Lost Justice: Syrian Mothers Confront the Official Indifference to the Issue of the Detained
January 20, 2025, 8:12 pm

Lost Justice: Syrian Mothers Confront the Official Indifference to the Issue of the Detained

Shiyar khaleal

At the heart of the bleeding Syrian wound lies the issue of detainees and the forcibly disappeared, serving as a true test of justice and humanity. Behind this issue stand more than 130,000 individuals who have been forcibly disappeared, leaving behind shattered mothers who live on the edges of hope and despair, enduring the bitterness of waiting in silence that no one hears. The tragedy of Syrian mothers is not just a fleeting event in the midst of the crisis but a deafening cry demanding fundamental rights, a pain that permeates the very fabric of Syrian society.

In a scene that raises many moral and political questions, the caretaker Prime Minister, Ahmad al-Shara, met with the mother of missing American journalist Austin Tice. The meeting, set against a backdrop of intense media and diplomatic focus, reflects a political commitment to addressing the disappearance of an American citizen. Despite the importance of this meeting from a humanitarian standpoint, it casts a heavy shadow on the systematic neglect surrounding thousands of Syrian mothers who are still waiting for the slightest indication of concern for the fate of their detained sons. Why are doors opened for an individual case while closed to a collective tragedy that threatens the stability and future of Syrian society?

The issue of detainees is not simply a human rights file trapped in the labyrinths of politics; it is an open wound that hinders any attempts to discuss national reconciliation or build lasting peace. The Syrian mothers who are anxiously waiting to know the fate of their children only ask for their natural right to recover their loved ones or even to know their whereabouts, whether they are alive or dead. This ongoing neglect of their suffering reflects not only a lack of political will but also a profound failure to commit to the simplest principles of justice and fairness.

If the caretaker government, led by al-Shara, is unable to handle this sensitive file, the least it can do is to open the door for Syrian and international organizations specializing in human rights that are capable of taking practical steps to address this disaster. Past international experiences have proven that the shared will between governments and civil society can alleviate the impacts of such crises.

The experience of Argentina, which suffered from the disappearance of tens of thousands during the military dictatorship in the 1970s, can serve as a valuable lesson. After the regime's fall, truth and reconciliation committees were established to document violations, uncover the fates of the disappeared, and prosecute those responsible. The "Madres de Plaza de Mayo" played a pivotal role in pressuring the government to keep the issue of the disappeared alive, forcing authorities to act. This experience demonstrates that confronting the past courageously and addressing it legally and morally is the first step towards building a stable future.

Delaying action on the issue of the detained and forcibly disappeared in Syria threatens to ignite hatred and revenge from which no one will be spared. Each passing day without solutions amplifies the pain and anger of affected families. The absence of justice and lack of accountability for these crimes entrench a culture of impunity and deepen societal fractures that threaten any discussion of stability or peace.

Syrian mothers are the living voice of conscience for this wounded nation. Their tears and pain are no less important than any international cause that garners attention. Justice begins with listening to them, revealing the fate of their sons, and taking practical steps to restore dignity to them and their families. If al-Shara's government cannot do this, the least it can do is open the door for human rights organizations capable of leading this issue in a manner befitting its size and importance.

The Syria we dream of will not be built on the neglect of rights or the denial of grievances. Justice is not a luxury; it is a fundamental condition for rebuilding trust among Syrians and achieving genuine reconciliation that ends the psychological and societal devastation. Syrian mothers carry a cry for justice that must be heard, not only to close the file of the detainees but also to end a dark chapter in the history of this homeland and open the doors of hope for a new Syria characterized by peace and justice.

by: Shiyar khaleal

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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.