resolution motion, 19 January 2026
On Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic
Motion B-10-2026-0066 · (2026/2572(RSP))
on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Catarina Martins
- Voted on Thursday, 22 January 2026 · Adopted 582 for, 0 against, 35 abstained · See the decision →
- Where the law stands · dossier 2026/2572 →
AI:In short
The resolution concerns Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese citizen detained in the Central African Republic, and calls for his rights to be respected. It calls on authorities to guarantee legal remedies, lawyer access, proper detention conditions, medical care, and an independent investigation into allegations of torture. It condemns the forced labour sentence and the presence of the Wagner Group, urging accountability.
Key points
- Calls on Central African authorities to guarantee all legal remedies, confidential access to lawyers, detention conditions per international standards, and medical care, including independent doctors and evacuation if needed.
- Calls on judicial authorities to respect international obligations under the African Commission on Human Rights and People's Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, notably Article 14 on fair trial.
- Calls for an independent, impartial investigation into allegations of torture or ill-treatment and prosecution of those responsible if violations are established.
- Condemns the forced labour sentence as incompatible with international standards, particularly the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and calls for annulment or revision.
- Denounces the presence of the Wagner Group and urges holding them accountable for abuses against civilians.
- Underlines that private military and security companies and paramilitary groups in Africa contribute to violence, human rights abuses, weakening rule of law, and resource capture, fueling impunity.
Who is affected
- Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese citizen detained in the Central African Republic, would benefit from the calls for legal remedies and medical care.
- Central African authorities and judicial authorities are called on to act to ensure his rights.
- The Wagner Group is denounced and urged to be held accountable.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 18 paragraphs
B100066/2026
European Parliament resolution on Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic
(2026/2572(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolution on Central African Republic,
having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
Whereas on 26 May 2024, Joseph Figueira Martin a Belgian-Portuguese citizen working for an US NGO, was detained by the Wagner Group in Zémio, Central African Republic;
Whereas he was accused among other crimes of financing and coordinating activities for armed groups, and undermining the security of the state;
Whereas in November 2025, he was sentenced to ten years of forced labour and over one million euros fine, whereas forced labour as a criminal punishment raises serious concerns under international human rights law, in particular regarding the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment;
Whereas serious concerns have been publicly expressed about respect for the right to a fair trial, conditions of detention, and access to healthcare, whereas his health is deteriorating according to his lawyers and relatives;
Whereas it would appear that several pieces of evidence were confiscated or added by Wagner's mercenaries and were not disclosed to the investigating judge;
Calls on the Central African authorities to immediately guarantee the exercise of all legal remedies to Joseph Figueira Martin, effective and confidential access to his lawyers, conditions of detention in accordance with international standards, as well as regular access to appropriate medical care, including by independent doctors, and, if necessary, medical evacuation;
Read the rest (6 paragraphs)
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;
Calls for an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into all allegations of torture or ill-treatment, and for those responsible to be prosecuted if violations are established;
Condemns the sentence of forced labour imposed on Joseph Figueira Martin as incompatible with international standards, in particular with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; calls on the Central African authorities to annul or revise this sentence accordingly;
Denounces the presence of the Wagner Group and urges to hold them accountable for their abuses against civilians;
Underlines that the proliferation of private military and security companies and paramilitary groups operating in Africa, often in secrecy and with ambiguous chains of command, contributes to the escalation of violence, serious human rights abuses, the weakening of the rule of law, and the capture of natural resources to the detriment of the population; further notes that these actors fuel impunity and hinder efforts to achieve peace, justice, and the protection of civilians;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Central African authorities.