On Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

B100093/2026

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

(2026/2572(RSP))

The European Parliament,

The European Parliament,

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

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

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;

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

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

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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

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

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;

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.