“Mr. Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese citizen, was kidnapped by the Wagner group and subsequently detained in the Central African Republic [CAR] for over 500 days under deplorable conditions. In the absence of credible and well-founded evidence justifying such a decision, […] there are no guarantees regarding the justice and independence of this process, nor have there been significant diplomatic advancements,” state the PS representatives in a question sent today to the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In the letter addressed to Kaja Kallas, the socialist representatives underscored the “need for urgent action to safeguard the rights of this European Union citizen.”
They question, therefore, “what direct diplomatic efforts have been – and will be – undertaken” by the head of EU diplomacy and what measures she will take “to ensure that Figueira Martin has access to a fair and independent trial,” which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
“Is she willing to impose specific EU measures if the CAR authorities persist in violating his rights, as requested by the European Parliament?” they further ask Kaja Kallas.
Last July, the European Parliament condemned CAR for human rights violations against the Belgian-Portuguese Joseph Figueira Martin, arbitrarily detained by the Wagner group and awaiting charges in the country for over a year.
The euro deputies approved the resolution with 617 votes in favor, four against, and 18 abstentions, authored by MEP Francisco Assis (PS).
During the debate, it was explained that the Belgian-Portuguese, who collaborated with the American non-governmental organization Health International 360, was detained and tortured by mercenaries from the Wagner group, linked to Russia, lacking legal assistance and facing physical and mental health issues.
In the resolution, the European assembly demanded that the CAR authorities allow the researcher, holding dual Portuguese and Belgian nationality, to have legal representation, consular assistance, and proper care, and they appeal for the swift authorization of his medical evacuation.
The euro deputies once again insisted that the EU Council designate the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization and emphasized that respect for human rights is essential for good cooperation between the European Union and the Central African Republic.
During the debate, Assis noted that the researcher, an expert in pastoralism (a way of life or social organization based on livestock breeding and pasture exploitation) and transhumance, is accused of being a spy for the United States, risking life imprisonment with hard labor.
