HE Interior Ministers holds a meeting with heads and representatives of human rights organisations
October 12, 2021, 6:39 pm

HE Interior Ministers holds a meeting with heads and representatives of human rights organisations

Bahrain

His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa held an online meeting today with heads and representatives of human rights organisations in Bahrain. The meeting that was part of community partnership and human rights reinforcement was attended by the Chief of Public Security and media representatives.

At the beginning of the meeting, HE Interior Minister delivered the following speech:

I'm glad to meet you today and would like to hail your significant humanitarian role. We put our hands together to protect the noble human rights values and principles that were strongly highlighted in the speech of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during the opening of the 4th season of the 5th legislative term of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.

I highly value the contents of the speech for being a roadmap for the national work and reflecting HM the King's closeness to his people in different locations and occasions. I hailed the directives of HM the King for setting up mechanisms and infrastructure to adopt the reformation centre development and the open prisons programme per specific regulations. The directives are out of the dedication of HM the King to protect the social fabric and the care for all, including those who committed wrong deeds to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. It is a continuation of the success of the alternative penalties programmes as a national and humanitarian project to develop the criminal justice system and the continuation of human rights promoting efforts.

Brothers and sisters

You know that human rights are considered a national success story in the Kingdom of Bahrain through joint efforts between official organisations and the NGOs backed by the visions of HM the King. It is also based on the National Action Charter that was endorsed to protect all our rights and promote the sovereignty of law and protection of human rights through freedoms, tolerance, social coexistence and the respect of others. Human rights in Bahrain is a civilised legacy and part of the social culture of Bahrainis. However, despite the honourable humanitarian reality proven by clear facts, there are media allegations attempt to harm national achievements. These allegations are a call for disunity and sectarianism. It is, no doubt, an incitement media that promotes chaos. We have questions, who serves this negative media approach? Is it a service for the enemy?

Flag of Bahrain/Shutterstock

Without any doubt, it isn't serving the interest and unity of the people in the region. Such media platforms and channels and those hiding behind their defaming news should know that the chaos won't come back. We won't allow it to come back. It is rejected in Bahrain. By the grace of God, the people of Bahrain are united and won't care for such news or voices. Through our history and experiences, we learned how to deal with the crisis and emerge from them, and we are better. We are more aware of how to manage our internal affairs. We work together within spaces of love and royal love of HM the King. The best person to implement the visions of HM the King and his future inspirations is His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The dedication and national sincerity remain the turning points in overcoming the crisis. The Gulf security within the regional and fast world changes requires all energies to promote unity to protect our people and vital accomplishments. Our national media represent our front to the world through a unified strategy. Finally, within such a situation, I affirm that the years of wrong media information won't change family bonds between citizens and joint families in our countries because they are more significant than such defaming news and media. May God protect our tolerant national human identity under the leadership of HM the King. Peace, mercy and blessings of God.

Meanwhile, the President of the National Institute for Human Rights, Abdullah Al Durazi, highlighted the role of Bahrain in reinforcing the human rights system to meet democratic principles as part of the reform project of HM the King. He said that all look forward to enhancing the system per international standards.

While the President of Bahrain Jurists Society delivered a speech praising the role of Bahrainis in promoting human rights.

After that, HE Interior Minister listened to some comments and views by the participants about the efforts of Bahrain and its human rights initiatives. They highlighted that human rights are deep-rooted in Bahrain's society and culture.

source: MOI

The UK’s Covid History Macron announces 30-billion euro plan for investment and innovation

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.