UN experts urge UAE to free British businessman held since 2008

United Nations human rights experts are calling on the United Arab Emirates to immediately release 72-year-old British businessman Ryan Cornelius, who has remained imprisoned long after completing his original sentence.

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We call on the Emirati government to release Mr Cornelius without delay.

The experts stated that Cornelius's continued detention risks his health and life. "We call on the Emirati government to release Mr Cornelius without delay," they urged in a statement. He has been held behind bars following a 20-year sentence extension, which the experts described as imposed in proceedings marred by "serious judicial irregularities." His detention had previously been deemed arbitrary by a UN working group.

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He remains behind bars following a 20-year extension imposed in proceedings marred by serious judicial irregularities.

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 in connection with a financing dispute. He was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to 10 years. Shortly before his sentence was due to end, his imprisonment was reportedly extended by another 20 years based on an alleged outstanding debt. However, civil proceedings in Bahrain reportedly concluded in 2020 that assets and payments transferred had fully discharged Cornelius's debt, even exceeding the amount owed.

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International human rights law rejects the notion that one can be imprisoned to enforce a civil debt.

"International human rights law rejects the notion that one can be imprisoned to enforce a civil debt," the experts asserted. They highlighted that "given his age, the length of his detention, his deteriorating health and reports of inadequate medical care and poor conditions, urgent action must be taken to avoid irreparable harm." The experts urged Emirati authorities to remove any obstacles to his release and indicated they have been in contact with both the Emirati and British governments to seek a diplomatic resolution.

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Given his age, the length of his detention, his deteriorating health and reports of inadequate medical care and poor conditions, urgent action must be taken to avoid irreparable harm.