Report: UK sell weapons to third countries then criticize them for human rights abuses
June 28, 2021, 6:18 am

Report: UK sell weapons to third countries then criticize them for human rights abuses

UK arms

Sputnik reported that a new report has once again demonstrated double standards on part of the British government when it comes to trade with foreign countries. human rights

According to an analysis conducted by the London-based Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), between 2011-2020 the UK sold over $20 billion of arms and military equipment to third countries it has itself criticized over allegations of human rights violations, while they have also been subjected to arms embargoes and other forms of restrictions.

These countries include Egypt, Libya and Saudi Arabia, featured in the 30 Human Rights Priority Countries list, published by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office in November 2020, which makes them eligible for the UK's Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky') sanctions regime. These measures are claimed by the Brits to be necesssary for holding "abusers" accountable for their actions and to encourage foreign governments to "meet their international human rights obligations".

Apparently, when it comes to billions in trade and geopolitical interests, the UK government permits itself to ignore its own claims. As such, 21 out of these 30 alleged abusers have received weapons and military hardware from the UK, while 58 out of 73 countries subject to restrictions by the Department for International Trade (DIT) have received military equipment from London.

Weapons sold by the United Kingdom have not simply sat idle, being actively used in such conflict regions as Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels since 2015: more than half of the military aircraft licensed to the Saudis has in fact been used in Yemen.

"Right now, UK-made weapons are playing a devastating role in Yemen and around the world. The arms sales that are being pushed today could be used in atrocities and abuses for years to come", Andrew Smith of the CAAT told the Guardian, echoing rising calls from British activists to end arms trade with the Saudi Kingdom.

Simultaneously, this spring, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under fire when the opposition pressured him to explain why the government decided to cut its humanitarian aid to Yemen while continuing to sell arms to Saudi Arabia. And in June, ex-Labor leader Jeremy Corbin called in the UK government to cease arms trade with Israel, saying that British weapons are "killing children abroad".

Back in January, Murray Jones of Action on Armed Violence said that the UK's arms sales demonstrate what he called "a systemic failure to consider the human rights record of states before exporting weapons to them".

Boris Johnson has argued that the UK has been "scrupulously" following the consolidated international guidance on arms sales. human rights

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Source: Sputnik

Image source: AFP-Sputnik

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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.