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

B100442/2025

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 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 Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

whereas in April 2025 the authorities reportedly spied on conversations between the detainees and Spanish diplomats; whereas, following this, both men were completely isolated and prohibited from receiving any visits, including from lawyers or family members;

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;

whereas Equatorial Guinea is an authoritarian hereditary dictatorship, ruled since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has concentrated political power and the nation’s oil wealth within his family;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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;

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

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the HR/VP, the African Union, the United Nations and the authorities of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea;