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

B100081/2025

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,

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

Reiterates its position on the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians;

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.