On the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

B100072/2025

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 Congo (DRC)

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

– having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples´s Rights

– having regard to article 9 of the Samoa Agreement

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas Jean-Jacques Wondo, a dual Belgian and Congolese national with civilian status, was arrested in May 2024 in the wake of the attempted coup and, in September, sentenced to death, together with 36 others, by a military court after being convicted of alleged active involvement in the planning of the coup attempt;

Whereas the accusations against Wondo were based on presumptions, dubious testimony and convoluted reasoning, whereas his lawyer complained about the lack of access to Wondo during his process;

Whereas Wondo suffers from diabetes and his health has been deteriorating significantly since his arrest;

Whereas the DRC government announced on 13 March 2024 a lifting of the moratorium on the execution of the death penalty that had been applied since 2003;

Whereas capital punishment violates the inalienable right to life and is incompatible with human dignity and the DRC’s international commitments;

Whereas the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Guidelines and Principles on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa stipulate that the sole purpose of military courts is to hear offenses of a purely military nature committed by military personnel;

Deplores the reinstatement of the death penalty in DRC and recalls its firm opposition to the use of the death penalty, at any time and in all circumstances;

Recalls the need to guarantee the right to a fair trial and respect for the rights of Wondo and the other convicted persons, in line with the international law obligations;

Deplores that a military court ruled over the capital punishment to be inflicted to civilians, including Wondo, contradicting the legal commitments undertaken by DRC;

Urges the DRC authorities to halt any plans to execute those sentenced to death, and introduce systemic reforms to rebuild the judicial system for efficient, accessible, fair, and independent justice;

Expresses serious concern about Wondo’s deteriorating health while in custody and urges the DRC authorities to ensure his access to medication and medical care, including via medical evacuation, as needed;

Calls on the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service to step up their efforts to ensure a fair trial and support the necessary systemic reforms to rebuild the judicial system for efficient, accessible, fair, and independent justice;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the President and Parliament of DRC.