Senate Resolution No. 1800

BY: Senator HELMING

CALLING for the safe return of Ryan Corbett, and
expressing our deepest condolences to his family and
friends

WHEREAS, Ryan Corbett moved his family to Afghanistan in 2010 and
provided aid to the Afghan population through his work with local
non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Ryan Corbett founded "Bloom Afghanistan" to
provide consulting and microloans to Afghan small businesses in an
effort to help build a self-sustaining local economy; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Corbett was forced to leave his life, community, and
Afghan partners behind during the August 2021 Taliban takeover of
Afghanistan and the ensuing evacuation of American citizens; and

WHEREAS, In August 2022, Ryan Corbett traveled to Afghanistan for a
10-day trip to check in on his business and employees and was detained
by the Taliban; and

WHEREAS, The Taliban detained Ryan Corbett without charging him with
a crime or granting him due process in any judicial proceedings; and

WHEREAS, It is reported that Ryan Corbett is being held in a 9-foot
by 9-foot cell with two other detainees; and

WHEREAS, It is reported that Ryan Corbett has been held in solitary
confinement for months at a time; and

WHEREAS, It is reported Ryan Corbett is being denied regular access
to a medical care, sunlight, or adequate nutrition; and

WHEREAS, It has been reported Ryan Corbett is in deteriorating
health, suffering from seizures, fainting, and discolored extremities;
and

WHEREAS, The Taliban has not granted Ryan Corbett any consular
visits by Department of State personnel; and

WHEREAS, During his detention, Ryan Corbett has only had three phone
calls totaling 22 minutes with his family, and has only had two
in-person visits with representatives of the United States protecting
power in Afghanistan, Qatar; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Corbett turned 40 years old during his wrongful
detention, and it is reported his physical and mental health is rapidly
declining due to the stress and harsh conditions; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Corbett's family fears he will not survive his
wrongful detention; and

WHEREAS, On October 10, 2023, Ryan Corbett was designated as
wrongfully detained by the United States Department of State; and


WHEREAS, United States citizen Ryan Corbett is known to have lived a
life of service, by supporting humanitarian projects in Afghanistan and
helping the Afghan people start and operate small businesses; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Corbett is known to his family, friends, colleagues,
and associates as a loving father, as well as a kind, service-oriented
man; and

WHEREAS, It is time to bring this American citizen home; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
call for the safe return of Ryan Corbett, and to express our deepest
condolences to his family.