European Parliament Demands Release of International Human Rights Advisors’ Pro Bono Client, Ryan Cornelius

In July 2025, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly – 511 votes to 50 – in favour of a resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Cornelius, a British citizen and pro bono client of Rhys Davies and Ben Keith, who has been unlawfully imprisoned in Dubai for 17 years. The vote sends a clear message recognising the serious violations of Mr Cornelius’s rights and the urgent need for international pressure.

Mr Cornelius, now 71 years old, was arrested in 2008 on disputed fraud charges linked to a property development loan from Dubai Islamic Bank. Initially sentenced to 10 years, his punishment was arbitrarily extended by a further 20 years in 2018, just as he was due for release. This extension was applied retroactively under Dubai Law No. 37 of 2009, in breach of international legal standards.

In 2022, the Grupo de Trabajo de las Naciones Unidas sobre la Detención Arbitraria (UNWGAD) examined Mr Cornelius’ case and concluded that he is being held arbitrarily over the allegations of unpaid debts.

The European Parliament resolution, citing the UNWGAD, condemns the violations of due process in Mr Cornelius’s case, including coerced confessions, denial of legal counsel, prolonged solitary confinement, and inhumane prison conditions. Independent auditors have also confirmed that assets seized from Mr Cornelius were worth far more than the original debt in question.

The case has also been recognised by the U.S. State Department. In its 2024 Country Report on Human Rights Practices for the UAE, the Department highlighted a June report by Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), noting that:

“Ryan Cornelius, a British entrepreneur, remained arbitrarily detained under harsh conditions. Cornelius was arrested in 2008 on charges of fraud related to a property development project in Dubai. According to DAWN, there was a lack of evidence in the case; the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared his detention arbitrary and called for his release.”

This U.S. acknowledgement adds to the growing international consensus that Mr Cornelius’s detention is unlawful and must end.

Crucially, the resolution highlights that under Article 7(1) of Law 37 of 2009, prisoners over the age of 70 should not be subject to continued detention. Despite this, Mr Cornelius remains imprisoned, and his health continues to deteriorate,

The resolution calls for:

– The immediate and unconditional release of Ryan Cornelius;

– Compensation and reparations in line with international legal obligations;

– Access to urgent and adequate medical treatment in accordance with international standards;

– An end to the retroactive use of debt-related imprisonment;

– Stronger UK government action to secure his release and return to the UK.

At IHR Advisors, we stand with Ryan Cornelius and his family in welcoming this decisive vote from the European Parliament. It is now imperative that both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates act swiftly to end this injustice and allow Ryan to return home after 17 years of arbitrary detention.

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Imagen: mirza mustofa via Unsplash