Joint Statement on the re-cooperation between Interpol and Syrian Government
November 17, 2021, 1:04 pm

Interpol

During the past few days, the media circulated the news of the restoration of cooperation between the International Criminal Police Organization and the Syrian government, which was confirmed by the organization through the statement of its media office, which allows the Syrian security authorities to access the database in the organization's communication network and to communicate with the member states of the organization individually. And the restoration of the Syria office and its powers in general.

This decision raises real concern and fear among Syrians in general and those residing outside Syria in particular, because of its serious repercussions on their safety and freedom.

Although the basic principle adopted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) is political neutrality and keenness not to harm those wanted for political reasons.

Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria/Pixabay

However, the Syrian government and its security and judicial services have the ability to circumvent this ban by not recognizing the presence of political opponents and civil or media activists. Since the start of the popular uprising in Syria, they have been classifying those, including activists who worked in humanitarian and medical relief, as terrorists and wanted criminals.

We call the Interpol's attention to the possibility of the regime abusing its membership in the organization, and that it issues international arrest warrants for political, not criminal reasons.

The following are the most important points that constitute causes for real fear and anxiety among Syrians:

- This step gives the Syrian security authorities the ability to follow up on Syrian dissidents and refugees residing outside Syria and know their whereabouts around the world through individual communication with countries and warning bulletins issued by these authorities in preparation for issuing arrest warrants against them and requesting their extradition upon receiving notification from any country they have entered.

- Through the red notice, the Syrian security authorities will be able to request the extradition of any political opponent, civil activist, media or relief activist, or the families of the forcibly detained from the countries in which they reside. It is no secret to anyone that the Syrian government considers all of these terrorists and criminals. Thousands of them have been sentenced in absentia by the Terrorism Court and Military Field Courts, in addition, there are thousands of detainees in detention centers. Despite the peaceful nature of their political and civil activities.

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- This step will negatively affect Syrian refugees and new asylum seekers in countries of asylum. As the dissemination of the names of the Syrians through bulletins of all kinds and through the individual communication of the Syrian security authorities with countries. It will constitute a legal obstacle for the immigration authorities to prevent them from granting asylum or from renewing their expired residency. It will also be a pretext for some countries that are working to forcibly return refugees and hand them over to the Syrian security authorities.

The signatory organizations:

Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research
Horan Free League
Syrian feminist lobby
Caesar Families Association
Adel Center For Human rights
Pro-justice
Jana Watan
Syrian women Committee
Syrian Lawyers Aggrigation
Al-Kawakibi Center for Transitional Justice and Human Rights
Impunity Watch
Adopt a Revolution e.V.
The Syrian Women's Political Movement
The Syria Campaign
Families for Freedom
Women Now for Development
Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR)
Local Development and Small-Projects Support (LDSPS)
the Syrian center for media and freedom of expression
The Day After

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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.