What changed

B100323/2025

P10_TA(2025)0162

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on arbitraryArbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

(2025/2797(RSP))

PE774.023

European Parliament resolution of 10 July 2025 on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

Whereas on 26 MayA. 2024,whereas Joseph Figueira MartinMartin, a dual Belgian-Portuguese citizen and humanitarian researcher working for anthe USNGO NGO,FHI 360, was detainedkidnapped byon the26 WagnerMay Group2024 in Zémio,the Central African Republic,Republic under(CAR) by the pretextWagner ofGroup beingand thelater holderhanded ofover twoto passports;the CAR authorities;

whereas he was accused among other crimes of financing and coordinating activities for armed groups, and undermining the security of the state;

B. whereas CAR brought charges against him based on unfounded accusations, including espionage and terrorism, for which he could face lifetime imprisonment and forced labour;

whereas from 5 July 2024 he has been held in Camp de Roux, a military prison for the most high-profile prisoners, and has been awaiting legal proceedings ever since; whereas the penalties for the charges brought against him are life imprisonment and forced labour;

C. whereas he was held at the OCRB in Bangui in solitary confinement and was tortured and threatened with death; whereas he has remained in detention under inhumane conditions and without trial for over a year, and a request for his conditional release has not been answered, in violation of CAR criminal law;

whereas the July 2024 Minusca report denounced widespread torture and ill-treatment in detention centres in the Central African Republic, non-compliance with legal time limits for holding a person in police custody, excessive use of pre-trial detention and poor conditions of detention;

D. whereas his health has deteriorated dramatically and medical assessments state that he requires urgent evacuation;

Calls on the Central African authorities to end Joseph Figueira Martin’s prolonged detention without trial and ensure due process without undue delay before an independent and impartial court;

E. whereas armed groups operating in CAR have been carrying out illegal and arbitrary arrests and detentions;

Calls on the authorities to respect the right to the presumption of innocence and to comply with the legal time limits for holding a person in detention; stresses that pre-trial detention should remain exceptional, justified only by necessity and proportionate to the circumstances; highlights that according to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the right to a speedy trial serves to avoid uncharged people being held for prolonged periods in detention;

F. whereas CAR is severely affected by Russia’s disinformation campaigns and hosts one of the largest contingents of Wagner Group mercenaries;

Considers that in case the authorities don’t have enough evidence to bring this case to trial, after more than a year of detention, Joseph Figueira Martin should be released;

G. whereas the EU supports CAR’s population, providing humanitarian, security and development aid;

Calls on the judicial authorities to uphold and respect its international obligations under the African Commission on Human Rights and People's Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Central African Republic is a party, and notably Article 14 thereof on the right to a fair and timely trial before independent courts of law and based on clear charges and ensuring the respect of the defendants’ rights;

H. whereas Mr Martin’s case has been identified by the UN and the EU as one that reflects a broader pattern of disinformation and anti-Western rhetoric fostered by Russian-linked actors in CAR;

Demands to investigate the allegations of torture; calls on the authorities to ensure that he is granted unrestricted access to adequate and timely medical care, and that he is protected from torture;

1. Demands that the CAR authorities immediately and unconditionally release Mr Martin, given the absence of credible and substantiated evidence justifying his detention;

Denounces the presence of the Wagner Group and urges to hold them accountable for their abuses against civilians;

2. Urges the CAR authorities to allow his medical evacuation and ensure his access to legal representation, consular assistance and appropriate care in accordance with international human rights standards;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Central African authorities.

3. Strongly condemns the human rights violations committed through the arbitrary, continued and inhuman detention of Mr Martin, seriously threatening his life and health;

4. Insists that any judicial proceedings strictly comply with due process guarantees enshrined in the ICCPR and the applicable provisions of CAR’s national legal framework;

5. Calls on the CAR authorities to ensure that the armed groups operating in CAR immediately cease illegal and arbitrary arrests and attacks on humanitarian and NGO workers;

6. Calls for ensuring accountability for rights’ violations and abuses;

7. Condemns the growing politically motivated foreign interference in CAR, including through Russian paramilitary forces and disinformation campaigns; reiterates its call on the Council to designate the Wagner Group a terrorist organisation;

8. Stresses that respect for human rights is crucial for good EU-CAR cooperation;

9. Calls on the VP/HR to take all possible steps, in coordination with the Belgian and Portuguese authorities, including by raising Mr Martin’s case in the EU-CAR political dialogue, to secure his release and ensure that his rights are upheld; stresses the need for targeted EU measures should the CAR authorities persist in violating his rights;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Government and Parliament of CAR, the AU and the UN.