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Clarification Regarding the Suspension of Asylum Decisions for Syrians in Germany

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in the Federal Republic of Germany, known as BAMF, has announced the suspension of decisions on asylum applications submitted by Syrians that have not yet been concluded (approximately 47,000 applications).
I would like to clarify the following points:
- The suspension of decisions does not mean rejection or deportation (there is no deportation order).
- The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is part of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The Federal Ministry of the Interior cannot issue any deportation decisions to Syria without an assessment of the situation by the German Foreign Office (thus far, the German Foreign Office considers Syria an unsafe country).
- All family reunification applications for Syrians are ongoing, and there is no decision to halt them (and there will be none).
- All naturalization applications are ongoing, and there is no decision to stop them (and there will be none).
- The right to political asylum in Germany is an individual right enshrined in the German Constitution according to Article 16, and it can only be revoked through an amendment to the German Constitution (which is unlikely).
- Granting refugee status according to the Geneva Refugee Convention is protected, stipulating: Refugees must be protected according to the Geneva Refugee Convention (Article 3 of the Asylum Act) based on the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. Individuals who have a reasonable fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, political opinion, religion, or membership in a particular social group must be protected. (Revoking this is unlikely).
- The right to subsidiary protection (temporary residence): According to Directive 2011/95/EU (Qualification Directive), individuals who are eligible for subsidiary protection are those who, although not holding refugee status as defined in the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, would practically be in a refugee situation due to the risk of facing serious harm if they return to their home country. Serious harm, as intended in Article 15 of the Qualification Directive, includes:
- The imposition of the death penalty or its execution.
- Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Serious individual threat to life or safety of a civilian due to indiscriminate violence in the context of an international or internal armed conflict.
### General Advice:
- All refugees (regardless of their type of residency) and even those whose applications have not yet been decided or who have had their applications suspended should learn the German language.
- Enter the labor market.
- Commit to and respect the laws of the country.
Maksim Al-Issa - Journalist based in Berlin
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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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