Case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

European Parliament resolution of 22 January 2026 on the case of Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2026/2572(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

A.whereas Joseph Figueira Martin, a dual Belgian-Portuguese citizen and humanitarian researcher working for the non-governmental organisation FHI 360, was kidnapped on 26 May 2024 in the Central African Republic (CAR) by the Wagner Group while working on a development project and was later handed over to the CAR authorities;

B.whereas he was held in solitary confinement at the OCRB in Bangui in a Wagner-operated facility and was tortured; whereas he remained in detention for over a year in inhumane conditions without access to medical care and without trial;

C.whereas on 4 November 2025, a criminal court in Bangui found Mr Martin guilty of offences including complicity in criminal conspiracy and undermining state security, sentenced him to 10 years of forced labour, and ordered him to pay 50 million CFA francs in damages and civil compensation, on the basis of unfounded accusations;

1.Recalls that, in its resolution of 10 July 2025, Parliament demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Martin; deplores the continued non-compliance of the CAR authorities, which is further aggravating his situation;

2.Demands that the CAR authorities immediately and unconditionally release Mr Martin; stresses that the continued deprivation of liberty of an EU citizen in these circumstances remains unacceptable, in the light of serious concerns regarding due process and the fairness of proceedings;

3.Urges the CAR authorities to immediately authorise Mr Martin’s medical evacuation, in view of the serious deterioration of his health and the onset of visual impairment, and, meanwhile, to guarantee immediate and unhindered access to specialised medical care, including by independent doctors, and to legal counsel, consular assistance and family visits, in full compliance with international human rights standards;

4.Calls on the Commission, the VP/HR and the Council, in coordination with Belgium and Portugal, to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on all individuals responsible for the arbitrary detention, mistreatment and conviction of Mr Martin, should the CAR authorities persist in violating his rights;

5.Calls for an ad hoc mission from Parliament to the CAR to assess Mr Martin’s situation and increase the pressure for his release;

6.Insists that any judicial proceedings, including any appeal proceedings, strictly comply with due process guarantees enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the CAR’s national legal framework, as their violation constitutes an infringement of fundamental rights;

7.Reiterates its call on the Council to list the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation;

8.Stresses the duty of the EU and its Member States to protect humanitarian and development workers in all circumstances, and condemns their arbitrary arrest, detention or prosecution; underlines that such acts violate international humanitarian law and the rights of humanitarian workers;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Government and Parliament of the Central African Republic, the African Union and the United Nations.