UN Reporter: American Citizen in Taliban Prison Needs Urgent Medical Care

A United Nations reporter stated on Thursday, June 14, that the Taliban must provide urgent medical services to Ryan Corbett, an American citizen who has been imprisoned in Afghanistan for nearly two years, to prevent irreparable harm to his health or even death. According to Reuters, Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, said, "The Taliban must provide medical services to Ryan Corbett in a civilian hospital without delay." She added that Ryan Corbett, an American humanitarian worker, has been detained without any charges "in conditions that are completely unfavorable and far below international standards." The UN special rapporteur noted that this situation has a "significant impact on his physical and mental health" and that she has directly communicated this issue to the Taliban. She warned that without adequate medical care, Ryan Corbett is "at risk of irreparable harm or even death." Ryan Corbett moved to Afghanistan with his family in 2010. He worked with NGOs and then started his own company called "Bloom Afghanistan" by providing consulting and project assessments. After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, he left the country in 2021 with his family but continued to work with his organization and returned to Afghanistan in January 2022 to renew his business visa. His lawyers stated that the Taliban arrested Ryan Corbett in August 2022, despite having a valid visa, after he returned to pay salaries and train his staff. A German national and two Afghans who were detained with Corbett were later released. The UN expert also mentioned that Corbett has suffered from multiple medical issues, including severe weight loss, and has repeatedly expressed suicidal thoughts and self-harm. The United States has had no diplomatic presence in Kabul since the Taliban took control in August 2021 following the withdrawal of American forces.