Sittings · Document

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2796(RSP)) 2025-07-07

On case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Seán Kelly, Tomáš Zdechovský, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Tomas Tobé, Wouter Beke, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Mirosława Nykiel, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Inese Vaidere

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

This resolution concerns the case of Ryan Cornelius, a British national arbitrarily detained in the UAE since 2008. It calls for his immediate release, reparations, and medical care, and urges the UK and EU to act.

Key points

  1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ryan Cornelius.
  2. Demands full reparations for the suffering Ryan Cornelius and his family have endured.
  3. Condemns the arbitrary and prolonged detention and human rights violations, including denial of fair trial, due process, and adequate medical treatment.
  4. Demands that UAE authorities allow independent medical experts to assess his condition and provide urgent treatment.
  5. Denounces the retroactive application of Law No. 37 of 2009 and urges the UAE to abolish debt-related imprisonment.
  6. Expresses solidarity with Ryan Cornelius's family.
  7. Calls on the United Kingdom to take all necessary action to ensure his release.
  8. Calls on the VP/HR, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, and Member States to raise the case in all bilateral engagements with the UAE.

Who is affected

  • Ryan Cornelius, a British national detained in the UAE, and his family.
  • UAE authorities, who are called to release him and provide reparations and medical care.
  • United Kingdom government, called to take action for his release.
  • EU institutions and member states, called to raise the case with the UAE.

Figures and deadlines

  • 71-year-old British national
  • detained since 2008
  • initially sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment
  • extended by an additional 20 years
  • on 18 July 2024, the UAE court rejected his request for release

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.