From the Document on Human Fraternity for Hope Probe and Human Rights ... the UAE Aspires to Future
March 26, 2021, 5:17 pm

Hope Probe

Human rights are not charity the State donates it to their citizens, they are rights for everyone who lives in a country as a citizen, refugee, or whatever they are. Human rights are principles that all countries follow to move forward with building the civilisation that begins with people then architecture, art, literature and does not end at a limit. Building people is the goal of any nation that is led wisely because people are the basis of construction and the reason behind destruction if their abilities are not used right and intelligently, and equal opportunities are not offered to contribute to building their nation. Hope Probe

Facts the UAE Realizes

It seems that a country like the United Arab Emirates is clearly aware of the need to build the human. Perhaps the Hope Probe, which reached Mars about six weeks ago, was clear evidence that the UAE aspires to future, in addition to signing the document on Human Fraternity on February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, together with Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The agreement was born of a fraternal open discussion between Francis and el-Tayeb to be evidence for promoting mutual respect."

The UAE efforts in defending Human Rights did not stop there. On Dec 9, 2019, the State reconfirmed it is committed to working hard for defending and promoting human rights according to human rights international standards. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Jarman, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Human Rights Affairs confirmed this in a workshop attended by members of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during their visit to the UAE. Al Jarman highlighted the efforts of the UAE to issue relevant laws and plans, especially in countering human trafficking, as well as other laws related to women’s rights, protecting foreign labour, people of determination*, children and senior citizens.**

The National Authority for Human Rights

The UAE efforts in Human Rights culminated in the announcement of Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, about preparing a draft law for the National Authority for Human Rights. "When the draft is completed, it will be presented to the Federal National Council (FNC) for discussion and approval.”

He pointed out then that: “The national plan for human rights, that is being prepared, comes to continue the UAE efforts to promote human rights activities and it is expected to complete the plan by the end of next year." "The UAE National Human Rights Plan will focus on strengthening the legislative system, promoting civil and political rights and it is an action plan for the next years." He noted

Credit for the Efforts

Efforts to level up human rights in the country drove some observers to evaluate them positively. On December 22, 2020, Wedad Buhumaid, Vice president of the Emirates Human Rights Association, confirmed that: "The UAE is showing an exceptional humanitarian experience in protecting human rights." In a speech on Human Rights Day, she said that: "The principles and aspirations of the UAE foreign policy have contributed to promoting human rights principles, and confirmed that respecting and ensuring them is a pillar of our wise leadership approach." Hope Probe

She continued: "Promoting and protecting human rights and ensuring justice, equality and a decent standard of living has become a major priority in this time where many countries are suffering crises and natural disasters. We urgently need to reform global policies starting from unconditional humanitarian dialogue and continuous work to spread the ideology of human rights more deeply. We need also to have international mechanisms to promote tolerance, coexistence and accepting the other which is essential to counter extremism and terrorism."

The Most Important Announcement

On December 14, 2020, the UAE officially announced the establishment of the "National Authority for Human Rights"* to monitor and enact human rights policies. Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made that announcement in a cabinet meeting and said on Twitter: “Today I chaired the last cabinet meeting in 2020. We announced the establishment of a National Authority for Human Rights in the UAE. The Authority will monitor Human Rights, enact policies and coordinate with all relevant authorities in the country."

The Chairman of the Board of the UAE Human Rights Association Muhammad Salem Dhuwain Al-Kaabi confirmed that “The UAE is showing an exceptional humanitarian experience in protecting human rights inspired by its cultural heritage and religious values that promote tolerance, equality and justice. The State makes sure to constantly pass and update laws in accordance with its commitment to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." "Among the international treaties on the protection of human rights that the UAE made sure to sign and commit to are the anti-trafficking law, the child protection law, the law of people with disabilities, the law of Juvenile Delinquency, and other laws and decisions that confirm that UAE is careful to protect human rights.

While the founding president of al-Habtoor Group Khalaf al-Habtoor said that: "What the UAE give for human rights is "way better" than what the Western countries do. "What are human rights? Human rights are the right to housing, children's rights, the right to education, the economic rights, the right to food, freedom of religion and belief, etc," He tweeted "If we compare what the Western countries do for their citizens and what UAE does for its own citizens. We are way better." He added

It seems that the UAE with the efforts of all Emiratis is determined to move forward with human rights despite the criticism from here and there from time to time. Nonetheless, time will show how honest and serious UAE is in aspiring to future represented by the Hope Probe, the document on Human Fraternity and the promotion of human values. Hope Probe

The Levant News

Levant

A Session to Set the Standards for Freelance Journalism in Qamishli Lebanon is the most expensive in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to the World Bank

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.