European Parliament calls for release of Jean-Jacques Wondo in DRC

In brief

On 23 January 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the case of Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese military expert detained in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). MEPs call for his immediate release and guarantees for a fair trial.

Background

Jean-Jacques Wondo, a researcher and security expert, was arrested in August 2024 in Kinshasa. He is accused of involvement in an attempted coup d'état, which his supporters and many human rights organisations contest. Wondo's detention raises concerns about respect for fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary in the DRC.

What Parliament decided

In its resolution, the European Parliament:

• Calls for the immediate release of Jean-Jacques Wondo, considering his detention arbitrary.
• Calls on the Congolese authorities to guarantee a fair and transparent trial, in accordance with international standards.
• Expresses its solidarity with Wondo's family and human rights defenders in the DRC.
• Encourages the European Union to closely monitor developments in the case and use all available diplomatic instruments.

Vote result

The resolution was adopted by a show of hands, without a request for a roll-call vote. This means that no individual count was taken, but the text received a large majority of the votes of the MEPs present.

For citizens

This resolution shows that the European Parliament closely monitors human rights violations in partner countries. As a citizen, you can support these actions by staying informed and sharing these concerns. The European Union uses its diplomatic weight to defend democratic values, even beyond its borders.