Case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

European Parliament resolution of 23 January 2025 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, ratified by the DRC in 1976, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa,

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

A.whereas Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese security, military and political expert, was invited to Kinshasa in February 2024 to lead reforms of the Congolese National Intelligence Agency, the ANR;

B.whereas Wondo was arrested following a failed coup on 19 May 2024, for which he was accused of being the ‘intellectual perpetrator’, despite consistently maintaining his innocence; whereas the charges were based on coerced and unreliable testimony;

C.whereas on 13 September 2024, Wondo and 36 others were sentenced to death by a military court in a process widely condemned for serious violations of due process and the absence of credible evidence;

D.whereas Wondo’s health has gravely deteriorated in custody and requires medical attention;

E.whereas the DRC lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in March 2024, leading to a sharp rise in death sentences, which contradicts its commitments under international human rights law;

1.Strongly condemns the sentencing to death of Wondo and others and the grave violations of their right to a fair trial;

2.Urges the DRC Government to immediately overturn the death sentences, reinstate a moratorium on executions and take steps towards the full abolition of the death penalty;

3.Expresses deep concern about Wondo’s deteriorating health, calls for him to be given immediate access to medical treatment and insists on his immediate release;

4.Denounces the misuse of military courts to prosecute Wondo and calls on the DRC to align its judicial practices with international and regional human rights commitments;

5.Reiterates its categorical opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances and calls for its universal abolition;

6.Encourages the EU delegation in Kinshasa, the European External Action Service and the foreign affairs ministers of the Member States to intensify their engagement with the DRC authorities, emphasising respect for human rights, judicial independence and the rule of law;

7.Calls for systemic reforms to be implemented in the DRC to rebuild the judiciary into an independent, fair and efficient institution that guarantees due process and the protection of fundamental rights;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African Union and other relevant international bodies.