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118 Syrian Organizations Call on the International Community to Assume Responsibility towards Afrin and all of Syria

The undersigned organizations demand; an immediate end to massive human rights violations in Afrin and all of Syria, fair accountability for perpetrators, safe and dignified return of original residents, and demographic change cessation
Five years have passed since Turkish military forces and a coalition of Türkiye-backed Syrian armed groups took over the entire district of Afrin in northern Syria. Living under occupation, locals of Afrin have been subjected to countless violations on a daily basis. The ongoing violations and the inflicted constant fear forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes without any hope of imminent return.
The Afrin offensive was simultaneous with another by the Syrian government forces and their Russian allies against Eastern Ghouta. Regime troops and allies recaptured Ghouta from rebels, after a blistering assault, which killed hundreds and ended in a Russia and Türkiye-brokered surrender deal. The deal transferred tens of thousands of opposition fighters and original residents out of the area and resettled them in parts of Syria’s north, including Afrin.
Independent international organizations and United Nations committees documented violations of various kinds in Afrin, including killing in unlawful attacks, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, ill-treatment, torture, looting, and confiscation of property. Furthermore, hindering the return of displaced original residents, especially the Kurds, as well as acts of Turkification and demographic change have been monitored.
Lack of accountability for these grave human rights violations, in addition to the persistence of impunity make the Turkish-occupied territories completely unsafe, and do not comply with the criteria of voluntary return set by the United Nations. All this while almost 70% of Afrin’s original residents are still forcibly displaced since 2018.
In its latest report, issued on 7 March 2023, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic confirmed the continuation of arbitrary arrests and detentions by the Syrian National Army (SNA) in Afrin. The Commission confirmed that witnesses interviewed for the purpose of the report revealed cases of beating, torture, and ill-treatment in places of detention and during interrogations, with the presence of Turkish officials. In addition, the Commission’s report cited cases of civilian property seizure with reports from interviewees of being prevented from regaining access to their properties and threatened if they tried to claim them back. Furthermore, the Commission said that it continued documenting cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence, perpetrated by SNA members, including of children.
As an occupying power, Türkiye has not assumed its responsibilities in areas under its influence in northern Syria, including Afrin. No real action has been taken by the Turkish authorities to ensure the protection of civilians; Türkiye rather gave its SNA proxies a free hand to commit human rights violations against the original residents of those areas. Even the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces failed to stop the human rights violations of the SNA, which supposedly operates under it. Therefore, the undersigned organizations urge the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures; to provide appropriate conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the residents of Afrin and all Syrians, to redress victims, and to punish perpetrators.
The signatory organizations make the recommendations below:
The United Nations
To cease attempts of ignoring and circumventing the situation in Afrin and other Syrian parts occupied by Türkiye, and compel the latter to assume its responsibilities as an occupying power under international law.
The Turkish Government
To stop politicizing the situation of northern Syria’s population and turning a blind eye to the human rights abuses that they have been subjected to. This is with the aim to evade recognizing the Turkish presence in Syria as an occupation; which has been already proven by international committees and human rights organizations citing Türkiye’s effective and direct control over northern Syrian territories.
To take all measures – within its authority – necessary to ensure public safety and order and provide special protection for women and children in the areas under its control and stop the gross violations of human rights that its forces and allied militias continue to commit against civilians.
The Human Rights Council/The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic: To provide a comprehensive and accurate briefing on the intertwined web of roles and interests of all foreign/external powers intervening in the Syrian conflict, and its reflection on the state of compliance with the International humanitarian law (IHL) international human rights law (IHRL).
Organizations and Associations Signing the Statement:
Act for Afrin
Adil Center for Human Righits
Afrin Platform
Afrinpost Network
AIN SHAMS Organization
ALAHD Organization
Allied for Peace
Al-Raja Organization for Relief and Development
Al-Zajel Organization
Amal Al-Furat organization
Amal For Development
Analysis and Strategic Study Organization ASO
Anwar Al-Ghad Organization
Aras Charity Association
Areej Organisation
Ashti Center for Peacebuilding
Assyrian Society for Helping and Development
AYADI Moubsra Organization
Azdehar Organization
Balsam Organization For Development
Better Life Organization
Better Tomorrow Organization
Center Defanse
Clemency Organization
Community Solidarity Organaization
DAN for Relief and Development
dari Center
Dawlaty
Dijla Organization for Development and Environment
Dya Al Aml Association
Ebdaa Organization for Development
Edraak Organization for Development and Peace
Enlil Center
Enma aljazera Organization
Environment and Water Association (EWAS)
Espoir Afrin
Eternity
Euphrates NGO
Ezdina Organization
Fariq Snnae al Mustaqbal
FDO Organization
For Feminist
For Them Organisation
Friends Charity Association
Green Women's Association
Happy land
Hdf Humanitarian
Hevy for Relief and Development
Hope Makers
House of Citizenship Organisation
Human Hope Team
Human Rights organizations Afrin - Syria
Human Rigts Organizatin In Jazeera
Humanitarian and Development Cooperation
Iwaa organizations
Jian Charity Association
Kesksyi Organization
Khutwa Association
Kurdische Gemeinschaft Herne ASO
Kurdish Committee for Human Rights (RASSED)
Kurdish Cultural Association of Geneva
Kurdish Feminist Voices
Kurdish Organization for Human Rights in Syria (DAD)
Laila Initiative
Lelun Association for Victims
Lights for Development and Construction
Manara Organization
Mary Association for Culture, Arts and Environment
Max Vison
Nama Organization
Nasmet Amal
Nujin Society for Community
Okkaz
Oxygen Shabab
PEACE SHE LEADERS NET WORK
Peace tent
PÊL- CIVIL WAVES
Purity Organization
Qadar Organization
QRD Organization
Qudwa Organization for Building and Development
Ras Al Ain/Serê Kaniyê Platform
Reng fore development
Rescue and Relief taem
RFD Organization
Rights Defense Initiative
RojHilat for Relief and Development
Rose for Support and Empowerment
SALAM. ORG
Sara Organization To Combat Violence Against Women
Sawaed Development Organization
Scsd
Shar for development
Share for Community Development
Shawshka Women's Association
Shilan Association for Relief and Development
Silav Organization for Civil Activities
Society for Threatened Peoples GfbV/STP
Stability Support Centre
Synergy Association for Victims
Syriac Cross Organization for Relief and Development
Syrian Cancer Society
Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network
Syrians for Truth and Justice
Taa marbouta
Tara Organization
Tel Abyad Forum for Civil Society
The Leading Woman
The Levant News
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression
Weqaya Association
Wheat Olive Platfrom
Women for Peace
Women of Hope
Youth For Change
Youth Optimistic
Zakon Organization
Zameen for Development and Peacebuilding
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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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