resolution motion, 19 January 2026
On the case of Joseph Figueira Martin
Motion B-10-2026-0094 · (2026/2572(RSP))
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis
AI:In short
This resolution concerns the case of Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese humanitarian researcher kidnapped in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2024 and sentenced to ten years of hard labour. Parliament urges his release and calls for action to protect humanitarian workers. It calls on the EU and member states to engage with CAR authorities, consider restrictive measures, and establish a European mechanism for protecting humanitarian workers worldwide.
Key points
- Urges the CAR authorities to overturn the conviction of Joseph Figueira Martin and immediately and unconditionally release him.
- Calls on the HR/VP and member states to take all possible steps, in coordination with Belgian and Portuguese authorities, to secure his release and ensure his rights, including legal defence, consular assistance, and healthcare.
- Urges the EU and member states to engage with CAR authorities to protect humanitarian workers and uphold their rights under international humanitarian law.
- Reiterates its call on the Council to include the Wagner Group on the EU terrorist list and expresses concern over foreign interference in the CAR.
- Calls on CAR authorities to ensure armed groups cease illegal and arbitrary arrests and attacks against humanitarian and NGO workers.
- Calls on the EU to strengthen protection of humanitarian workers and establish a European mechanism for their protection worldwide.
- Calls on the Council and HR/VP to consider targeted restrictive measures against those responsible for human rights violations in CAR, including related to the arbitrary detention of Joseph Figueira Martin.
Who is affected
- Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese humanitarian researcher, who is detained in the CAR.
- Humanitarian and NGO workers in the Central African Republic, who face illegal arrests and attacks.
- The CAR authorities, who are urged to release him and ensure armed groups stop abuses.
- The EU, its member states, and the HR/VP, who are called on to take diplomatic and restrictive measures.
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 17 paragraphs
B100094/2026
(2026/2572(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
having regard to its resolution of 10 July 2025 on the case of Joseph Figueira Martin,
whereas Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese humanitarian researcher working for the NGO FHI 360, was kidnapped on 26 May 2024 in the Central African Republic (CAR) by the Wagner group, and later handed over to the CAR authorities;
whereas the charges brought against him by the CAR authorities are based on unfounded accusations; whereas he remained in detention for over a year without a trial; whereas he was tortured and threatened with death and held in inhumane conditions without medical care, leading to serious deterioration of his health with numerous infections, repeated bouts of malaria and near blindness in one eye;
whereas on November 4, 2025, a Criminal Court sentenced Joseph Figueira Martin to ten years of hard labour based on forged charges of espionage and terrorism notably; whereas his trial was marked by numerous intentional procedural errors; whereas he appealed against this sentence;
whereas armed groups operating in the CAR have been carrying out illegal and arbitrary arrests and detentions; whereas Russia-linked actors are spreading a pattern of foreign disinformation, notably against humanitarian workers, and manipulation operations in CAR;
whereas the EU supports CAR population, providing humanitarian, security and development aid, and fill the gap left by other donors; whereas respect of human rights, democracy and governance are priority areas of partnership with ACP countries under the Samoa Agreement;
Urges the CAR authorities to overturn the conviction of Joseph Figueira Martin and immediately and unconditionally release him;
Calls on the HR/VP and Member States to take all possible steps, in coordination with Belgian and Portuguese authorities, to secure Joseph Figueira Martin’s release and ensure his rights are upheld including access to legal defence, consular assistance, and adequate healthcare;
Read the rest (5 paragraphs)
Urges the EU and its Member States to critically engage with the CAR authorities to ensure the protection of the humanitarian workers and the upholding of their rights in respect of the international humanitarian law;
Reiterates its call on the Council to include the Wagner Group on the EU terrorist list; expresses deep concern over growing politically motivated foreign interference in the CAR, including through Russian paramilitary forces and disinformation campaigns; calls on the CAR authorities to ensure that armed groups immediately cease illegal and arbitrary arrests and attacks against humanitarian and NGO workers;
Calls on the EU to strengthen the protection of humanitarian workers and for the establishment of a European mechanism for the protection of humanitarian workers worldwide;
Calls on the Council and the HR/VP to consider the adoption of targeted restrictive measures against those responsible of Human Rights violations in CAR, including related to the arbitrary detention of Joseph Figueira-Martin;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the Member States, the AU, the UN, and the Government and Parliament of the CAR.