What changed

B100442/2025

P10_TA(2025)0223

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

(2025/2904(RSP))

PE778.756

European Parliament resolution of 9 October 2025 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 its resolution of 16 February 2023 on violence against opposition activists in Equatorial Guinea, notably the case of Julio Obama Mefuman (2023/2552(RSP)),

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

having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

whereas Spanish citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta were arbitrarily detained in Equatorial Guinea for allegedly being involved in a corruption scheme, where they are claimed to have benefited from public contracts in exchange for bribes;

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 in April 2025 theC. authoritieswhereas reportedlyboth spiedmen onwere conversationsplaced betweenin theretaliatory detaineesisolation and Spanish diplomats; whereas, following this, bothdenied menaccess wereto completelytheir isolatedlawyers and prohibitedfamilies, fromfollowing receivingthe anyillegal visits,interception includingof fromtheir lawyersprivate orconversations familywith members;Spanish diplomats;

whereas Javier Marañón Montero is reportedly on the verge of death following a prolonged hunger strike in Black Beach prison, notorious for neglecting and brutalising inmates;

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

whereasE. Equatorialwhereas Guineasince is1979, anEquatorial authoritarianGuinea hereditaryhas dictatorship,been ruled since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo,Nguema’s whoregime, haswidely concentratedconsidered politicalas poweran andauthoritarian thedictatorship nation’scharacterised oilby wealthserious withinhuman hisrights family;violations;

whereas Equatorial Guinea has a notorious human rights record, though the country abolished the death penalty in 2022; whereas human rights concerns include torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, arbitrary arrest and detention, transnational repression, crackdowns on civil society and opposition politicians, as well as serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom;

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 in most cases the authorities have failed to hold accountable officials responsible for human rights violations; whereas the country’s judicial system is subordinate to the executive;

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 the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review examined Equatorial Guinea on 11 November 2024; whereas Equatorial Guinea claims to have adopted the Nelson Mandela Rules on minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, allocated funds to prisons, and reduced overcrowding through expedited trials; whereas these claims remain questionable given persistent reports of poor detention conditions, lack of due process, and widespread violations of detainees’ rights;

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;

Expresses grave concern at the arbitrary detention of Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta in Equatorial Guinea; calls on the authorities to secure their immediate release;

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

Is extremely concerned about Javier Marañón Montero’s critical health condition; demands that he receives an urgent medical evacuation;

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;

Expresses serious concern over the persistence of 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;

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;

Calls on the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to respect their human rights obligations and to ensure that all detainees are held in humane conditions, receive fair trials and have access to legal defence and family visits;

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;

Urges the authorities of Equatorial Guinea to substantially improve the democratic governance in the country to the benefit of all its citizens;

6. Urges Equatorial Guinea to sign the Samoa Agreement;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the HR/VP,Commission, the AfricanVP/HR, Union,the authorities of the UnitedKingdom Nationsof Spain and the authoritiesRepublic of Equatorial Guinea, the RepublicAfrican Union, and the Secretary-General of Equatorialthe Guinea;United Nations.