resolution motion, 19 January 2026
On the Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic
Motion B-10-2026-0096 · (2026/2572(RSP))
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Assita Kanko, Bogdan Rzońca, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Ivaylo Valchev, Aurelijus Veryga, Alberico Gambino, Alexandr Vondra, Marlena Maląg, Carlo Fidanza, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Reinis Pozņaks
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the arbitrary arrest, torture and sentencing of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic and urges his immediate release. It calls on the EU and member states to monitor the case, assist Martin and his family, and counter Russian influence and the Wagner Group in the region.
Key points
- Strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, torture and sentencing of Joseph Figueira Martin.
- Urges the CAR authorities to release Martin immediately and ensure access to medical services, family visits, legal representation and consular assistance.
- Condemns any form of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment or torture as prohibited under international law.
- Calls on the EU Delegation in Bangui, the EEAS and member states' missions to monitor the case, seek access to the detainee and raise it with CAR authorities.
- Expresses sympathy with Martin's family and calls on the EU and member states to assist him and his family.
- Expresses concern about Russian influence and the human rights situation in the CAR, and calls to counter Russian presence and propaganda.
- Condemns the Wagner Group/Africa Corps' involvement in human rights abuses and reiterates the call to designate it as a terrorist organisation.
Who is affected
- Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese humanitarian researcher detained in the CAR.
- The Central African Republic authorities, who are urged to release him and ensure his rights.
- The EU Delegation in Bangui, the EEAS and member states' diplomatic missions, tasked with monitoring and raising the case.
- The Wagner Group/Africa Corps, condemned for human rights abuses and targeted for terrorist designation.
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
B100096/2026
European Parliament resolution on the Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic
(2026/2572(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolutions on the Central African Republic (CAR);
having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure;
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whereas Joseph Figueira Martin, a dual Belgian-Portuguese citizen and humanitarian researcher working for the NGO FHI 360, was kidnapped on 26 May 2024 in Zemio, a city in the eastern part of the CAR by the Wagner Group; whereas he was held incommunicado for three days, being tortured and beaten up and handed over the CAR authorities that placed him in a military prison;
whereas Mr. Martin has been held in an overpopulated prison under inhumane conditions, without access to healthcare despite his deteriorating health situation;
whereas disinformation methods and lies were used against him to detain him;
whereas in October 2025, Mr. Martin was sentenced, based on unfounded accusations and without a fair trial, to 10 years of hard labour, and a fine of 50 million CFA francs for undermining state security and criminal association;
whereas the Central African Republic continues to face systemic challenges related to the rule of law, judicial independence, and prison conditions;
Read the rest (9 paragraphs)
whereas the protection of individuals against arbitrary arrest and detention is a core obligation under the ICCPR and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
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Strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, torture and sentencing of Joseph Figueira Martin;
Urges the CAR authorities to release Joseph Figueira Martin immediately; stresses that detaining and sentencing him without due process infringes on his fundamental rights and clearly violates international standards of justice; urges the CAR authorities to ensure him access to medical services, to family visits, legal representation and consular in accordance with international human rights standards;
Strongly condemns any form of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment or torture, and recalls that such practices are strictly prohibited under international law and can never be justified;
Calls on the EU Delegation in Bangui, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the Member States’ diplomatic missions to closely monitor the case, to seek access to the detainee, and to raise the matter with the CAR authorities at the highest political level;
Express its sympathy with Mr Martin’s family and calls on the EU and its Member States to assist him and his family in any way possible;
Expresses deep concern about the strong Russian influence and deteriorating human rights situation in the CAR; calls to counter the malign Russian presence and propaganda narratives in the CAR and the wider region; strongly condemns the Wagner Group/Africa Corps’ involvement in widespread human rights abuses; reiterates its call to the Council to designate the Wagner Group/Africa Corps as a terrorist organisation;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the CAR Government, the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the African Union and the International Court of Justice.