resolution motion, 19 January 2026
On Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic
Motion B-10-2026-0093 · (2026/2572(RSP))
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Wouter Beke, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Isabel WiselerLima, Andrey Kovatchev, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Miriam Lexmann, Tomáš Zdechovský, Liudas Mažylis, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Jan Farský, Luděk Niedermayer, Danuše Nerudová, Inese Vaidere, Vangelis Meimarakis, Reinhold Lopatka, Loránt Vincze, Hélder Sousa Silva
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the arbitrary detention of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic and calls for his immediate release, respect for his human rights, and accountability for his treatment. It urges the CAR government to strengthen border management with Sudan, address human rights violations by all parties including the Wagner Group, and urges the Council and Commission to consider targeted sanctions against those involved in the detention. It underlines that all states and parties to armed conflict must respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of humanitarian workers.
Key points
- Calls for justice and accountability for acts of arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane treatment endured by Mr Figueira Martin.
- Strongly condemns the arbitrary detention 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 CAR government to strengthen border management with Sudan to support refugees and prevent their exploitation by armed groups.
- Encourages the CAR government to address human rights violations by all parties, including the Wagner Group, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
- Urges the Council and Commission to consider targeted sanctions against all individuals involved in the arbitrary detention.
- Underlines that all states and parties to armed conflict must respect international humanitarian law, including protection of humanitarian workers.
Who is affected
- Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese researcher and development consultant, detained in CAR.
- The government of the Central African Republic, urged to take actions on border management and human rights.
- The Council and Commission, urged to consider targeted sanctions.
- All states and parties to armed conflict, reminded of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
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 21 paragraphs
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;
Read the rest (9 paragraphs)
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.