On the arbitrary detention of EU citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta in Equatorial Guinea

B100441/2025

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 Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Spanish citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta were detained without formal charges on 22 January 2025 in connection with allegations of bribery and fraud against their employer, and were later transferred on 7 April 2025 to the Black Beach prison, a facility known for its inhumane conditions and systematic human rights violations;

whereas, considering current diplomatic tensions between Spain and Equatorial Guinea, the detention of both men can be considered a politically motivated pressure tactic, particularly as they are simple employees without any decision-making power;

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 neither at the time of their detention nor subsequently were either men informed of their charges;

whereas the health of both men is severely compromised, especially by pre-existing chronic illnesses that are life-threatening in the inhumane prison conditions; whereas, furthermore, Mr Marañón is on the verge of death following a prolonged hunger strike;

whereas the the judiciary in Equatorial Guinea is subordinated to the executive, with arbitrary detentions widely used to suppress political opposition;

whereas the regime in Equatorial Guinea is responsible for one of Africa's worst human rights situations, while systemic corruption ensures that the nation's immense oil wealth benefits a small elite, leaving the majority of the population in extreme poverty;

whereas Equatorial Guinea is strengthening its ties with Russia, as part of a wider trend of Russian influence in Africa;

Urges the Equatorial Guinean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta;

Demands that Mr. Marañón be granted urgent and adequate medical evacuation and treatment to save his life, and that his safety be guaranteed;

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the inhumane treatment, extortion, and denial of legal counsel suffered by both citizens;

Denounces the lack of judicial independence, the contempt for the rule of law, and the systematic use of arbitrary detention by the authorities in Equatorial Guinea;

Expresses grave concern about the climate of impunity in Equatorial Guinea and stresses the need that those responsible for these and other serious human rights violations are held accountable;

Calls on the VP/HR and the the EEAS, in close coordination with the Spanish authorities, to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate release of Mr. Marañón and Mr. Ballesta and to raise their cases at the upcoming Annual EU-AU Human Rights Dialogue;

Urges Equatorial Guinea to sign the Samoa Agreement;

Encourages the opening of an EU “antenna” office in Equatorial Guinea;

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