resolution motion, 20 January 2025
On Case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Motion B-10-2025-0065 · (2025/2510(RSP))
on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Merja Kyllönen
AI:In short
The resolution expresses concern about the trial of Jean-Jacques Wondo, opposes the death penalty, and calls for a civilian trial and the re-establishment of the moratorium. It condemns the M23's ceasefire violations and Rwandan army involvement, calling for Rwanda to withdraw troops and for the EU to suspend cooperation with Rwanda. It stresses that M23's crimes may constitute war crimes and calls for an end to impunity for crimes committed in the DRC.
Key points
- Expresses deep concern about irregularities in the trial of Jean-Jacques Wondo.
- Underlines that civilians should be tried by a civilian court, not a military one.
- Reaffirms opposition to the death penalty and calls on authorities to re-establish the moratorium.
- Calls on DRC authorities to uphold international human rights law, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
- Denounces flagrant ceasefire violations by the M23, especially after the capture of Masisi.
- Stresses that rapes and forced recruitments by the M23 constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity.
- Condemns the direct implication of the Rwandan army and calls for Rwanda to remove RDF troops from Congolese territory.
- Calls on the EU and its member states to suspend cooperation with and funding for the Rwandan army until RDF troops are removed.
- Underlines the need to end impunity for crimes under international law committed in the DRC since the mid-1990s.
Who is affected
- Jean-Jacques Wondo and other convicted persons: the resolution calls for a fair civilian trial and opposes the death penalty.
- DRC authorities: urged to re-establish the death penalty moratorium and uphold human rights.
- Rwandan army: called to withdraw troops from DRC; EU cooperation and funding to be suspended until then.
- M23 rebels: condemned for ceasefire violations and crimes; may face accountability.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 20 paragraphs
B100065/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on 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 RDC,
– having regard to the 2022, 2024 and 2025 Reports of the UN Group of Experts on the DRC, as well as 2024 UN Security Council report,
– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas on 13 September 2024, the Belgian-Congolese researcher and military expert Jean-Jacques Wondo, together with 37 other convicted, was sentenced to death by the Kinshasa military court for ‘attempted coup d'état’ following a trial at first instance marked by serious irregularities; whereas his appeal is currently in progress;
whereas the moratorium on death penalty was lifted due to the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC);
whereas meanwhile, the M23, a Rwanda and Ouganda-backed armed group, as proven by the UN, is continuing its territorial expansion despite the ceasefire, with the rebels stepping up the recruitment of fighters and cadres to administer the conquered territories, according to January 2025 report by UN experts ;
whereas UN experts now state that around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, members of the RDF, are fighting alongside the M23 against the Congolese national army;
Expresses its deepest concern about the irregularities surrounding the trial of Jean-Jacques Wondo ;
Read the rest (8 paragraphs)
Underlines that civilians should be tried by a civilian court, in accordance with international law, and not by a military court;
Reaffirms its strong and unequivocal opposition to the use of the death penalty at all times and under all circumstances; calls on the authorities to immediately re-establish the moratorium;
Calls on the DRC authorities to uphold their commitments under international human rights law, including the right to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the Constitution of the DRC;
Is deeply concerned by the continuous expansion of the M23 rebels in the East ; Denounces the flagrant violations of the ceasefire by the Rwanda and Ouganda-backed M23, in particular after the capture of Masisi;
Stresses that the rapes and forced recruitments, including of minors, committed by the M23 constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity;
Condemns the direct implication of Rwandan army ; calls for Rwanda to immediately remove Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) troops from Congolese territory; calls on the EU and its Member States to suspend their cooperation with the Rwandan army, as well as all funding for it until then;
Underlines more broadly the need to end impunity of those responsible for crimes under international law committed in the DRC from the mid-1990s to the present day, and the need for justice on the part of the Congolese people and the mobilisation of civil society on this issue ;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the 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 the United Nations Secretary-General.