for decades committed acts of human rights violations and abuses including torture, arbitrary detentions and unlawful killings of human rights defenders, activists and political opponents;

B. whereas impunity of the security forces and political leadership is a significant problem in Equatorial Guinea;

C. whereas Julio Obama Mefuman, a member of the opposition “Movement for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea Third Republic’’ (MLGE3R in Spanish) was taken from South Sudan in a suspected kidnapping on 15 November 2019; whereas in March 2020 he was sentenced to 60 years in prison; where his death was announced in early January 2023 without the mention of a specific date;

D. whereas Obama Mefuman was also a holder of Spanish citizenship and a few weeks prior to his death, Spain’s High Court announced an investigation into his suspected kidnapping and torture;

E. whereas both international and local NGOs have reported concerns of the drastic deterioration in the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea;

1. Condemns the violence against opposition activists and consequently the death of Julio Obama Mefuman; calls for an independent investigation into Mefuman’s death and calls for a greater international focus on the situation of torture and violence in Equatorial Guinea;

2. Calls on the authorities to respect the rights of human rights defenders, activists, and opposition members and ensure that they are protected from intimidation, harassment, violence and arbitrary arrests;

3. Stresses the need to respect the freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and association, in full compliance with international human rights norms;

4. Deplores the lack of political and democratic freedoms in Equatorial Guinea and calls on the authorities to substantially improve the democratic governance in the country, and engage in a meaningful and sincere political dialogue with the opposition;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Vice-President of the European Commission/ High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and government of Equatorial Guinea.