Johnson's plan for refugees in the UK: Rwanda to become the "dreamland"
April 17, 2022, 12:23 pm

Johnson's plan for refugees in the UK: Rwanda to become the

Zara Saleh1

Boris Johnson's government plan for people who cross the Channel and illegally enter the UK and seek refugee will be "granted" one-way ticket to Rwanda's land, even despite the human rights issues in the country. Added to that, Rwanda authorities have the right to only accept people who have no criminal record with unlimited number of refugees who will be relocated to Rwanda.

A new deal has been signed recently in Rwanda's capital Kigali between the Home Office Priti Patel and the Rwandan government during her last visit. The agreement will take place this year and include other asylum seekers' cases from 2021 as well for adults who are crossing the English Channel and entering the UK by boats, train, and plane. The scheme plan for those who will be relocated to Rwanda and, then, seeking refugees there will not be expected to return back to the UK. Furthermore, once those people are leaving the UK territories, their cases as asylum seekers will be the Rwandan government's responsibility without any right to return to the UK. Of course, in Rwanda, those people can apply for refugee status in Rwanda. During their stay or "resettlement" in Rwanda, while claiming asylum seekers there will be offered accommodation in hostels and refugees will be under the Rwandan immigration rules. In other words, their fate will be in the hand of the Rwandan government regarding the immigration law. For instance, people who seeking refugees there could be deported if the Rwandan authorities found a criminal record, and eventually, they can be sent to the country of origin.

At a glance at the agreement that has been signed by the Home Office with the Rwandan authorities, the Johnsons scheme program will cost Britain around £120 million as an integration fund and support to implement the plan and would “save countless lives” as the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. Moreover, in 2021, more than 28,000 people have crossed the English Channel and the figure per daily crossing the Channel could reach around one thousand this year, according to UK officials. However, the Prime Minister's plan has been criticised by refugee organisations in the Uk, human rights organisations regarding the deal with the Rwandan government, and the concerns about Rwanda's human rights issues as well. Johson's plan was under critics from the UK opposition as well, as the Labour leader Keir Starmer criticised Tory's plan as "unworkable and extortionate". Whereas, some other politicians described Johnson's scheme as "evil and inhumane" and also it has been criticised even by some conservative’s leaders.

Consequently, such a plan to send people to Rwanda, could not be the right plan and decision to solve the ongoing refugee crisis and the government should search to address the roots of the refugee problems instead of sending those people to the poorest developing countries such as Rwanda who already are suffering human right issues and discrimination.

BY: Zara Saleh

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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.