UNESCO awards Belarusian Association of Journalists press freedom prize
April 27, 2022, 7:06 am

UNESCO awards Belarusian Association of Journalists press freedom prize

UNESCO on Wednesday (Apr 27) awards its annual press freedom prize to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) (Photo: Pixabay)

The Anews reported, citing the AFP, the UN's cultural agency UNESCO on Wednesday said it was awarding its annual press freedom prize to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), for keeping independent media alive despite the crackdown by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko has unleashed a fierce crackdown against civil society and media in Belarus since a 2020 election that the West says was rigged and has led to the jailing of over 1,000 political prisoners.

The BAJ was founded in 1995, shortly after Lukashenko came to power in 1994, to pressure the authorities on press freedom. It has 1,300 members but was ordered to shut down by the judiciary in 2021 amid the latest crackdown.

Alfred Lela, chair of the prize's international jury, said: "By awarding the prize to the BAJ, we are standing by all journalists around the world who criticise, oppose and expose authoritarian politicians and regimes by transmitting truthful information and promoting freedom of expression."

Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus

Andrei Batsunets, chairman of BAJ, welcomed the award, which is the first time in the 25-year history of the prize it has been given to a group rather than an individual.

He told AFP in a telephone interview: "It's very unexpected. It is recognition for all independent Belarussian journalists who have worked in the last two years despite all the pressures, publishing bans and arrests."

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"It's a recognition for the whole community," added Batsunets, who left Belarus last year and now lives at an undisclosed location abroad.

According to a database maintained by the BAJ, there are currently 24 journalists behind bars in Belarus.

Batsunets said: "Practically all independent media in Belarus were banned as being extremist, blocked in the country and only accessible with a VPN (virtual private network). Many journalists left Belarus but some still continue to work, writing for media now based outside the country."

He emphasised: "But the fact that some have stayed shows how courageous they are."

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"For any authoritarian leader their goal is control of information. There has been constant pressure from the moment he (Lukashenko) came to power."

The prize, which will be handed out at a ceremony on May 2 in Uruguay, is named after Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano who was murdered in Bogota in 1986.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO director-general, said: "Once again, we are inspired by their example and reminded of the importance of ensuring the right of journalists everywhere to report freely and safely."

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According to reports by the BAJ and other activists, the crackdown against journalists in Belarus has continued in the last weeks.

The BAJ said that journalist for the Poland-based Belsat channel Katsiaryna Andreyeva was this month charged with treason and risks up to 15 years in prison when her trial begins in May.

It said that in the meantime, the editor of weekly Novy Chas, Oksana Kolb, was arrested last week and has now been detained for violating public order.

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The French foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned the arrest while saluting the efforts of Kolb and others to keep reliable information flowing in Belarus.

It said: "This process is a new illustration of the policy of continuous repression carried out by the Belarusian authorities against independent media and any form of opposition to the illegitimate regime of Alexander Lukashenko."

Source: anews

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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.