What changed

B100439/2025

European Parliament resolution on the arbitrary detention of EU citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta in Equatorial Guinea

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the arbitrary detention of EU citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta in Equatorial Guinea

(2025/2904(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

having regard to previous resolutions on Equatorial Guinea,

A. whereas Spanish citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta were arrested in Malabo in mid-January 2025 in connection with a failed digital television project and were transferred on 7 April 2025 to the Black Beach prison, known for its inhumane conditions and systematic human rights violations;

having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

B. whereas Spanish consular requests have been delayed or obstructed and the ambassador has been summoned; whereas the detention of these EU citizens has strained relations between Spain and Equatorial Guinea and raises concerns about the protection of EU citizens abroad;

whereas since 1979 Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by the regime of Teodoro Obiang Nguema, widely considered an authoritarian dictatorship characterised by serious violations of human rights;

C. whereas both men were placed in retaliatory isolation and denied access to their lawyers and families, following the illegal interception of their private conversations with Spanish diplomats;

whereas international organizations and NGOs have consistently reported on breaches of human rights, including arbitrary detention and imprisonment including of foreign nationals, life threatening conditions in prisons and detention facilities, violence against and torture of detainees;

D. whereas their health is reportedly seriously deteriorating, particularly Mr Montero, because of a hunger strike;

whereas the country’s judiciary is widely considered subordinated to the regime;

E. whereas since 1979, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by Teodoro Obiang Nguema’s regime, widely considered as an authoritarian dictatorship characterised by serious human rights violations;

whereas the EU citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta have been arrested and detained since 22 January 2025, currently in Black Beach prison, known for its inhumane conditions;

F. whereas international and non-governmental organisations have consistently reported on human rights breaches, including arbitrary detention and imprisonment of foreign nationals, life-threatening conditions in prisons and detention facilities, and violence against and torture of detainees;

whereas both detainees have reportedly been held in poor conditions, including unjustified isolation and very difficult access to consular protection, legal assistance and contact with family;

G. whereas systemic corruption ensures that the nation’s immense oil wealth benefits only a small elite, leaving most of the population in extreme poverty;

whereas there are accounts of a serious deterioration of their health, particularly in the case of Mr. Montero, as a result of the prolonged hunger strike;

1. Strongly condemns the repeated cases of unacceptable detention conditions and ill-treatment of prisoners in Equatorial Guinea; considers them to be a clear international human rights law violation; calls on the authorities to take immediate and unconditional measures, including lifting pretrial detention, to ensure the well-being of Mr Montero and Mr Ballesta and respect for their rights, including the right to a fair trial, access to medical care and legal advice;

whereas the Spanish authorities have been closely following their case, including contacts at all levels with the Equatorial Guinean authorities, to ensure that the detainees are provided with consular protection and to demand appropriate access to legal and medical assistance and to their family members, and to ensure full respect and protection of the detainees’ human rights;

2. Calls on the Equatoguinean authorities to ensure Mr Montero receives urgent medical treatment and demands that he receive an urgent medical evacuation;

Strongly condemns the repeated cases of unacceptable detention conditions and ill-treatment of prisoners in Equatorial Guinea, considering them to be a clear violation of international human rights law; expresses its deep concern about the detention and the physical and mental state of the detainees Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta;

3. Stresses that arbitrary arrests and detentions damage the country’s reputation, deter international investment and cooperation, and may detrimentally impact its relations with the EU;

Urges the authorities of Equatorial Guinea to take immediate and unconditional measures to ensure the wellbeing of Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta and respect of their rights, including right to fair trails, access to urgent medical care, adequate sanitary and food conditions, legal advice and representation, consular assistance, and support of their families.

4. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) and the European External Action Service, in close coordination with the Spanish authorities, to intensify diplomatic efforts regarding their cases;

Stresses that arbitrary arrests and detentions damage the country’s reputation, deter international investment and cooperation, and may have detrimental impacts on relations with the EU;

5. Expresses serious concern about the subordination of Equatorial Guinea’s judiciary to the regime and the lack of judicial accountability, the ongoing torture and inhumane prison conditions, the continued persecution of political opposition, severe restrictions on freedom of expression, and other human rights violations in the country;

Reminds the authorities of Equatorial Guinea that any EU engagement in international cooperation is based on respect for clear criteria regarding respect for human rights and judicial accountability;

6. Urges Equatorial Guinea to sign the Samoa Agreement;

Urges, the EEAS and Spanish authorities to continue using all diplomatic channels in order to improve the condition of the two detainees and prevent similar cases in the future;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the authorities of the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, the African Union, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Calls on the EEAS, and the Member States to cooperate closely to strengthen the protection of EU citizens operating in the areas of instability;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the HR/VP, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the African Union, and the Government of Equatorial Guinea.