What changed

B100093/2026

P10_TA(2026)0017

European Parliament resolution on Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

(2026/2572(RSP))

PE782.022

The European Parliament,

European Parliament resolution of 22 January 2026 on the case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2026/2572(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regards its previous resolutions on the Central African Republic (CAR),

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

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

A. whereas Joseph Figueira Martin, a dual Belgian-Portuguese citizen and humanitarian researcher working for the non-governmental organisation FHI 360, was kidnapped on 26 May 2024 in the Central African Republic (CAR) by the Wagner Group while working on a development project and was later handed over to the CAR authorities;

whereas Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese researcher and development consultant, was abducted on 25 May 2024 in Zémio, CAR, by the Wagner paramilitary group while carrying out a development project;

B. whereas he was held in solitary confinement at the OCRB in Bangui in a Wagner-operated facility and was tortured; whereas he remained in detention for over a year in inhumane conditions without access to medical care and without trial;

whereas Mr Figueira Martin was subjected to torture and death threats during his abduction and detention in a Wagner-operated facility;

C. whereas on 4 November 2025, a criminal court in Bangui found Mr Martin guilty of offences including complicity in criminal conspiracy and undermining state security, sentenced him to 10 years of forced labour, and ordered him to pay 50 million CFA francs in damages and civil compensation, on the basis of unfounded accusations;

whereas the authorities of CAR charged him with multiple offences, including espionage, conspiracy, terrorism, incitement to revolt, and complicity in undermining state security;

1. Recalls that, in its resolution of 10 July 2025, Parliament demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Martin; deplores the continued non-compliance of the CAR authorities, which is further aggravating his situation;

whereas torture, ill-treatment, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare are widespread in CAR prisons, and pre-trial detention is frequently used against activists and political opponents;

2. Demands that the CAR authorities immediately and unconditionally release Mr Martin; stresses that the continued deprivation of liberty of an EU citizen in these circumstances remains unacceptable, in the light of serious concerns regarding due process and the fairness of proceedings;

whereas, on 4 November, the Criminal Court in of Bangui found Mr Figueira Martin guilty of complicity in criminal association and undermining state security, sentencing him to ten years of forced labour and ordering him to pay 50 million FCFA (approximately USD 88.136) in damages and civil reparations;

3. Urges the CAR authorities to immediately authorise Mr Martin’s medical evacuation, in view of the serious deterioration of his health and the onset of visual impairment, and, meanwhile, to guarantee immediate and unhindered access to specialised medical care, including by independent doctors, and to legal counsel, consular assistance and family visits, in full compliance with international human rights standards;

whereas, despite some improvements in the security situation in CAR following the 2025 N’Djamena peace agreement, challenges persist, including the demobilisation of the armed groups and the spill-over of the conflict in Sudan;

4. Calls on the Commission, the VP/HR and the Council, in coordination with Belgium and Portugal, to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on all individuals responsible for the arbitrary detention, mistreatment and conviction of Mr Martin, should the CAR authorities persist in violating his rights;

Calls for justice and accountability for acts of arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment Mr Figueira Martin endured;

5. Calls for an ad hoc mission from Parliament to the CAR to assess Mr Martin’s situation and increase the pressure for his release;

Strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Mr Figueira Martin and calls for his immediate and unconditional release;

6. Insists that any judicial proceedings, including any appeal proceedings, strictly comply with due process guarantees enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the CAR’s national legal framework, as their violation constitutes an infringement of fundamental rights;

Calls for full respect for his human rights, including personal safety access to legal defence, consular assistance, and adequate healthcare;

7. Reiterates its call on the Council to list the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation;

Urges the government of CAR to strengthen border management with Sudan to support refugees and prevent their exploitation by armed groups;

8. Stresses the duty of the EU and its Member States to protect humanitarian and development workers in all circumstances, and condemns their arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution; underlines that such acts violate international humanitarian law and the rights of humanitarian workers;

Encourages the government of CAR to address human rights violations and abuses committed by all parties to the conflict, including the Wagner Group, and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Government and Parliament of the Central African Republic, the African Union and the United Nations.

Urges the Council and the Commission to consider targeted sanctions against all individuals involved in the arbitrary detention of Mr Figueira Martin in CAR;

Underlines that all States and parties to armed conflict must respect, and ensure respect for, applicable international humanitarian law, including the protection of humanitarian workers in all circumstances, and must uphold and protect their human rights;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, the ACP-EU Council of Ministers and Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the UN Secretary -General, the UN Human Rights Council, the President, Prime Minister and Parliament of the Central Democratic Republic, and the African Union and its institutions.