Geneva.. In parallel with the Human Rights Council's 50th session
Jurists, academics and activists discussing the human rights situation in Yemen
June 19, 2022, 11:44 am

Geneva. In parallel with the Human Rights Council's 50th session.

A symposium organized by the Yemeni Coalition of Independent Women in cooperation with the Anti-Extremism Project - America, the World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue, the Foundation for Coordination of Associations and Partners for Freedom of Conscience and the European Association for the Defence of Minorities highlighted the human rights situation in Yemen, held in the Swiss capital, Geneva on Friday.

At the symposium moderated by Christine Merry, Deputy Director for Coordination of Associations and Partners for Freedom of Conscience, Senior Director for Countering Extremism, Dr. Hans Jacob said: "The Houthi militia violates all international laws and treaties and threatens international peace and security by targeting the flyover and ballistic missiles to Yemen's residential areas and displacement camps, bombing civilian objects, economic infrastructure and vital installations in neighbouring countries. Confirming that this is a cover for Iran. However, Iran denies any such strikes.

Hans Jacob Schindler confirmed that the Houthis had received material support and training from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, and that Yemen had become a testing ground for Iran and Hezbollah, stating that there was an internal conflict between the Houthi group and that what united them was the fight against the legitimate government backed by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

On the Houthi threats to maritime navigation, Hans Jacob Schindler asserted that the Houthis represented a real threat to international navigation in the Red Sea by transforming public ports into operational centres through which international shipping lines, commercial and humanitarian vessels were targeted and vessels were booby-trapped and humanitarian and commercial vessels were being pirated.

For his part, the President of the World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue, Mr. Andy Vermont, condemned the religious persecution of the Houthi group against Bahaes, Jews, Christians, Muslims and other religious minorities, in order to follow the religious views of the Houthi regime.

Andy Vermont continued: "The Houthis do not care about religious freedom or freedom of conscience. They are the main perpetrators of countless disappearances, illegal detention, inhuman practices of torture of religious minorities, social discrimination against Ethiopians and Eritrean Christians, as well as the dramatic rise in corruption in Yemen."

On Jews in Yemen, Andy Vermaut said: "Four to six Jews remain in Yemen, and my heart breaks when I learn that the Houthis forced three Jewish families to flee the country and the incitement to which they are subjected by the Houthi imams to hate as well as incitement against them in textbooks, Knowing that they are indigenous to Yemen'

In turn, European Union Council International Affairs Advisor Dr. Manal al-Muslimi said that women in Yemen are the most vulnerable and not only lack their basic rights, but also lack individual freedoms. Houthis have long targeted women mainly journalists, human rights activists, political figures and influential women leaders, Such as Yemeni model Intisar al-Hammadi.

Regarding the targeting of women activists, women's rights and leaders, Al-Muslimi stated that the United Nations report of January last year revealed that Yemeni women and political or professional activists were imprisoned, tortured, disabled, sexually abused or persecuted, denied their rights to participate in social, political and economic life, and attempted to silence free voices advocating freedom, gender equality, democracy and freedom of expression ".

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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.