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An international conference in Brussels examines the deteriorating human rights situation in Turkey

On Monday, January 27, the Brussels International Research Center held a conference and lunch discussion titled "Turkey's Deepening Deterioration of Human Rights: From Emergency to a Perpetual Crackdown," at the European Press Club in Brussels.
The center, which is based in the Belgian capital, noted in a framing and introductory paper that this conference comes One day prior to the UN Universal Periodic Review on Turkey, as Turkey remains a world leader in the arrest and imprisonment of journalists, and in human rights violations generally.
The paper added: "There were approximately 180 journalists and media workers in Turkey in detention without trial or serving sentences on terrorism charges without any compelling evidence of their involvement in any criminal activity, and hundreds of others are being prosecuted, including civil servants and teachers and politicians, as well as police and military officers. "
Reports from civil society and OHCHR sources indicate continued torture, ill-treatment, and inhuman and degrading practices in Turkish police headquarters and prisons, as well as the absence of any meaningful investigation.
The Brussels International Research Center, which is supervised by the researcher and political analyst, Ramadan Abu Jazar, notes that all these issues have been raised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on several occasions, as well as the European Union spokesperson, but without any practical action against the Turkish authorities.
According to the conference program confirmed speakers included European Parliament Vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defense and Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, Ozlem Demirel, who gave the keynote speech of the conference, and Dogan Ozguden, a Turkish journalist and publisher, Sibylle Gioé, international human rights lawyer, International Trial Observer for Turkish Lawyers, Ihsan Cibelik, Turkish Political Activist and Musiciannfrom the famous Turkish band Yorum.
The conference was also attended by credible human rights organizations in its field of work, diplomats and international experts, and several families of victims who were subjected to severe and grave violations that rocked Turkish and international civil society, as members of Yorum band known for its strong political songs for decades, which released twenty-three albums And one movie since 1985.
The Turkish, European and American press have always published news of the obstacles and tribulations suffered by the Yorum band, among which are the arbitrary ban of many of the band's concerts and albums over the years, and the targeting of the repressive Turkish security authorities of their members by systematically and continuously arresting and torturing them.
Ihsan Cibelik a member of the band who suffered from the scourge of arbitrary imprisonment and unjustified torture, along with the rest of the Yorum members, provided the details and data about these recorded violations, which became more fierce and aggressive during the reign of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and two members of the Yurom band performed a banned song in Turkey on guitar and bouzouki.
During the conference, the current human rights situation in Turkey, which Erdogan rules with an iron fist, was evaluated. The participants proposed evidence-based strategic recommendations as part of the action plan to improve the human rights situation in Turkey.
A delegation from the conference will present this set of recommendations to the President of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, Marie Arena, and a delegation was sent to Geneva to deliver the proposed recommendations to the President of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, Elizabeth Tychy Vesperger, on Tuesday.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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